Instructions for Form 1023-EZ (01/2023)

Streamlined Application for Recognition of Exemption Under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code

Section references are to the Internal Revenue Code unless otherwise noted.

Revised: 01/2023


Instructions for Form 1023-EZ - Introductory Material

Future Developments

For the latest information about developments related to Form 1023-EZ and its instructions, such as legislation enacted after they were published, go to IRS.gov/Form1023EZ.

Reminder

Don’t include social security numbers on publicly disclosed forms. Because the IRS is required to disclose approved exemption applications and information returns, exempt organizations should not include social security numbers on these forms. Documents subject to disclosure include correspondence with the IRS about the filing.

Photographs of Missing Children

The Internal Revenue Service is a proud partner with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children® (NCMEC). Photographs of missing children selected by the Center may appear in instructions on pages that would otherwise be blank.You can help bring these children home by looking at the photographs and calling 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) if you recognize a child.

Email Subscription

The IRS has established a subscription-based email service for tax professionals and representatives of tax-exempt organizations. Subscribers will receive periodic updates from the IRS regarding exempt organization tax law and regulations, available services, and other information. To subscribe, visit IRS.gov/Charities.

General Instructions

“You” and “Us.”

Throughout these instructions and Form 1023-EZ, the terms “you” and “your” refer to the organization that is applying for tax-exempt status. The terms “us” and “we” refer to the Internal Revenue Service.

Purpose of Form

Form 1023-EZ is the streamlined version of Form 1023, Application for Recognition of Exemption Under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Any organization may file Form 1023 to apply for recognition of exemption from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3). Only certain organizations are eligible to file Form 1023-EZ (see Who Can File This Form, below).

Note.

Most organizations seeking exemption from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) are required to complete and submit an application. However, the following types of organizations may be considered tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) even if they do not file Form 1023 or Form 1023-EZ.

  • Churches, including synagogues, temples, and mosques.

  • Integrated auxiliaries of churches and conventions or associations of churches.

  • Any organization that has gross receipts in each taxable year of normally not more than $5,000.

Who Can File This Form

Only certain organizations are eligible to apply for exemption under section 501(c)(3) using Form 1023-EZ. To determine if you are eligible to file Form 1023-EZ, you must complete the Form 1023-EZ Eligibility Worksheet.

This is an Image: caution.gif If you answer “Yes” to any of the worksheet questions, you are not eligible to apply for exemption under section 501(c)(3) using Form 1023-EZ. You must apply on Form 1023. If you answer “No” to all of the worksheet questions, you may apply using Form 1023-EZ.

This is an Image: taxtip.gifBefore completing either Form 1023 or Form 1023-EZ, we recommend reading “Life Cycle of an Exempt Organization” at IRS.gov/Charities.

How To File

Form 1023-EZ can only be filed electronically by going to IRS.gov/Form1023EZ or Pay.gov (enter the term “Form 1023-EZ” in the search box). We will not accept printed copy submissions of the application.

This is an Image: taxtip.gifWe recommend you preview and print a copy of your application for your records before submitting it electronically.

User Fee

A user fee is required to process your application. This fee must be paid through Pay.gov when you file your application. Payments can be made directly from your bank account or by credit/debit card. For the current exempt organization user fee amounts, go to IRS.gov/charities-non-profits/user-fees-for-tax-exempt-and-government-entities-division. You can also call 877-829-5500.

When To File (Effective Date of Exemption)

Generally, if you file Form 1023-EZ within 27 months after the end of the month in which you were legally formed, and we approve the application, the legal date of formation will be the effective date of your exempt status.

If you do not file Form 1023-EZ within 27 months of formation, the effective date of your exempt status will be the date you filed Form 1023-EZ (submission date).

If you have been in existence for more than 27 months, and you believe you qualify for an earlier effective date of the exemption for the organization than the submission date, you can now only request the earlier effective date by completing Form 1023 in its entirety instead of completing Form 1023-EZ.

Note.

If you have been automatically revoked and are seeking retroactive reinstatement, see Part V. Reinstatement After Automatic Revocation of these instructions.

Application Process

Submitting this application does not guarantee exemption will be recognized. If your application is incomplete or not completed correctly, it may be rejected. In addition, you may be contacted for additional information. Also, the IRS will select a statistically valid random sample of applications for pre-determination reviews, which may also result in requests for additional information.

Signature Requirements

An officer, director, or trustee listed in Part I, line 8, who is authorized to sign for the organization must sign Form 1023-EZ. The signature must be accompanied by the title or authority of the signer and the date.

Annual Filing Requirements

Generally, an organization that qualifies for exemption under section 501(c)(3) is required to file an annual return in accordance with section 6033(a). However, an eligible organization, other than a private foundation, that normally has gross receipts of $50,000 or less is not required to file an annual return, but must furnish an annual electronic notice on Form 990-N (e-Postcard) providing the information required by section 6033(i). See Rev. Proc. 2011-15, 2011-3 I.R.B. 322. Failure to file a required return or notice for 3 consecutive years will result in auto-revocation of your tax-exempt status.

An organization that is required to file a Form 990-series annual information return or submit Form 990-N must do so even if its application for recognition of exemption has not been filed or has been filed but not yet approved.

If an annual information return or tax return is due while Form 1023-EZ is pending, complete the return, check the “Application pending” box in the heading, and send the return to the address indicated in the instructions.

If Form 990-N is due while Form 1023-EZ is pending, the organization may need to contact the IRS at 877-829-5500 and ask for an account to be established for the organization so that it may file the notice.

Information on annual information return and electronic notice filing requirements and exceptions to the filing requirements may be found in Pub. 557 and at IRS.gov/Charities.

Form 1023-EZ does not allow you to request an exception to filing Form 990, Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax; Form 990-EZ, Short Form Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax; or Form 990-N. If your request for recognition of tax-exempt status is granted on Form 1023-EZ, you will be required to submit Form 990, 990-EZ, or 990-N depending on your gross receipts and assets. If you believe that you meet an exception to filing Form 990, 990-EZ, or 990-N, and wish to obtain that exception at the time of filing your application, then you should submit Form 1023 instead of Form 1023-EZ. Otherwise, you may request IRS recognition of this exception by filing Form 8940, Request for Miscellaneous Determination. A user fee must accompany Form 8940.

Note.

You do not need to notify the IRS that you are excepted from the annual filing requirement under section 6033(a) if your basis for the exception is that you are not a private foundation, your gross receipts are normally $50,000 or less, and you are filing Form 990-N.

Public Inspection

Information available for public inspection.

If we approve exempt status under section 501(c)(3), both you and the IRS must make your application and related documents available for public inspection. For more information, please go to IRS.gov/Charities-&-Non-Profits/Exempt-Organization-Public-Disclosure-and-Availability-Requirements.

State Registration Requirements

Tax exemption under section 501(c)(3) is a matter of federal law. After receiving federal tax exemption, you may also be required to register with one or more states to solicit contributions or to obtain exemption from state taxes. The National Association of State Charity Officials (NASCO) maintains a website that provides informational links to the various states for these purposes. It can be accessed at nasconet.org.

Donor Reliance on a Favorable Determination

Generally, donors and contributors may rely on an organization’s favorable Determination Letter under section 501(c)(3) until the IRS publishes notice of a change in status, unless the donor or contributor was responsible for or aware of the act or failure to act that results in the revocation of the organization’s Determination Letter. See Rev. Proc. 2018-32, 1028-23 I.R.B. 739.

Specific Instructions

Before completing the Form 1023-EZ, you must complete the Form 1023-EZ Eligibility Worksheet. If you meet the eligibility requirements, you must check the box at the top of Form 1023-EZ to attest that you are eligible to file the form. By checking the box, you are also attesting that you have read and understand the requirements to be exempt under section 501(c)(3). You are not required to submit the eligibility worksheet with your form. However, you should retain the worksheet for your records.

You must also check the boxes regarding your gross receipts and total assets. If you check “Yes” to those questions, you do not meet the requirements to submit Form 1023-EZ; instead, file Form 1023. For additional information regarding the gross receipts and assets requirements, see questions 1 through 3 on the Form 1023-EZ Eligibility Worksheet.

Part I. Identification of Applicant

Line 1a. Full name of organization.

Enter your complete name exactly as it appears in your organizing document, including amendments.

Line 1b. Care of name.

If you have an "in care of" name, enter it here; otherwise, leave this space blank.

