What Qualifies As A Science Nonprofit
When starting non profit scientific organizations, especially when applying for 501c3 status, the IRS will have a three part question about the program’s activities:
- Are they scientific?
- Are they based on research?
- Are they in the public interest?
You can demonstrate public interest if your data is freely available to the public, or if it’s done for a government agency. There is also a non-exhaustive list of other research activities that benefit the public, like helping the scientific education of university students or discovering the cure for a disease.
Research & development for a private corporation, however, is not in the public interest and does not qualify as a 501c3.
Starting Up
There are a few things that every science nonprofit needs when starting up to become a viable institution. They include:
- Name
- Mission
- Website
- Incorporation
- Board of Directors
- 501c3 Status
- Funds
This can seem like a lot, but the community at BryteBridge Nonprofit Solutions has all the information and guidance you need so you can hit the ground running on your research instead of dealing with snags and forgotten forms. If you have a great idea, contact us and talk to one of our consultants so we can help you figure out exactly what you need to make it happen.