Starting a nonprofit is overwhelming. We make it simple.
Most first-time founders hit an early wall the moment they try to open a bank account or file for tax-exempt status. Both require an EIN for a nonprofit — an Employer Identification Number — and no one told them they needed one yet. It sounds like paperwork for a big company with staff. It is not. Every nonprofit needs one, even with zero employees.
The good news: getting an EIN is one of the easier steps in the whole process. It is free, it is fast, and you do it directly with the IRS. Here is exactly how, in the right order, so you do not have to redo it later.
What this guide covers
What an EIN is and why your nonprofit needs one
An EIN is a nine-digit number the IRS uses to identify your organization, a bit like a Social Security Number for your nonprofit. You will need it for three things right away: opening a bank account, hiring anyone down the road, and applying for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status.
That last one is the big one. The IRS will not process your Form 1023 or Form 1023-EZ without an EIN already on file. Having an EIN does not make you tax-exempt on its own — it is simply the account number the IRS needs before it can review your exemption.
When to get your EIN — the right order
Order matters, and getting it wrong causes delays. Do these three things in sequence:
- Form your entity with your state. File your articles of incorporation so your nonprofit legally exists.
- Get your EIN. Apply once the entity is formed and you have settled on your legal name.
- File for 501(c)(3) status. Use your new EIN to complete Form 1023-EZ or Form 1023.
Apply for the EIN before you incorporate and your paperwork can end up under a name that no longer matches. Do it after formation and everything lines up cleanly.
How to get an EIN for a nonprofit in four steps
The fastest route is the free online application on the IRS website. It is open weekdays, and it issues your number the moment you finish.
1. Gather your details
You will need your nonprofit's exact legal name and address, the type of entity, and the name and taxpayer ID of your responsible party. Have your formation date handy too.
2. Open the IRS application
Go straight to the IRS EIN application. It is always free. Ignore any third-party site that charges a fee to "get your EIN for you" — you never have to pay for this.
3. Complete it in one sitting
The form takes about 15 minutes. It does not save partway through, so set aside a few uninterrupted minutes. Choose "view additional types" and then the nonprofit or other option that fits your organization.
4. Save your confirmation
You get your EIN on screen immediately. Download and save the confirmation letter (the CP 575). Your bank and the IRS will both ask for it.
One partner, in the right order.
Formation, EIN, and 501(c)(3) filing all have to line up, or your application stalls. We handle the sequence for you: your paperwork prepared and filed the way the IRS expects it, plus a donation-ready website in 7 to 14 days. Flat fees. Built only for nonprofits. Backed by a 100% IRS approval record.
See 501(c)(3) Filing →What the "responsible party" means
The application asks for a responsible party. This is simply the individual who controls or manages the organization — usually a founder or a board officer. Two rules trip people up: the responsible party must be a real person, not another company, and that person must have a Social Security Number or ITIN.
If your responsible party changes later — say a founder steps off the board — you do not reapply. You file Form 8822-B with the IRS within 60 days to update the record. Note it now so it does not slip through the cracks.
This is general information, not legal or tax advice. IRS forms and procedures change, so confirm current details with the IRS or a qualified professional before you rely on them.
After your EIN: filing for 501(c)(3)
With your EIN in hand, you are ready for the step that actually makes you tax-exempt: your IRS Form 1023-EZ. In a year when foundation funding is harder to win and more new nonprofits are competing for it, getting recognized quickly and cleanly matters. Funders want to see a real 501(c)(3), and a stalled application costs you months.
That is where the pieces have to fit together. Your formation paperwork, your EIN, your 501(c)(3) application, and the grant applications that follow all depend on one another. We handle the hard parts, in the right order, so nothing stalls. One partner, flat fees, built only for nonprofits.