Line 1c–1f. Mailing address.

Enter your complete address where all correspondence will be sent. If mail is not delivered to the street address and you have a P.O. box, enter your box number instead of the street address.

Line 2. Employer identification number (EIN).

Enter the nine-digit EIN assigned to you.

This is an Image: caution.gifYou will not be able to submit this application until you have obtained an EIN.

All organizations must have an EIN. An EIN is required regardless of whether you have employees.

If the organization doesn't have an EIN, it must apply for one. An EIN can be applied for by visiting the IRS website at IRS.gov/EIN.

The organization may also apply for an EIN by faxing or mailing Form SS-4 to the IRS. Organizations outside the United States or U.S. possessions may also apply for an EIN by calling 267-941-1099 (not toll-free). Don't apply for an EIN more than once.

Line 3. Month tax year ends (01–12).

Enter the month that your tax year (annual accounting period) ends, using a two-digit number format. For example, if your annual accounting period ends in December, enter “12.” Your annual accounting period is the 12-month period on which your annual financial records are based. Your first tax year could be less than 12 months. Check your bylaws or other rules of operation for consistency with the annual accounting period entered on line 3.

Line 4. Person to contact if more information is needed.

Enter the name and title of the person to contact if more information is needed. The person to contact may be an officer, director, trustee, or other individual who is permitted to speak with us according to your bylaws or other rules of operation. Your person to contact may also be an “authorized representative,” such as an attorney, certified public accountant (CPA), or enrolled agent (EA).

Note.

We will request a Form 2848, Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative, if we need to contact an authorized representative for additional information.

Line 5. Contact telephone number.

Provide a daytime telephone number for the contact listed on line 4.

Line 6. Fax number.

You may provide a fax number for the contact listed on line 4.

Line 7. User fee submitted.

Pay.gov will populate this field with the current user fee for filing Form 1023-EZ.

Line 8. List the names, titles, and mailing addresses of your officers, directors, and/or trustees.

Enter the full names, titles, and mailing addresses of your officers, directors, and/or trustees. You may use the organization's address for mailing. If you have more than five, list only five in the order below.

  1. President or chief executive officer or chief operating officer.

  2. Treasurer or chief financial officer.

  3. Chairperson of the governing body.

  4. Any officers, directors, and trustees who are substantial contributors (not already listed above).

  5. Any other officers, directors, and trustees who are related to a substantial contributor (not already listed above).

  6. Voting members of the governing body (not already listed above).

  7. Officers (not already listed above).

If an individual serves in more than one office (for example, as both an officer and director), list this individual on only one line and list all offices held.

An officer is a person elected or appointed to manage the organization’s daily operations, such as president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, and, in some cases, board chair. The officers of an organization are determined by reference to its organizing document, bylaws, or resolutions of its governing body, or otherwise designated consistent with state law.

A director or trustee is a member of the organization’s governing body, but only if the member has voting rights.

Line 9a. Organization’s website.

Enter your current website address, as of the date of filing this application. If you do not maintain a website, leave this space blank.

Line 9b. Organization’s email.

Enter your email address to receive educational information from us in the future. Because of security concerns, we cannot send or respond to confidential information via email.

Part II. Organizational Structure

Line 1. Entity type.

Only certain corporations, unincorporated associations, and trusts are eligible for tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3). Sole proprietorships, partnerships, and loosely affiliated groups of individuals are not eligible. Check the appropriate box to indicate whether you are a corporation, an association, or a trust.

Note.

Even though limited liability companies (LLCs) are eligible to receive exemption under section 501(c)(3), they are not eligible to apply for exemption using this form.

Corporation.

A “corporation” is an entity organized under a federal or state statute, or a statute of a federally recognized Indian tribal or Alaskan native government. A corporation’s organizing document is generally referred to as its “articles of incorporation.” A corporation must be incorporated under the non-profit or non-stock laws of the jurisdiction in which it incorporates.

Unincorporated association.

An “unincorporated association” formed under state law must have at least two members who have signed a written document for a specifically defined purpose.

Trust.

A trust may be formed by a trust agreement or a declaration of trust. A trust may also be formed through a will.

Line 2. Necessary organizing document.

See below for your organization type.

Corporation.

If incorporated under a federal, state, or federally recognized Indian tribal or Alaskan native government statute, you have a “necessary organizing document” if your organizing document shows certification of filing. This means your organizing document shows evidence that on a specific date it was filed with and approved by an appropriate state authority.

Unincorporated association.

In order to be a “necessary organizing document,” your articles of organization must include your name, your purpose(s), the date the document was adopted, and the signatures of at least two individuals.

Bylaws may be considered an organizing document only if they are properly structured to include your name, purpose(s), signatures, and intent to form an organization.

Trust.

In order for your trust agreement or declaration of trust to be a “necessary organizing document,” it must contain appropriate signature(s) and show the exact date it was formed.

Line 3. Formation date.

See below for your organization type.

Corporation.

If you are a corporation, you should enter the date that the appropriate authority filed your articles of incorporation or other organizing document.

Unincorporated association.

If you are an unincorporated association, you should enter the date that your organizing document was adopted by the signatures of at least two individuals.

Trust.

If your trust was formed by a trust agreement or a declaration of trust and does not provide for distributions to non-charitable interests, enter the date the trust was funded. Generally, a trust must be funded with property, such as money, real estate, or personal property, to be legally created.

If your trust document provides for distributions for non-charitable interests, enter the date on which these interests expired. If your trust agreement continues to provide for non-charitable interests, you will not qualify for tax-exempt status.

If you were formed by a will, enter the date of death of the testator or the date any non-charitable interests expired, whichever is later.

Note.

If you amended your organizational documents to comply with the requirements of section 501(c)(3), enter the date of amendment, unless the amendment was nonsubstantive within the meaning of Rev. Proc. 2022-5, 2022-1 I.R.B. 256 (or its successor).

Line 4. State of formation.

Enter the jurisdiction (for instance, the state or the federally recognized tribal government) under the laws of which you were incorporated or otherwise formed. If you are a corporation, this may not be the place in which you are physically located. For example, if you are physically located in New York, but incorporated under Massachusetts law, enter Massachusetts.

Line 5. Purpose(s) clause.

Your organizing document must limit your purposes to those described in section 501(c)(3). Those purposes are charitable, religious, educational, scientific, literary, testing for public safety, fostering national or international amateur sports competition, and preventing cruelty to children or animals. See discussion of these purposes under Part III, line 3 of these instructions.

If your purposes are limited by referring to section 501(c)(3), your organizing document also properly limits your purposes. For example, the phrase “relief of the elderly within the meaning of section 501(c)(3)” in your organizing document also properly limits your purposes.

However, if the purposes listed in your organizing document are broader than those listed in section 501(c)(3), you should amend your organizing document before applying for recognition of exemption. A reference to section 501(c)(3) will not ensure that your purposes are limited to those described in section 501(c)(3). All of the language in your organizing document must be considered. The following is an example of an acceptable purpose clause:

The organization is organized exclusively for charitable, religious, educational, and scientific purposes under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

See Pub. 557 for further information and examples of how to limit your purposes.

Line 6. Activities not in furtherance of tax-exempt purposes.

Your organizing document must not expressly empower you to engage, otherwise than as an insubstantial part of your activities, in activities that in themselves are not in furtherance of one or more exempt purposes described in section 501(c)(3). In other words, you are not organized exclusively for one or more exempt purposes if your organizing documents expressly empower you to carry on activities that further purposes outside the scope of section 501(c)(3), such as “to engage in the operation of a social club” or “to engage in a manufacturing business,” regardless of the fact that your organizing document may state that you are created for “charitable purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Code.”

Further, your net earnings must not inure to the benefit of private shareholders or individuals. You must establish that you will not be organized or operated for the benefit of private interests, such as the founder or the founder’s family, shareholders of the organization, other designated individuals, or persons controlled directly or indirectly by such private interests. Also, you must not, as a substantial part of your activities, attempt to influence legislation (however, eligible organizations may elect an expenditure limit instead of the “no substantial part” limit), and you are prohibited from participating to any extent in a political campaign for or against any candidate for public office.

The following is an example of an acceptable clause:

No part of the net earnings of the corporation shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the corporation shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes described in section 501(c)(3). No substantial part of the activities of the corporation shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the corporation shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, the corporation shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by a corporation exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or (b) by a corporation, contributions to which are deductible under section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

See Pub. 557 for further information and examples of acceptable language that expressly limits you to engage in activities in furtherance of one or more exempt purposes described in section 501(c)(3).

