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Start a Mississippi nonprofit for FREE*

Register your nonprofit in Mississippi for free with a Rocket Legal+ membership

Start a nonprofit in Mississippi
Register your Mississippi nonprofit with Rocket Legal+ and Start Up Confidently

Start Up Confidently with a new nonprofit in Mississippi

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Mississippi nonprofit FAQs

  • What is a nonprofit organization? 

    A nonprofit is an entity or association created to promote and maintain the well-being and greater good of a community, in which profits (or surplus) are directed towards the business and mission rather than divided among the owners and shareholders. Nonprofits are often tax exempt. There are several different types of nonprofits, each with its own purpose, structure, regulations and limitations, and tax implications.

  • What are the advantages and disadvantages to having a Mississippi nonprofit?

    Advantages:

    • Assets or property at risk in lawsuits or creditor claims belong to the organization and attach only to its assets and property, not to personal property of trustees, officers, or managers.
    • Nonprofits may qualify for tax-exemption.
    • Registration creates a legal buffer between the organization, on one hand, and trustees, officers, and members in management, leadership, and governance, on the other.

    Disadvantages:

    • Significant time and effort are expended when planning nonprofits.
    • If control, autonomy, and independence in corporate governance are key values to you, nonprofit status is not well-suited to your needs.
    • Time and money requirements for Mississippi formation and meeting filing requirements can be prohibitive.
  • How to start a nonprofit in Mississippi?

    Starting your nonprofit in Mississippi doesn’t have to be a complicated process. Here are a few simple steps:

    1. Doing research. Is your nonprofit serving a mission in the community? And do you have the means to maintain it?
    2. Making your case. Write your mission statement, think about a name, select your directors carefully.
    3. Filing. Rocket Lawyer can help you with this step!
  • Are nonprofits and 501(c)(3)s the same thing?

    Although they’re used interchangeably, a 501(c)(3) and a nonprofit are not the same thing. 

    A nonprofit is an organization that meets the requirements of its state law. While most people think of nonprofits as charitable organizations, states recognize many types of nonprofits, including many that do not perform charitable activities. Insurance companies, industry-specific professional societies, homeowners' associations, and social clubs are just a few examples of nonprofits that are not necessarily 501(c)(3) organizations. 

    A 501(c)(3) organization, on the other hand, is an additional application on a federal level. It’s a nonprofit organization that is exempt from most state and federal income tax because it applied for recognition as exempt from tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. A 501(c)(3) organization must operate for exempt purposes. The exempt purpose must be charitable, scientific, educational, religious, literary, public safety, amateur sports competition, or the prevention of cruelty to children or animals.

    In addition to 501(c)(3), the IRS recognizes 26 other types of nonprofit organizations. The most familiar type is charitable organizations. Others include:

    • 501(c)(4) Civic League, Social Welfare Organization, or Local Employee Association.
    • 501(c)(5) Labor, Agricultural and Horticultural.
    • 501(c)(6) Trade or Professional Association.
    • 501(c)(7) Social or Recreational Club.
    • 501(c)(8) Fraternal Societies.
    • 501(c)(9) Employee Beneficiary Association.
    • 501(c)(12) Local Benevolent Life Insurance Associations, Mutual Irrigation and Telephone Companies, and Like Organizations.
    • 501(c)(14) State Chartered Credit Union and Mutual Reserve Fund.
    • 501(c)(19) Veterans Organizations.
    • 501(c)(29) CO-OP Health Insurance Issuers.
  • What are the requirements and mandatory forms for starting a nonprofit in Mississippi?

    When creating a Mississippi nonprofit, you must satisfy a few requirements. Here is a roadmap:

    • File Articles of Incorporation with the Office of the Secretary of State. 
    • File Resolution Designating Mississippi Agent to identify name and address of your Mississippi-based registered agent. 
    • File Nonprofit Status Report if requested by the Office of the Secretary of State. The Status Report is akin to a for-profit corporation's Annual Report. It may be requested every five years. A Status Report may be voluntarily filed by a nonprofit at any time, in hard copy.
  • How much does it cost to form a Mississippi nonprofit?

    Fees for registering a nonprofit can differ from county to county and even specific times of the year. Some fees may also be dependent on how much the nonprofit is expected to earn or has earned in previous years. 

    There are a few fees that you may be charged when you register an Mississippi nonprofit. They include the following:

    Mississippi state filing fees and processing times

    • State fee: $52.12.
      • Fee to expedite your filing: $60.
    • State processing time: 5 business days.
      • Expedited state processing time: 2 to 3 business days.
    • Rocket Lawyer state filing fee: $0 $99.99.
      • First filing FREE* for RocketLegal+ members.
      • Get additional filings HALF OFF with RocketLegal+.

    501C IRS filing fees and processing times

    • IRS exemption-status fee: $275 for shorter applications or $600 for applications requiring more detailed information (including LLCs, organizations with higher income or value, foreign organizations, churches, schools, some healthcare organizations and some research organizations).
    • IRS processing time: typically 6-12 months.
      • Simple applications may be processed more quickly.
    • Rocket Lawyer IRS filing fee: $599 $1,199.
      • RocketLegal+ members get HALF OFF.

