Starting a nonprofit in Pennsylvania follows the same two milestones as anywhere else, forming a state corporation and getting federal 501(c)(3) status, but Pennsylvania adds a docketing statement, a newspaper advertising step, and charity registration before you fundraise. Here is the order Pennsylvania founders should follow.
The Pennsylvania-specific steps
- File Articles of Incorporation for a nonprofit with a Docketing Statement to the Department of State, Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations, including the IRS-required purpose and dissolution language. The filing fee is $125.
- Advertise your intent to incorporate. Pennsylvania requires publishing notice in two general-circulation newspapers, one a legal journal where possible. Keep the proofs of publication in your corporate records.
- Get your federal EIN from the IRS. It is free, and you need it before you can apply for tax-exempt status.
- Adopt bylaws and a conflict of interest policy that carry the same charitable purpose and dissolution language as your incorporation documents.
- Apply for federal 501(c)(3) status using Form 1023-EZ or the full Form 1023.
- Apply for Pennsylvania sales tax exemption using Form REV-72 with the Department of Revenue, online through myPATH. The department must approve the exemption before it applies; your federal determination letter supports the application.
- Register to solicit donations by filing Form BCO-10 with the Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations before you fundraise. Organizations receiving $25,000 or less in annual contributions that pay no one to solicit are not required to register.
Pennsylvania fees and timelines
Pennsylvania's incorporation fee is $125. Helpfully, the new annual report for nonprofits, which replaced the old decennial report, carries no fee. Add the federal IRS user fee ($275 for the 1023-EZ or $600 for the full Form 1023) and any charity-registration fees. Because state fees change, confirm current amounts with the Department of State and Department of Revenue before filing.
A note on accuracy
State requirements and fees change over time. Use this as a roadmap, then verify current forms and amounts with Pennsylvania's official agencies, or let us confirm them with you on a free call.
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Explore 501(c)(3) Filing →The federal step is the same everywhere
Once your Pennsylvania corporation exists and you have an EIN, the federal 501(c)(3) application is identical to any other state. Most small nonprofits file the 1023-EZ; see our 1023 vs 1023-EZ guide to confirm which fits. For the complete national process, read our step-by-step guide to starting a nonprofit, and our cost breakdown for every fee.
Starting a nonprofit in another state?
The federal steps are the same in all 50 states; only the state incorporation, tax exemption, and charitable registration details differ. See our guides for North Carolina, Michigan, Arizona, or browse all our guides. Not sure where to start? Book a free call and we will map the exact steps and current fees for your state.