This is an Image: taxtip.gifSee the instructions for Part III, later, for more information on activities that exclusively further one or more exempt purposes, and certain activities that are prohibited or restricted for organizations exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3).

Line 7. Dissolution clause.

Your organizing document must permanently dedicate your assets for a section 501(c)(3) purpose. This means that if you dissolve your organization in the future, your assets must be distributed for an exempt purpose described in section 501(c)(3), or to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose.

If your organizing document states that your assets would be distributed to members or private individuals or for any purpose other than those provided in section 501(c)(3), you must amend your organizing document to remove such statements before you apply for recognition of exemption.

The following is an example of an acceptable dissolution clause:

Upon the dissolution of this organization, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose.

Naming a specific organization or organizations to receive your assets upon dissolution will be acceptable only if your articles state that the specific organization(s) must be exempt under section 501(c)(3) at the time your dissolution takes place and your organizing document provides for distribution for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) if the specific organization(s) are not exempt.

See Pub. 557 for further information and examples of acceptable language for dedication of assets upon dissolution in your organizing document.

Operation of state law.

The laws of certain states provide for the distribution of assets upon dissolution. Therefore, specific written language regarding distribution of assets upon dissolution may not be needed in the organizing documents of exempt organizations organized in those states. Organizations that are organized in these cy pres states should be aware of their specific state requirements. Operation of state law is based on Rev. Proc. 82-2, 1982-1 C.B. 367.

This is an Image: caution.gifState law does not override an inappropriate dissolution clause. If you are organized in a cy pres state and do not have a dissolution clause, state law is sufficient to meet the dissolution clause. However, if you have an inappropriate dissolution clause (for example, a clause specifying that assets will or may be distributed to officers and/or directors upon dissolution), state law will not override this inappropriate clause, and you will need to amend your organizing document to remove the inappropriate clause before you apply for recognition of exemption.

Part III. Your Specific Activities

Consider your past, present, and planned activities when responding to these questions.

Line 1.

Briefly describe your mission or most significant activities (limit 250 characters). Describe the most significant activity or activities you conduct or will conduct to accomplish your tax-exempt 501(c)(3) purposes (see below for examples and a description of various 501(c)(3) purposes). For example, an organization that plans to provide relief for the poor and distressed by providing free meals at a homeless shelter could enter “We will provide relief for the poor and distressed by providing free meals at a homeless shelter.”

Don't refer to or repeat purposes in your organizing document or speculate about potential future programs. You should describe either actual or planned mission or activities. For example, an organization that furthers educational purposes by operating an after-school homework club could enter “We further educational purposes by operating an after-school homework club”. If the organization was also contemplating offering scholarships in the future but currently had no definitive plans to do so, then the scholarship activity would be speculative and should not be described.

Examples of activities or missions that were determined to further tax-exempt 501(c)(3) purposes:

Example 1.

In Rev. Rul. 69-161, 1969-1 C.B. 149, a nonprofit legal aid society that was organized and operated for the purpose of providing free legal services to indigent persons who were otherwise financially incapable of obtaining such services qualified for exemption under section 501(c)(3) as a charitable organization providing relief to the poor and distressed.

Example 2.

In Rev. Rul. 67-148, 1967-1 C.B. 132, an organization formed to increase the knowledge of its members and the public about historic events by researching, studying, and involving its members in historically accurate reenactments to which the public was invited qualified for exemption under section 501(c)(3) as an educational organization.

Example 3.

In Rev. Rul. 74-194, 1974-1 C.B. 129, an organization formed to prevent cruelty to animals by subsidizing spaying and neutering for pet owners who otherwise couldn’t afford the services qualified for the exemption under section 501(c)(3) as an organization formed and operated exclusively for the prevention of cruelty to animals.

Examples of activities or missions that were determined to not further tax-exempt 501(c)(3) purposes:

Example 1.

In Wendy L. Parker Rehabilitation Foundation Inc. v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 1986-348, an organization created to aid an open-ended class of persons suffering from a disease or illness wasn’t described in section 501(c)(3) because it anticipated spending a portion of its income for the benefit of one specifically named individual. The specifically named individual’s family controlled the organization and made significant contributions to it. The distributions for her support relieved them of the economic burden of providing for her care and thus constituted prohibited inurement of the organization’s fund. The benefit didn’t flow primarily to the general public as required under Regulations section 1.501(c)(3)-1(d)(1)(ii) and instead provided an impermissible private benefit.

Example 2.

In Rev. Rul. 71-395, 1971-2 C.B. 228, an organization created as a cooperative art gallery formed by artists to exhibit and sell their works didn’t qualify for exemption under section 501(c)(3) because the gallery was a vehicle for advancing the careers of the artists and for promoting the sale of their works. The Revenue Ruling explains that “the gallery serves the private purposes of its members, even though the exhibition and sale of paintings may be an educational activity in other respects.” The organization failed to qualify for exemption because it was operated for the benefit of private individuals within the prohibition of Regulations section 1.501(c)(3)-1(d)(ii).

Example 3.

In Rev. Rul. 67-367, 1967-2 C.B. 188, an organization was created to operate a scholarship fund plan for making payments to preselected, specifically named individuals. The subscribers deposited a certain amount of money with a designated bank. The subscribers also named a specific child to be the recipient of the scholarship money. The organization failed to qualify for exemption under section 501(c)(3) because it was operated for the benefit of private interests, the designated recipients, rather than to serve a public interest.

Line 2. National Taxonomy of Exempt Entities (NTEE) code.

An NTEE code is a three-character series of letters and numbers that generally summarize an organization’s purpose. Enter the code that best describes your organization from the list of NTEE codes, later. For more information and more detailed definitions of these codes developed by the National Center for Charitable Statistics (NCCS), visit the Urban Institute, NCCS website at nccs.urban.org.

Note.

NTEE codes are also used for purposes other than identification of organizations described in section 501(c)(3). Therefore, all codes in the list do not necessarily describe a 501(c)(3) purpose. Selecting the appropriate NTEE code is important as some donors use the codes to identify potential recipients of grants.

Line 3. Exempt purposes.

In order to qualify for exemption as an organization described in section 501(c)(3), you must be organized and operated exclusively for one or more of the following purposes: charitable, religious, educational, scientific, literary, testing for public safety, fostering national or international amateur sports competition, or preventing cruelty to children or animals. An organization is not regarded as being organized and operated exclusively for exempt purposes if more than an insubstantial part of its activities is not in furtherance of an exempt purpose. For more information, see Pub. 557.

Note.

An organization does not qualify for exemption as an organization described in section 501(c)(3) if its purposes are illegal or contrary to public policy. See Rev. Rul. 71-447, 1971-2 C.B. 230 (a private school that does not have a racially nondiscriminatory policy as to students does not qualify for exemption). Furthermore, an organization operated for the primary purpose of carrying on a trade or business for profit shall not be exempt from taxation under section 501(c)(3), even if all of its profits are payable to one or more organizations exempt from taxation under section 501.

Charitable.

The generally accepted legal definition of “charitable” includes relief of the poor, the distressed, or the underprivileged; advancement of religion; advancement of education or science; erecting or maintaining public buildings, monuments, or works; lessening the burdens of government; lessening neighborhood tensions; eliminating prejudice and discrimination; defending human and civil rights secured by law; and combating community deterioration and juvenile delinquency.

Religious.

To determine whether an organization meets the religious purposes test of section 501(c)(3), the IRS maintains two basic guidelines.

  1. That the particular religious beliefs of the organization are truly and sincerely held. If there is a clear showing that the beliefs (or doctrines) are sincerely held by those professing them, the IRS will not question the religious nature of those beliefs.

  2. That the practices and rituals associated with the organization's religious belief or creed are not illegal or contrary to clearly defined public policy. Therefore, an organization may not qualify for treatment as an exempt religious organization for tax purposes if its actions are contrary to well established and clearly defined public policy.

Educational.

The term “educational,” as used in section 501(c)(3), relates to:

  • The instruction or training of the individual for the purpose of improving or developing his or her capabilities, or

  • The instruction of the public on subjects useful to the individual and beneficial to the community.