    The Business Services team at Rocket Lawyer are pros when it comes to the requirements for registering a nonprofit and the steps and processes required to file in Mississippi. They can help you gather and file the necessary information quickly and at an affordable price. Rocket Legal+ members get their first business registration filing for free, paying only the state filing fees, and also get access to professional services for up to half off, including registered agent services, tax prep and filing, trademark registration, and more.

    If your nonprofit does not have a physical address in Mississippi (P.O. boxes are not acceptable substitutions), you may be required to have a registered agent. Registered agents accept official and legal correspondence on behalf of your organization. While you are setting up your nonprofit, why not set up Rocket Lawyer as your registered agent at the same time? Better yet, if you have a Rocket Legal+ membership, you can save on your business registration and your registered agent services with the membership that pays for itself.

  • How much can businesses save with Rocket Legal+?

    Businesses can save up to $2,500 per year with a Rocket Legal+™ membership. This calculation is based on total savings on an initial business registration and registered agent, trademark, and business tax filing services for Rocket Legal+ members (a total cost of $924.97) compared to Rocket Legal members (a total cost of $1,949.96). This is in addition to savings on the average cost of 5 hours for document preparation by a non-Rocket Lawyer network attorney at the average attorney hourly rate in the U.S. of $300 (an estimated cost of $1,500 when purchased without any form of Rocket Lawyer membership) compared to unlimited use of customizable business documents for both Rocket Legal+ and Rocket Legal members at no extra cost.

  • Can I apply for grants or loans if I have a nonprofit organization in Mississippi?

    Yes. One resource for finding grants and loans for Mississippi nonprofits includes the Foundation for the Mid South. The foundation's mission is to invest in people and strategies that build philanthropy and promote equity in Mississippi.

    Grants may be for a general purpose, or they can help meet the operating expenses of your organization. If a grant is awarded for a specific project, you should take steps to restrict the funds to that project.

  • What is a mission statement? How do I write one?

    A mission statement clarifies your goals and explains how you plan to meet them. As a guideline, describe what, where, when, and how your nonprofit's purpose will be met, as well as who is going to help your nonprofit meet it. It may take a few tries to narrow your ambitions down into a workable plan.

    Although you're creating a nonprofit because you want to give back to your community, you still have to meet certain requirements to protect yourself and to ensure that you achieve your organization's goals. When you create a mission statement, you can explain your organization's purpose. Consider what problem or issue your organization wants to address, then focus your statement on including the efforts and values that will guide your nonprofit to these goals.

  • How do I retain my nonprofit status in Mississippi?

    Not-for-profit organizers focus on securing their nonprofit status. After achieving that objective, focus shifts to retaining that status. We understand those concerns and assist you in meeting requirements to retain your nonprofit status:

    • Articles of Incorporation: File with the Secretary of State's Office and pay a filing fee.
    • Resolution Designating Mississippi Agent: File with Secretary of State and pay a filing fee.
    • Status Report(s): File with the Secretary of State, if requested, or any time voluntarily and pay a filing fee. Must be filed in hard copy format, as there are no online capabilities.
    • Organizational Meeting: Once formed as a nonprofit, you must hold an organizational meeting. The meeting must take place within 2 years of the date of formation under state law or the nonprofit's charter is void.
    • Charity Registration: Further registration as a charity may be required if you will be soliciting funds from the public, including online. Contact the Secretary of State's Securities and Charities Enforcement Division for information.
    • FEIN: Obtain a federal employee identification number (FEIN) from the IRS.
    • Unemployment Insurance Registration: If you have employees, register for unemployment insurance with Mississippi Department of Employment Security.
    • Keep Records: State law requires you to record accounting information, minutes of all members and board of directors' meetings, and a list of members. The state code specifies the full list of records that must be maintained by a organization.
    • Trademark and Service Mark Registration: Register with state (Mississippi Secretary of State) and federal (U.S. Patent and Trademark Office) authorities if you will be using trademarks or service marks.
  • I live in Mississippi. Do I need to file my nonprofit in any other state?

    If you are planning to operate in another state, you may need to register a nonprofit in that state. Rocket Lawyer can help you determine which states you should register in.

    Other states may have their own rules for foreign nonprofits that originate in Mississippi or domestic nonprofits that also operate in Mississippi. Talk to an attorney to understand the legal and tax requirements for the state(s) in which you plan to operate.

    AlabamaLouisianaOhio
    AlaskaMaineOklahoma
    ArizonaMarylandOregon
    ArkansasMassachusettsPennsylvania
    CaliforniaMichiganRhode Island
    ColoradoMinnesotaSouth Carolina
    ConnecticutMississippiSouth Dakota
    DelawareMissouriTennessee
    FloridaMontanaTexas
    GeorgiaNebraskaUtah
    HawaiiNevadaVermont
    IdahoNew HampshireVirginia
    IllinoisNew JerseyWashington D.C.
    IndianaNew MexicoWashington
    IowaNew YorkWest Virginia
    KansasNorth CarolinaWisconsin
    KentuckyNorth DakotaWyoming

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