Can I publish my non-profit website if I have not yet registered the organization?

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question I started a non-profit organization 2 years ago. I have been collecting money from friends to help fund a free education program for poor children in other parts of the world.

It gets bigger everyday, and we need more funds so I started building our website myself. So my question is - can I publish the website and start collecting donations from the public even though my non profit has not been officially registered? My friends suggest that I publish the website, but I would like to know if it is legal and what are the consequences. Thank you.

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Bukie

Lead Consultant

November 25, 2009

You are not a non-profit organization until the state says you are

The process of becoming a non-profit is quite involved, but that is what gives you the license to collect donations in the first place. Until then, any monies collected are subject to taxes. So putting up your non-profit website right now and asking for donations from the public will definitely have some consequences. Most donors want to know if their contributions are tax-deductible - which is false in this case. Please view this page on the IRS Website for more information.

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