An organization may be educational even though it advocates a particular position or viewpoint so long as it presents a sufficiently full and fair exposition of the pertinent facts as to permit an individual or the public to form an independent opinion or conclusion. An organization is not educational if its principal function is the mere presentation of unsupported opinion.

The term “educational” includes the provision of childcare away from the home if:

  1. Substantially all of the care provided by the organization is to enable individuals (parents) to be gainfully employed, and

  2. The services provided by the organization are available to the general public.

The following are examples of organizations which, if they otherwise meet the requirements of this section, are educational.

Example 1.

An organization whose activities consist of presenting public discussion groups, forums, panels, lectures, or other similar programs. Such programs may be on radio or television.

Example 2.

An organization which presents a course of instruction by means of correspondence or through the utilization of television or radio.

Example 3.

Museums, zoos, planetariums, symphony orchestras, and other similar organizations.

Scientific.

To be a scientific organization described in section 501(c)(3), an organization must be organized and operated in the public interest. Therefore, the term “scientific,” as used in section 501(c)(3), includes the carrying on of scientific research in the public interest. Scientific research does not include activities of a type ordinarily carried on as an incident to commercial or industrial operations, as, for example, the ordinary testing or inspection of materials or products, or the designing or construction of equipment or buildings.

Scientific research will be regarded as carried on in the public interest if:

  1. The results of such research (including any patents, copyrights, processes, or formulas resulting from such research) are made available to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis;

  2. Such research is performed for the United States, or any of its agencies or instrumentalities, or for a state or political subdivision thereof; or

  3. Such research is directed toward benefiting the public.

Testing for public safety.

The term “testing for public safety,” as used in section 501(c)(3), includes the testing of consumer products, such as electrical products, to determine whether they are safe for use by the general public.

To foster national or international amateur sports competition.

There are two types of amateur athletic organizations that can qualify for tax-exempt status. The first type is an organization that fosters national or international amateur sports competition, but only if none of its activities involve providing athletic facilities or equipment. The second type is a qualified amateur sports organization under section 501(j) (discussed below). The primary difference between the two is that a qualified amateur sports organization can provide athletic facilities and equipment.

An organization will be a qualified amateur sports organization under section 501(j) if it is organized and operated:

  1. Exclusively to foster national or international amateur sports competition, and

  2. Primarily to conduct national or international competition in sports or to support and develop amateur athletes for that competition.

The organization's membership can be local or regional in nature.

Prevention of cruelty to children or animals.

Examples of activities that may qualify this type of organization for exempt status are:

  1. Preventing children from working in hazardous trades or occupations,

  2. Promoting high standards of care for laboratory animals, and

  3. Providing funds to pet owners to have their pets spayed or neutered to prevent over-breeding.

Line 4. Prohibited or restricted activities.

Certain activities are prohibited or restricted for organizations exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3). Along with conducting activities that exclusively further one or more of the purposes listed in Part III, line 3, earlier, organizations exempt under section 501(c)(3) must:

a) Refrain from supporting or opposing candidates in political campaigns in any way.

An organization exempt under section 501(c)(3) is prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office. The prohibition applies to all campaigns, including campaigns at the federal, state, and local level.

Political campaign intervention includes any and all activities that favor or oppose one or more candidates for public office. The prohibition extends beyond candidate endorsements. Contributions to political campaign funds or public statements of position (verbal or written) made by or on behalf of an organization in favor of or in opposition to any candidate for public office clearly violate the prohibition on political campaign intervention. Distributing statements prepared by others that favor or oppose any candidate for public office will also violate the prohibition. Allowing a candidate to use an organization’s assets or facilities will also violate the prohibition if other candidates are not given an equivalent opportunity.

Certain activities will require an evaluation of all the facts and circumstances to determine whether they result in political campaign intervention. For example, section 501(c)(3) organizations are permitted to conduct certain voter education activities (including the presentation of public forums and the publication of voter education guides) if they are carried out in a non-partisan manner. In addition, section 501(c)(3) organizations may encourage people to participate in the electoral process through voter registration and get-out-the-vote drives conducted in a non-partisan manner. However, voter education or registration activities conducted in a biased manner that favors (or opposes) one or more candidates is prohibited. For examples of relevant facts and circumstances, see Rev. Rul. 2007-41, 2007-1 C.B. 1421.

b) Ensure that net earnings do not inure in whole or in part to the benefit of private shareholders or individuals (that is, board members, officers, key management employees, or other insiders).

An organization is not operated exclusively for one or more exempt purposes if its net earnings inure in whole or in part to the benefit of private shareholders or individuals. The term “private shareholder or individual” refers to persons who have a personal and private interest in the organization, such as an officer, a director, or a key employee. Any amount of inurement may be grounds for loss of tax-exempt status.

Note.

Examples of inurement include the payment of dividends and the payment of unreasonable compensation to private shareholders or individuals.

c) Not further non-exempt purposes (such as purposes that benefit private interests) more than insubstantially.

An organization cannot conduct activities that further any purposes other than those described in Part III, line 3 of these instructions more than insubstantially, including benefitting private interests rather than the public as a whole. For example, an organization whose sole activity is the operation of a scholarship program for making payments to pre-selected, specifically named individuals is serving private interests rather than public interests. See Rev. Rul. 67-367, 1967-2 C.B. 188.

d) Not be organized or operated for the primary purpose of conducting a trade or business that is unrelated to exempt purpose(s).

An activity is an unrelated trade or business (and subject to unrelated business income tax) if it meets three requirements.

  1. It is a trade or business.

  2. It is regularly carried on.

  3. It is not substantially related to furthering the exempt purpose(s) of the organization.

Trade or business. The term “trade or business” generally includes any activity conducted for the production of income from selling goods or performing services. An activity does not lose its identity as a trade or business merely because it is conducted within a larger group of similar activities that may or may not be related to the exempt purposes of the organization.

Regularly carried on. Business activities of an exempt organization ordinarily are considered regularly conducted if they show a frequency and continuity similar to, and are pursued in a manner similar to, comparable commercial activities of nonexempt organizations.

Not substantially related. A business activity is not substantially related to an organization’s exempt purpose if it does not contribute importantly to accomplishing that purpose (other than through the production of funds). Whether an activity contributes importantly depends in each case on the facts involved.

For more information, see Pub. 598.

e) Not devote more than an insubstantial part of activities to attempting to influence legislation.

In general, if a substantial part of an organization's activities consists of carrying on propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, it does not qualify for exemption under section 501(c)(3).

Legislation includes action by Congress, any state legislature, any local council, or similar governing body, with respect to acts, bills, resolutions, or similar items (such as legislative confirmation of appointive office), or by the public in referendum, ballot initiative, constitutional amendment, or similar procedure. It does not include actions by executive, judicial, or administrative bodies.

An organization will be regarded as attempting to influence legislation if it contacts, or urges the public to contact, members or employees of a legislative body for the purpose of proposing, supporting, or opposing legislation, or if the organization advocates the adoption or rejection of legislation.

This is an Image: taxtip.gifMost public charities are eligible to elect under section 501(h) to have their legislative activities measured solely by an expenditure limit rather than by the “no substantial amount” limit. An election is made by filing Form 5768, Election/Revocation of Election by an Eligible Section 501(c)(3) Organization To Make Expenditures To Influence Legislation. If you are eligible and would like to make the election, file Form 5768. Private foundations cannot make this election.

For additional information on the expenditure limit or the no substantial amount limit, see IRS.gov/Charities-&-Non-Profits/Lobbying.

f) Not provide commercial-type insurance as a substantial part of activities.

An organization described in section 501(c)(3) shall be exempt from tax only if no substantial part of its activities consists of providing commercial-type insurance. The term "commercial-type insurance" does not include:

  • Insurance provided at substantially below cost to a class of charitable recipients,

  • Incidental health insurance provided by a health maintenance organization of a kind customarily provided by such organizations,

  • Property or casualty insurance provided (directly or through an organization described in section 414(e)(3)(B)(ii)) by a church or convention or association of churches for such church or convention or association of churches,

  • Providing retirement or welfare benefits (or both) by a church or a convention or association of churches (directly or through an organization described in section 414(e)(3)(A) or 414(e)(3)(B)(ii)) for the employees (including employees described in section 414(e)(3)(B)) of such church or convention or association of churches or the beneficiaries of such employees, and

  • Charitable gift annuities.

Line 5. Attempting to influence legislation.

