1. Pick the right car. 

Nonprofits are like cars, they all drive on the highway but there are many different kinds. There are a LOT of different types of nonprofits (c3, c4, c5, c6, private foundations, orgs with voting members, with non-voting members, with chapters, with affiliates) so be SURE you know what kind of nonprofit you should choose before you start.

2. Not everything that does good in the world needs to be a nonprofit. 

Just because you want to do good deeds doesn’t mean it is automatically supposed to be a charity. Look at Tom's Shoes – they give away a pair of shoes to a child in need with each pair sold. They do good deeds and are still a for-profit company. Make sure you know why you'd chose one over the other.

3. Figure out where you will get funding from. 

Sometimes people think that once they start a nonprofit and get tax exemption money will fall from the sky…but that's not usually how it works. What's your plan for fundraising and what's it going to take to run the organization?

4. Think about what your programming will be – specifically. It's easy to have a 'big idea' but not think about the specifics. Have you put the cart way before the horse? Who cares what the bylaws say about the President's duties or the nominating committee if you don't even have an outline of how you'll actually do stuff…which is information you need to know for your IRS application – hint! : )

5. Find professionals to help you. If you're reading this you probably aren't an expert in nonprofit accounting, policy best practices or IRS tax exempt entity compliance. You don't know what you don't know – as they say. You'll be competing with other nonprofits for every dollar you raise. Make sure you put your best foot forward by finding professionals in law, accounting, HR, insurance, etc. so you present yourselves well.

Trying to sort through everything you need to know is tiring and overwhelming. How do you know which sources are right and whether you even have all the information? 

You're not a tax attorney, accountant or nonprofit governance expert. 

You're excited about the mission and vision you're trying to create. 

What can you do? What can't you do? 

You already know setting things up right in the beginning will save you a lot of time, effort, and legal untangling down the road. This is why taking the time to go through all of your options, with someone that understands how to navigate this journey, can get you started off on the right foot.

Getting through this phase quickly and efficiently can allow you to focus on your mission, and let you do what you set out to do in the first place: solve a problem, create change, and make a difference.