09/13/2025
Want to be a rescue? Here is the unedited guide passed to me. It’s just paperwork and a few dollars. Help make a difference! You can do this too. Any rescue would love to assist in advice in knowledge.
Becoming a 501c3
1. Incorporate as a nonprofit ✔️
https://dos.myflorida.com/sunbiz/ ($87.50)
2. Prepare Bylaws & Conflict of Interest (Fiverr?) ✔️ https://www.fiverr.com/s2/0d33013717 ($60)
3. Obtain EIN ✔️
https://irs.ein-tax-id-number.com/non-profit-organization/
4. Set up bank account for nonprofit ✔️
PERSONAL MONEY DEPOSITED NEEDS TO BE DOCUMENTED AS A LOAN AND REPAID. KEEP GOOD RECORDS. OTHER EXPENSES PAID PRIVATELY NEED TO RECORDED AS DONATION.
5. page ✔️
6. Business Plan (Fiverr) https://www.fiverr.com/s2/5af9f96775 ($90)
7. Solicitation of Contributions registration. ✔️
Small business does not have to pay fee (less than $50k annual revenue). If revenue goes above 50k then it needs to be registered, fee of $75, within 30 days, or penalty. (Called 8/16/23 and was told that the limit went from 25k to 50K)
Set up account:
https://csapp.fdacs.gov/csrep/
Florida Dept of Agriculture
Help Line: 850-410-3800
8. Set up account to file for 501c3. If filing long form 1023 you will need to type in 1023 in the search.
https://www.pay.gov/public/home
9. File form 1023 ($600) or 1023 EZ ($275), for 501c3 status.
IRS help line 1-877-829-5500
NTEE Code:
D20 Animal Protection and Welfare (includes Humane Societies and SPCAs)
To search for Determination Letter:
https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/search-for-tax-exempt-organizations
10. Form DR-5. Application for a Consumer’s Certificate of Exemption.
For the following states, you are tax-exempt upon notifying the state that you have IRS 501(c)(3) status (requirements differ as to what must accompany the notification, whether just the IRS Determination Letter, or also Articles, Bylaws, etc.): Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington D.C.
https://floridarevenue.com/taxes/businesses/Pages/nonprofit_sales_tax.aspx
11. After 501c3 status sign up for nonprofit benefits:
https://walmart.org/what-we-do/strengthening-community/spark-good-getting-started
(Walmart program to help with donations, fundraising and other benefits)
https://catalog.good360.org/marketplace/registration
(Miscellaneous goods from places like Amazon)
12. Need to create separate nonprofit business accounts with Amazon, Walmart, etc. Do not commingle personal with business.
https://business.amazon.com/en/work-with-us/nonprofit
Need to set up wish lists: Walmart, Amazon, chewy.com, California pet meds(?)...
13. Website ✔️
k9rescueandsanctuary.org
14. Free nonprofit accounting software
https://zipbooks.com/blog/free-quickbooks-for-nonprofits/
15. Program to help manage adoptions, fosters, pet history, medical records and more. Free if you agree to have them accept adoption fees through their site.
www.Petstablished.com ✔️
16. Set up accounts with adopt-a-pet ✔️ and/or others...
17. Look into setting up different ways to receive donations.
18. Look into Google Drive and Google calendar for sharing and keeping track of ??
19. Find template for volunteers (adults sign hold harmless - minors parents sign hold harmless & parental consent) Maybe on Petstablished 🤔
20. Find templates for surrender, fosters, & adoptions.
(Make sure on surrenders that the verbiage is very specific that they cannot take the animal back. Adoptions must include clause holding K9 harmless from any issue relating to the dog after it has been adopted. The dog becomes the adopters sole responsibility.)
Maybe on Petstablished 🤔
21. Buy or create THANK YOU cards for donors to be sent out as needed. For repeat donors at least twice a year.
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Annual Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax - form 990
https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-990
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