Check “Yes” if you have attempted, or plan to attempt, to influence legislation. See the instructions for Part III, line 4, earlier, for a description of “attempting to influence legislation.”

Line 6. Compensation to officers, directors, or trustees.

Check “Yes” if you pay or plan to pay compensation to any of your officers, directors, or trustees.

Compensation includes salary or wages, deferred compensation, retirement benefits whether in the form of a qualified or non-qualified employee plan (pensions or annuities), fringe benefits (personal vehicle, meals, lodging, personal and family educational benefits, low interest loans, payment of personal travel, entertainment, or other expenses, athletic or country club membership, and personal use of your property), and bonuses.

Line 7. Donation of funds or payment of expenses to individuals.

Check “Yes” if you have donated funds to or paid expenses for individual(s), or plan to donate funds to or pay expenses for individual(s) (other than paying for or reimbursing employees’ business expenses).

This is an Image: caution.gifAn organization is not organized or operated exclusively for one or more exempt purposes unless it serves a public rather than a private interest. You do not qualify as tax exempt if you are organized or operated for the benefit of private interests such as designated individuals, the creator or his or her family, or shareholders of the organization. For example, you may not set up a scholarship program to pay for the education expenses of a designated individual, such as a contributor’s family member. See Rev. Rul. 67-367, 1967-2 C.B. 188.

Line 8. Conducting activities or providing grants outside the United States.

Check “Yes” if you have conducted or plan to conduct activities outside the United States, or have provided or plan to provide grants or other assistance to individual(s) or organization(s) outside the United States. For purposes of this question, “outside the United States” means those locations other than the United States, its territories, and possessions.

Line 9. Financial transactions with officers, directors, or trustees.

Check “Yes” if you have engaged in or plan to engage in financial transactions (for example, loans, grants, or other assistance, payments for goods or services, rents, etc.) with any of your officers, directors, or trustees, or any entities they own or control. See the glossary in the Form 990 instructions for a definition of “control.”

Line 10. Unrelated business gross income.

Check “Yes” if you have received or plan to receive unrelated business gross income of $1,000 or more during a tax year. Exempt organizations that receive unrelated business gross income of $1,000 or more during a tax year must file Form 990-T, Exempt Organization Business Income Tax Return. For more information, see Pub. 598.

Line 11. Gaming activities.

Check “Yes” if you have conducted or plan to conduct bingo or other gaming activities. For more information, see Pub. 3079, Tax-Exempt Organizations and Gaming.

Line 12. Disaster relief assistance.

Check “Yes” if you have provided or plan to provide disaster relief. For more information, see Pub. 3833, Disaster Relief: Providing Assistance Through Charitable Organizations.

This is an Image: caution.gifBecause of the requirement that exempt organizations must serve a charitable class, you do not qualify as a tax-exempt disaster relief or emergency hardship organization if you provide assistance only to specific individuals, such as a few persons injured in a particular natural disaster. Similarly, donors cannot earmark contributions to a charitable organization for a particular individual or family.

Part IV. Foundation Classification

Every organization described in section 501(c)(3) has a foundation classification. The two main classifications are public charity and private foundation. A public charity generally has a broad base of support, while a private foundation generally receives its support from a small number of donors. Your foundation classification is important because it determines which tax rules govern your operations and which limitations apply to your donors’ contributions. For example, deductibility of contributions to a private foundation is more limited than contributions to a public charity. In addition, private foundations are subject to excise taxes that are not imposed on public charities, discussed later.

Section 509(a) provides that every section 501(c)(3) organization is a private foundation unless it qualifies for one of the public charity exceptions under section 509(a)(1), 509(a)(2), 509(a)(3), or 509(a)(4). Section 509(a)(1) public charities have nine sub-classifications; however, only three of those subclasses (described in the first three bullets below) can apply for exemption on Form 1023-EZ. Private foundations have two main sub-classifications.

Note.

Private operating foundations can’t apply for exemption on Form 1023-EZ (see question 28 on the Form 1023-EZ Eligibility Worksheet).

This is an Image: caution.gifYou are solely responsible to check the line on Part IV of Form 1023-EZ that corresponds to your correct foundation classification. We will process your application with the classification you indicate based upon your representations.

Foundation classifications available to a Form 1023-EZ filer.

An organization eligible to apply for exemption using Form 1023-EZ will have one of the following foundation classifications.

  • A section 509(a)(1) public charity described in section 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) that receives substantial support in the form of grants and contributions from governmental units, the general public, and other public charities. See the instructions for Line 2a, later.

  • A section 509(a)(2) public charity that receives substantial revenues from a combination of contributions, membership fees, and gross receipts from activities that further its exempt purpose. See the instructions for Line 2b, later.

  • A section 509(a)(1) public charity described in section 170(b)(1)(A)(iv) that operates for the benefit of a college or university that is owned or operated by a governmental unit. See the instructions for Line 2c, later.

  • A private foundation (other than a private operating foundation). See the instructions for Line 3, later.

You can find a detailed description of the tax treatment of public charities and private foundations in chapter 3 of Pub. 557. Also see Pub. 526, which explains the limitations on deductibility of contributions for gifts to public charities and private foundations.

Note.

Your foundation classification can change if the types, sources, and amounts of your revenues change.

Determining your correct foundation classification.

In order to determine your correct foundation classification, you need to know the types, sources, and amounts of your revenues for the most recent 5-year period. If you are a new organization, base your determination on the types, sources, and amounts of revenue you actually received since your formation, together with the types, sources, and amounts of revenue you anticipate you will receive over the first 5 years of your existence.

Because of the low asset and revenue thresholds for Form 1023-EZ, the instructions later simplify the applicable tests for the types of public charity described in the instructions for Line 2a and Line 2b. You can obtain more detailed information about the public support tests for Line 2a and Line 2b in the Instructions for Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ), Public Charity Status and Public Support. In addition, you can complete Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ), Parts II and III as an alternative to the simplified calculation steps described later.

Types of Revenue

Gifts, grants, and contributions.

Gifts, grants, and contributions are transfers of money or property you receive without providing goods or services in exchange. Include bequests and donations in this revenue type. Membership fees may also be treated as contributions when the member receives nothing of value in exchange for the membership fee. In addition, you can treat the value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit without charge, provided that the governmental unit would ordinarily charge for the use of its facilities. Treat contributions from members of a family as made by one person. Treat contributions by an individual and a business entity the individual controls as being made by the individual.

Exempt-activity revenues.

Exempt-activity revenues include admissions fees, revenues from merchandise sold or services performed, or facilities furnished in any activity related to your tax-exempt purpose.

Revenues from unrelated activities.

Revenues from activities unrelated to your exempt purpose don’t count as public support for section 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2). Therefore, you need to identify these revenues and account for them separately from gifts, grants, contributions, exempt-activity revenues, and unusual grants. Revenues from activities unrelated to your exempt purpose include admissions fees, revenues from merchandise sold or services performed, or facilities furnished in any activity that is unrelated to your tax-exempt purpose. For the purposes of the Form 1023-EZ, we do not distinguish between revenues in this category that are taxable as unrelated business taxable income (UBTI) and revenues that are not UBTI because of an exception, nor do we factor in the deduction allowed on Schedule A (Form 990 and 990-EZ) for the tax on UBTI. See the Instructions for Schedule A (Form 990 and 990-EZ) and Pub. 598 for more information.

Investment income.

Investment income includes interest, dividends, and similar items.

Unusual grants.

“Unusual grants” are contributions from disinterested persons (that is, not your founder or members of your governing body) that are unusual (in terms of their size), that you do not anticipate will be recurring. For example, a one-time promise of “seed funding” to help you start operations and develop broad-based public support (whether received in a lump sum or over a period of years) could potentially be characterized as an unusual grant. Before you decide that a contribution is an “unusual grant,” see chapter 3 of Pub. 557 for more information.

Sources of Revenue

Disqualified persons.

The term “disqualified person” has a specific meaning depending upon the circumstances. For the purposes of Form 1023-EZ and your foundation classification, the term “disqualified persons” includes any individual or organization that is any of the following.

  1. A "substantial contributor" to you (defined below).

  2. An officer, director, trustee, or any other individual who has similar powers or responsibilities.

  3. An individual who owns more than 20% of the total combined voting power of a corporation that is a substantial contributor.

  4. An individual who owns more than 20% of the profits interest of a partnership that is a substantial contributor.

  5. An individual who owns more than 20% of the beneficial interest of a trust or estate that is a substantial contributor.

