Affiliate With US
set up your non-profit
the what:
What is a non-profit?
A nonprofit organization, also known as a nonbusiness entity or nonprofit institution, and often referred to simply as a nonprofit, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public, or social benefit, as opposed to an entity that operates as a business aiming to generate a profit for its owners.
What is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization?
501(c)(3) is the primary nonprofit status through which donations made to the organization are tax-deductible. 501(c)(3) status is regulated and administered by the US Department of Treasury through the Internal Revenue Service.
What is the difference between a non-profit and a tax exempt 501(c)(3)?
Many people mistakenly believe that all nonprofits automatically have 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, however:
- Non-profit status refers to state-law corporate status.
- Tax-exempt status refers to state and federal tax exemption under tax regulations.
What are the advantages of establishing a tax-exempt organization?
- Tax deductibility of donations to the organization; you can give tax-deductible receipts for all cash and non-cash donations.
- Limited liability for directors and officers for operations of the organization.
- Perpetual existence. The corporation continues on after the departure of the founder(s).
- Lower non-profit postage rates for mailings (bulk rates).
- Government and private grants may be available for tax-exempt organizations.
- The tax-exempt status is permanent, unless rules and guidelines for tax-exemption are not adhered to.
- Often exempt from paying state and local sales tax, property tax and taxes on other assets (varies as states have different rules).
What is affiliation with the CFN Network?
When you have decided to start up a non-profit ministry, it is important for your ministry to belong to something “greater than yourself.”
The CFN Network has a special recognition called a “group exemption” from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
This group exemption allows the Network to bring established non-profit organizations under its umbrella for the purpose of becoming recognized as a
501(c)(3) tax exempt non-profit organization.
the how:
Can you help me set up my non-profit?
The CFN Network works closely with a trusted ministry partner that will assist you in your non-profit set-up.
The following services are included:
- Introduction of the necessary steps and coaching throughout the process
- Completion of intake form (obtaining necessary information to start the process)
- Filing Name Reservation (if needed)
- Preparing and filing non-profit application
- Obtaining Employer Identification Number (EIN)
- Preparation of documents for organizational meeting.
- Preparation of banking resolution.
- Preparation of Bylaws.
- Policy documents.
- Filing application of sales tax and franchise tax exemption.
- On going phone calls or Zoom calls to answer questions for 9 months.
Please contact our office at admin@cfnnetwork.org if you would like us to connect you to our ministry partner.
Affiliation FAQ
Please reach us at admin@cfnnetwork.org if you have more questions regarding affiliation.
Both of these opportunities allow ministries and churches to link arms with the CFN Network.
Ministries/churches affiliating with the CFN Network can choose whether they would like to pursue their own 501(c)(3) status or get drafted under the umbrella of the CFN Network group exemption. This benefit does not apply to partnership. Partner ministries that wish to take advantage of this tax shield need to submit the affiliation application.
Partnership provides additional benefits such as:
- Free access to job board
- Free credentialing for up to 5 leaders
- Discount to conferences
- 30% discount online tuition at CFNI
- 15% discount on campus tuition (domestics only, one discount per partnership)
- 10% discount on campus tuition (internationals only)
An application for a new affiliation with CFN Network is divided into 4 steps:
1. Submission
You will begin by submitting our online application for Ministry/Church Membership using THIS LINK. You will need to provide a recommendation from a ministry leader (minimum of 5 years senior church leadership experience such as senior pastor, executive pastor, director, full-time pastor, etc.). At the end of the application, you will also make your payment.
2. Recommendation
Upon completion of your form, we will send the recommendation form to the contact of the recommender you provided in your application. Once we receive that recommendation, we will be able to contact you to confirm the completion of your application to schedule your interview.
3. Interview
Your interview will be hosted by either our director or one of our Spiritual Leaders. The purpose of this interview is to get to know you and your ministry/church better while reviewing the information you shared in your application. This interview will be held online.
4. Approval
Post-interview, you will be notified whether you have been approved for membership to the Network. If approved, we will confirm your new membership status in a follow up email, and mail you your Certificate of Affiliation to the address of your ministry/church that was included in your application.
An application for an affiliation renewal with CFN Network is divided into 2 steps:
1. Submission
You must submit your affiliation renewal form through either THIS LINK, or you can request a mail-in form. Please be prepared to provide accurate and updated information in your renewal form submission. Ministry/Church information needed will look like updates and/or changes (if applicable) on:
· Board of Directors/Board meetings held/Minutes on file for meetings
· Constitution/By-laws
· Ministry Activities (i.e., “year in review”)
· Latest 990 tax filing
· Financial Report
At the end of the renewal form, you will also submit your payment to finalize your renewal.
2. Confirmation
Once you have submitted your annual affiliation renewal form, our office will produce a letter confirming your annual renewal and the maintenance of your affiliation status for the prospective year. The letter will be mailed to the address you provided in your renewal form. Please provide an accurate address so your letter reaches you.
The application cost for first-time affiliation is $360.00 ($260 annual affiliation membership + $100 application fee).
The annual renewal cost for the affiliation is $260.00.
As evidence of your new-standing affiliation with the CFN Network, you will receive a Certificate of Affiliation confirming your membership under the Network.
Yes we do! Please reference our Ministry/Church Affiliation Handbook below for more details.
Ministry Resources
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