  6. A member of the family of any individual described in 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 above.

  7. A corporation in which any individuals described in 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 above hold more than 35% of the total combined voting power.

  8. A trust or estate in which any individuals described in 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 above hold more than 35% of the beneficial interests.

  9. A partnership in which any individuals described in 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 above hold more than 35% of the profits interest.

Substantial contributor.

A “substantial contributor” is any individual or organization that gave more than $5,000 to you from the date you were formed or other date that your exemption would be effective, to the end of the year in which the contributions were received. This total amount contributed must also be more than 2% of all the contributions you received. A creator of a trust is treated as a substantial contributor regardless of the amount contributed.

For more information regarding substantial contributors, go to IRS.gov/SubstantialContributor.

Family members.

A “member of the family” includes the spouse, ancestors, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and their spouses.

For additional information concerning members of the family, go to IRS.gov/FamilyMembers.

Further information about disqualified persons can be obtained at IRS.gov/DisqualifiedPerson.

General public.

For the purposes of determining your foundation classification, the term “general public” includes any person who is not a disqualified person.

Governmental unit.

Governmental unit means a state, a possession of the United States, or a political subdivision of a state or U.S. possession, the United States, or the District of Columbia. Treat taxes levied on your behalf that are paid to or spent on your behalf as being from a governmental unit. In addition, if a governmental unit provides services or facilities to you without charge, and it does not provide those services or facilities to the public without charge, you should treat the value of those services and facilities as being from a governmental unit.

Public charity.

An organization described in section 501(c)(3) that makes a gift, grant or contribution to you, or pays exempt-service revenues to you, should inform you of its foundation classification.

Foundation classification tests.

Lines 2a, 2b, 2c, and 3 each uses a different test. The specific test for each line is explained below.

You may only check one box in Line 2.

As an alternative to the tests described below, you can use the more detailed support calculations in Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ), Part II (for Line 2a, or Line 2c), or Part III (for Line 2b).

This is an Image: taxtip.gifIf the IRS approves your application and you are classified as a public charity, then any year that you must file Form 990 or Form 990-EZ, you will use Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ), to confirm that you continue to satisfy the section 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2) public support test. See Annual Filing Requirements, earlier.

Line 1.

Check “Yes” if you are applying for recognition as a church, school, or hospital (as described in section 170(b)(1)(A)(i), (ii), or (iii)). Also see questions 12 through 14 on the Form 1023-EZ Eligibility Worksheet. If you are seeking recognition as a church, school, or hospital, you are not eligible to use Form 1023-EZ and should instead submit Form 1023 if you wish to obtain a determination letter from the IRS. However, churches (including synagogues, temples, and mosques) and integrated auxiliaries of churches and conventions or associations of churches may be considered tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) even if they do not file Form 1023.

Check “No” if you are not applying for recognition as a church, school, or hospital (as described in section 170(b)(1)(A)(i), (ii), or (iii)).

Line 2a.

Check this box if after completing Steps 1–7 below, you meet the requirements for the 509(a)(1) public support test.

Use the calculation below to determine whether you can check Line 2a. For the calculations below, combine revenues for the most recent 5-year period. If you are a new organization, base your calculation on revenues you have actually received since your formation as well as revenues you anticipate you will receive over the first 5 years of your existence. You can also use this support calculation for Line 2c.

Step 1.

Total all gifts, grants, and contributions (including those from governmental units and public charities). Don’t include exempt-activity revenues and unusual grants.

Step 2.

Multiply the amount from Step 1 by 2% (0.02). This is your 2% threshold amount. Gifts, grants, or contributions from persons other than governmental units and public charities can be treated as public support only up to the 2% threshold.

Step 3.

Excluding gifts, grants, and contributions from governmental units and public charities, add together contributions of any person that exceed the 2% threshold amount calculated in Step 2.

Example.

If the amount in Step 1 is $150,000, the 2% threshold is $3,000. If, over the 5-year period, one individual donor gave $4,000, another individual donor gave $3,250, and the rest of the donors gave $3,000 or less, the amount calculated for Step 3 will be $1,250, which is ($4,000 minus $3,000) plus ($3,250 minus $3,000).

Step 4.

Subtract the amount calculated in Step 3 from the amount calculated in Step 1. This is your 509(a)(1) public support amount.

Step 5.

Calculate the total of your unrelated trade or business revenues, and investment income. Don’t include exempt-activity revenues and unusual grants.

Step 6.

Add the amount from Step 1 to the amount from Step 5. This is your 509(a)(1) total support amount.

Step 7.

Divide your 509(a)(1) public support amount (calculated in Step 4) by your 509(a)(1) total support amount (calculated in Step 6).

  • If the result is at least 331/3%, you satisfy the 509(a)(1) public support test and should check the box on Line 2a.

  • If the result is less than 331/3%, but is at least 10%, you might satisfy the public support test for Line 2a (or Line 2c) based upon a “facts and circumstances” test. An organization with public support between 10% and 331/3% must be organized and operated in a way that will attract new and additional public or governmental support on a continuous basis. The following factors are taken into account in determining whether an organization that meets the 10% public support requirement and is organized and operated to attract new and additional public support may qualify as publicly supported for the purposes of section 509(a)(1).

a. The percentage of financial support the organization receives from the general public, governmental units, or public charities (the higher the percentage, the lower the burden of meeting the other factors).

b. Whether the organization receives support from a representative number of persons.

c. All other facts and circumstances, including the public nature of the organization’s governing body, the extent to which its facilities or programs are publicly available, the extent to which its dues encourage membership, and whether its activities are likely to appeal to persons having a broad common interest or purpose.



For additional information about the “facts and circumstances” test, see Pub. 557 and Regulations section 1.170A-9(f)(3).

Note.

If you do not satisfy the section 509(a)(1) public support test, but you receive most of your support in the form of exempt-activity receipts, continue to the section 509(a)(2) public support test for Line 2b.

Line 2b.

Use the following public-support calculation if you did not satisfy the section 509(a)(1) public support test and you wish to determine whether you satisfy the section 509(a)(2) public support test.

Step 1.

Add together amounts you received in the form of taxes levied on your behalf that are paid to or spent on your behalf and the value of services and facilities provided to you by a governmental unit without charge (see the description of this revenue source earlier). Do not include amounts a governmental unit pays to in the form of a grant, contribution, or exempt-activity revenues.

Step 2.

Add together all gifts, grants, contributions, and exempt-activity revenues from all sources not included in the calculation for Step 1, excluding unusual grants.

Step 3.

To the amount you calculated in Steps 1 and 2, add investment income and all revenues from unrelated activities. For the purposes of this simplified calculation, do not distinguish between unrelated activity revenues that generate UBTI and those that qualify for an exception from UBTI. This is your 509(a)(2) total support amount.

Step 4.

Treating family members as one contributor, and any business entity and an individual who controls it as one contributor, identify the contributors who are disqualified persons. Then, calculate the total of contributions received from disqualified persons, regardless of amount.

Step 5.

Identify any disqualified persons from whom you received exempt-activity revenues of any amount. Then, calculate the total of exempt-activity revenues received from disqualified persons.

Step 6.

Identify the payers other than disqualified persons from whom you received exempt-activity revenues in any year that exceed the greater of 1% of your 509(a)(2) total support amount or $5,000 for that year. Total the amounts that exceed the greater of 1% or $5,000 threshold for each year. Make this calculation on a year-by-year basis, rather than on a 5-year aggregated basis.

Step 7.

Subtract the total of the amounts calculated in Step 4, Step 5, and Step 6 from the amount you calculated in Step 2. Then, add that to the amount calculated in Step 1. This is your 509(a)(2) public support amount.

Step 8.

Divide your 509(a)(2) public support amount (calculated in Step 7) by your 509(a)(2) total support amount (calculated in Step 3). If the result is less than 331/3%, this calculation indicates that you don’t satisfy the 509(a)(2) public support test. If the result is at least 331/3%, proceed to Step 9.

Step 9.

In addition to the 509(a)(2) public support amount of at least 331/3%, you may not derive more than 331/3% of your total support from a combination of investment income and revenues from activities unrelated to your exempt purpose. Add together your investment income and revenues from unrelated activities. Then, divide that amount by the 509(a)(2) total support amount. If that amount is less than 331/3%, you satisfy the second part of the 509(a)(2) public support test.

If the result in Step 8 is at least 331/3% and the result in Step 9 is less than 331/3%, you satisfy the 509(a)(2) public support test. Check the box on Line 2b.

Line 2c.

In order to be able to check the box for Line 2c, you must satisfy the same public support test for Line 2a, earlier. See Rev. Rul. 82-132, 1982-2 C.B. 107. Check this box if, in addition to satisfying the support test described in Line 2a, earlier, you are organized and operated exclusively to receive, hold, invest, and administer property for and make expenditures to or for the benefit of a state or municipal college or university (see below).

The college or university you benefit must be:

• An agency or instrumentality of a state or political subdivision,

• Owned and operated by a state or political subdivision, or

• Owned and operated by an agency or instrumentality of one or more states or political subdivisions.

For this purpose, “support” doesn’t include income received in the exercise or performance by the organization of its charitable, educational, or other purpose or function constituting the basis for exemption. See Pub. 557 for additional information.

Line 3.

If you are eligible to apply for exemption using Form 1023-EZ, but you don’t satisfy one of the public charity tests listed in Lines 2a–2c, you are a private foundation and must confirm that you satisfy the organizing document requirements discussed below.

Special organizing document requirement.

Before you check Line 3, you need to ensure that your organizing document satisfies the special rule under section 508(e) applicable to private foundations.

This is an Image: caution.gifAs a private foundation you are not tax exempt unless your organizing document contains specific provisions required by section 508(e). These specific provisions require that you operate to avoid liability for excise taxes under sections 4941(d) (acts of self-dealing), 4942 (undistributed income), 4943(c) (excess business holdings), 4944 (jeopardizing investments), and 4945(d) (taxable expenditures).

You can find sample provisions that satisfy the section 508(e) requirements in chapter 3 of Pub. 557.

This is an Image: taxtip.gifYou can include provisions that satisfy the requirement under section 508(e) even if you are not a private foundation, and even if state law provisions satisfy section 508(e) requirements.

Operation of state law.

Some states have enacted statutory provisions that satisfy the requirements of section 508(e). See Appendix B in the Instructions for Form 1023. If you are organized in a state that has statutory provisions addressing the requirements of section 508(e), and if you wish to rely on your state law provisions instead of including the provisions in your organizing document, you should be certain that you know what the specific provisions are and where to find them. Reliance on state law to satisfy the rules under section 508(e) is explained in Rev. Rul. 75-38, 1975-1 C.B. 161.

Note. By checking Line 3, you are attesting that either your organizing document contains the appropriate provisions or that the requirement is satisfied by operation of state law.

As a private foundation you are subject to all of the private foundation rules, not just the specific provisions listed in section 508(e). You can find information about the private foundation rules and the excise taxes that may be imposed for violations of the rules in Pub. 4221-PF, Compliance Guide for 501(c)(3) Private Foundations, and at IRS.gov/Charities-&-Non-Profits/Private-Foundations/Private-Foundation-Excise-Taxes.

Special foundations-rule procedure for grants to individuals for travel or study.

Private foundations are required to obtain advance approval from the IRS before making grants to individuals for travel, study, or similar purposes. Failure to do so will result in excise taxes under section 4945. Under section 4945, the excise tax does not apply to an individual grant awarded on an objective and nondiscriminatory basis pursuant to a procedure approved by the IRS in advance. Additional information regarding these rules is available at IRS.gov/Charities-&-Non-Profits/Private-Foundations/Grants-to-Individuals.

To request advance approval of grantmaking procedures under section 4945(g), you must complete and submit Form 8940. A user fee must accompany the form. The advance approval request should be sent to the address indicated on Form 8940. It cannot be submitted with Form 1023-EZ. Additional information about advance approval of individual grant procedures is available at IRS.gov/Charities- &-Non-Profits/Private-Foundations/Advance-Approval-of-Grant-Making- Procedures. Alternatively, if you do not wish to submit a Form 1023-EZ and a Form 8940, private foundations required to obtain advance approval may complete Form 1023 instead.

Part V. Reinstatement After Automatic Revocation

You should complete this section only if you have had your exempt status automatically revoked under section 6033(j)(1) for failure to file required annual returns or notices for 3 consecutive years, and you are applying for reinstatement under section 4 or 7 of Rev. Proc. 2014-11, 2014-3 I.R.B. 411.

Rev. Proc. 2014-11 establishes several different procedures for reinstating organizations depending upon their size, number of times they have been automatically revoked, and the timeliness of filing for reinstatement. Therefore, you should review the revenue procedure and determine which section applies to you.

Note.

You can apply using this form only if you are requesting reinstatement under section 4 or 7 of the revenue procedure. If you are applying for retroactive reinstatement under section 5 or 6 of Rev. Proc. 2014-11, you must submit the full Form 1023 along with the appropriate reasonable cause statement and a statement confirming you have filed the required annual returns as described in the revenue procedure.

Line 1. Section 4 of Rev. Proc. 2014-11.

Check this box if:

  • You were eligible to file either Form 990-EZ or Form 990-N for each of the 3 consecutive years that you failed to file,

  • This is the first time you have been automatically revoked pursuant to section 6033(j), and

  • You are submitting this application not later than 15 months after the later of the date of your Revocation Letter or the date on which the IRS posted your name on the Revocation List at IRS.gov/Charities-&-Non-Profits/Exempt-Organizations-Select-Check.

By checking this box, you are also attesting that your failure to file was not intentional and you have put in place procedures to file required returns or notices in the future.

This is an Image: caution.gifIf you are requesting reinstatement under section 4 of Rev. Proc. 2014‐11, the foundation classification that you request on Part IV. Foundation Classification of this form must match the foundation classification you had at the time of your revocation. Otherwise, you must use Form 1023.

Line 2. Section 7 of Rev. Proc. 2014-11.

Check this box if you are seeking reinstatement under section 7 of Rev. Proc. 2014-11. By checking this box, you are agreeing to accept an effective date of reinstatement as of the date of filing this application.

Part VI. Signature

An officer, director, or trustee listed in Part I, line 8, who is authorized to sign for the organization must electronically sign Form 1023-EZ. To electronically sign Form 1023-EZ, the signer must check the "penalties of perjury" box in Part VI and type his or her name on the line provided. The signature must be accompanied by the title or authority of the signer and the date.
 

Instructions for Form 1023-EZ - Notices

Instructions for Form 1023-EZ - Notices

Paperwork Reduction Act Notice.

We ask for the information on this form to carry out the Internal Revenue laws of the United States. You are required to give us the information. We need it to ensure that you are complying with these laws and to allow us to figure and collect the right amount of tax.

You are not required to provide the information requested on a form that is subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act unless the form displays a valid OMB control number. Books or records relating to a form or its instructions must be retained as long as their contents may become material in the administration of any Internal Revenue law. Generally, tax returns and return information are confidential, as required by section 6103. However, certain returns and return information of tax exempt organizations and trusts are subject to public disclosure and inspection, as provided by section 6104.

The time needed to complete and file this form will vary depending on individual circumstances. The estimated burden for tax exempt organizations filing this form is approved under OMB control number 1545-0047 and is included in the estimates shown in the instructions for their information return.

Comments and suggestions. If you have comments concerning the accuracy of this time estimate or suggestions for making this form simpler, we would be happy to hear from you. You can send us comments from IRS.gov/FormComments. Or you can write to:

Internal Revenue Service
Tax Forms and Publications Division
1111 Constitution Ave. NW, IR-6526
Washington, DC 20224

Don’t send Form 1023-EZ to this address. Instead, see How To File, earlier.

Form 1023-EZ Eligibility Worksheet

(Must be completed prior to completing Form 1023-EZ)

If you answer “Yes” to any of the worksheet questions, you are not eligible to apply for exemption under section 501(c)(3) using Form 1023-EZ. You must apply on Form 1023. If you answer “No” to all of the worksheet questions, you may apply using Form 1023-EZ.
 

1. Do you project that your annual gross receipts will exceed $50,000 in any of the next 3 years?

Gross receipts are the total amounts the organization received from all sources during its annual accounting period, without subtracting any costs or expenses. You should consider this year and the next 2 years.
❑ Yes ❑ No
2. Have your annual gross receipts exceeded $50,000 in any of the past 3 years? ❑ Yes ❑ No
3. Do you have total assets the fair market value of which is in excess of $250,000?

Total assets include cash, accounts receivable, inventories, bonds and notes receivable, corporate stocks, loans receivable, other investments, depreciable and depletable assets, land, buildings, equipment, and any other assets.
❑ Yes ❑ No
4. Were you formed under the laws of a foreign country (U.S. territories and possessions are not considered foreign countries)?

You are formed under the laws of a foreign country if you are not formed under the laws of (1) the United States, its states, territories, or possessions; (2) federally recognized Indian tribal or Alaskan native governments; or (3) the District of Columbia.
❑ Yes ❑ No
5. Is your mailing address in a foreign country (U.S. territories and possessions are not considered foreign countries)?

Your mailing address is the address where all correspondence will be sent.
❑ Yes ❑ No
6. Are you a successor to, or controlled by, an entity suspended under section 501(p) (suspension of tax-exempt status of terrorist organizations)?

Section 501(p)(1) suspends the exemption from tax under section 501(a) of any organization described in section 501(p)(2). An organization is described in section 501(p)(2) if the organization is designated or otherwise individually identified (1) under certain provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act as a terrorist organization or foreign terrorist organization; (2) in or pursuant to an Executive Order which is related to terrorism and issued under the authority of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act or section 5 of the United Nations Participation Act of 1945 for the purpose of imposing on such organization an economic or other sanction; or (3) in or pursuant to an Executive Order issued under the authority of any federal law, if the organization is designated or otherwise individually identified in or pursuant to the Executive Order as supporting or engaging in terrorist activity (as defined in the Immigration and Nationality Act) or supporting terrorism (as defined in the Foreign Relations Authorization Act) and the Executive Order refers to section 501(p)(2).

Under section 501(p)(3) of the Code, suspension of an organization’s tax exemption begins on the date of the first publication of a designation or identification with respect to the organization, as described above, or the date on which section 501(p) was enacted, whichever is later. This suspension continues until all designations and identifications of the organization are rescinded under the law or Executive Order under which such designation or identification was made.
❑ Yes ❑ No
7. Are you organized as an entity other than a corporation, unincorporated association, or trust?

Answer “Yes” if you are organized as an LLC under the laws of the state in which you were formed.
❑ Yes ❑ No
8. Are you formed as a for-profit entity? ❑ Yes ❑ No
9. Are you a successor to a for-profit entity?

You are a successor if you have:
 
  1. Substantially taken over all of the assets or activities of a for-profit entity;

  2. Been converted or merged from a for-profit entity; or

  3. Installed the same officers, directors, or trustees as a for-profit entity that no longer exists.

❑ Yes ❑ No
10. Were you previously revoked or are you a successor to a previously revoked organization (other than an organization the tax-exempt status of which was automatically revoked for failure to file a Form 990-series return for 3 consecutive years)?

Do not check “Yes” if your previous revocation, or your predecessor’s revocation, was an automatic revocation (pursuant to section 6033(j)) for failing to satisfy Form 990-series filing requirements for 3 consecutive years.
❑ Yes ❑ No
11. Are you currently recognized as tax exempt under another section of IRC 501(a) or were you previously exempt under another section of IRC 501(a)? ❑ Yes ❑ No
12. Are you a church or a convention or association of churches described in section 170(b)(1)(A)(i)?

There is no single definition of the word “church” for tax purposes; however, the characteristics generally attributed to churches include:
 
  • A distinct legal existence,

  • A recognized creed and form of worship,

  • A definite and distinct ecclesiastical government,

  • A formal code of doctrine and discipline,

  • A distinct religious history,

  • A membership not associated with any other church or denomination,

  • Ordained ministers ministering to the congregation,

  • Ordained ministers selected after completing prescribed courses of study,

  • A literature of its own,

  • Established places of worship,

  • Regular congregations,

  • Regular religious services,

  • Sunday schools for the religious instruction of the young, and

  • Schools for the preparation of ministers.



Although it is not necessary that each of the above characteristics be present, a congregation or other religious membership group that meets regularly for religious worship is generally required. A church includes mosques, temples, synagogues, and other forms of religious organizations. For more information, see Pub. 1828.
❑ Yes ❑ No
13. Are you a school, college, or university described in section 170(b)(1)(A)(ii)?

An organization is a school if it:
 
  1. Presents formal instruction as its primary function,

  2. Has a regularly scheduled curriculum,

  3. Has a regular faculty of qualified teachers,

  4. Has a regularly enrolled student body, and

  5. Has a place where educational activities are regularly carried on.



The term “school” includes primary schools, secondary schools, preparatory schools, high schools, colleges, and universities. It does not include organizations engaged in both educational and non-educational activities, unless the latter are merely incidental to the educational activities.
❑ Yes ❑ No
14. Are you a hospital or medical research organization described in section 170(b)(1)(A)(iii) or a hospital organization described in section 501(r)(2)(A)(i)?

An organization is a hospital described in section 170(b)(1)(A)(iii) if its principal purpose or function is providing medical or hospital care, or medical education or research. Medical care includes treatment of any physical or mental disability or condition, on an inpatient or outpatient basis. Thus, if an organization is a rehabilitation institution, outpatient clinic, or community mental health or drug treatment center, it is a hospital if its principal function is providing treatment services as described above.

A hospital does not include convalescent homes, homes for children or the aged, or institutions whose principal purpose or function is to train handicapped individuals to pursue a vocation.

An organization is a medical research organization described in section 170(b)(1)(A)(iii) if its principal purpose or function is the direct, continuous, and active conduct of medical research in conjunction with a hospital. The hospital with which the organization is affiliated must be described in section 501(c)(3), a federal hospital, or an instrumentality of a governmental unit, such as a municipal hospital.

An organization is a hospital organization described in section 501(r)(2)(A)(i) if the organization operates a facility which is required by a state to be licensed, registered, or similarly recognized as a hospital.
❑ Yes ❑ No
15. Are you an agricultural research organization described in section 170(b)(1)(A)(ix)?

An organization is an agricultural research organization described in section 170(b)(1)(A)(ix) if it is an agricultural research organization directly engaged in the continuous active conduct of agricultural research (as defined in section 1404 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977) in conjunction with a land grant college or university (as defined in such section) or a non-land grant college of agriculture (as defined in such section), and during the calendar year in which the contribution is made such organization is committed to spend such contribution for such research before January 1 of the fifth calendar year which begins after the date such contribution is made.
❑ Yes ❑ No
16. Are you applying for exemption as a cooperative hospital service organization under section 501(e)?

A cooperative hospital service organization described in section 501(e) is organized and operated on a cooperative basis to provide its section 501(c)(3) hospital members one or more of the following activities.
 
  • Data processing.

  • Purchasing (including purchasing insurance on a group basis).

  • Warehousing.

  • Billing and collection (including purchasing patron accounts receivable on a recourse basis).

  • Food.

  • Clinical.

  • Industrial engineering.

  • Laboratory.

  • Printing.

  • Communications.

  • Record center.

  • Personnel (including selecting, testing, training, and educating personnel) services.



A cooperative hospital service organization must also meet certain other requirements specified in section 501(e).
❑ Yes ❑ No
17. Are you applying for exemption as a cooperative service organization of operating educational organizations under section 501(f)?

An organization is a cooperative service organization of operating educational organizations if it is organized and operated solely to provide investment services to its members. Those members must be organizations described in section 170(b)(1)(A)(ii) or (iv) that are tax exempt under section 501(a) or whose income is excluded from taxation under section 115.
❑ Yes ❑ No
18. Are you applying for exemption as a qualified charitable risk pool under section 501(n)?

A qualified charitable risk pool is treated as organized and operated exclusively for charitable purposes. Check the appropriate box to indicate whether you are a charitable risk pool. A qualified charitable risk pool is an organization that:
 
  1. Is organized and operated only to pool insurable risks of its members (not including risks related to medical malpractice) and to provide information to its members about loss control and risk management,

  2. Consists only of members that are section 501(c)(3) organizations exempt from tax under section 501(a),

  3. Is organized under state law authorizing this type of risk pooling,

  4. Is exempt from state income tax (or will be after qualifying as a section 501(c)(3) organization),

  5. Has obtained at least $1,000,000 in startup capital from nonmember charitable organizations,

  6. Is controlled by a board of directors elected by its members, and

  7. Is organized under documents requiring that:

    1. Each member be a section 501(c)(3) organization exempt from tax under section 501(a),

    2. Each member that receives a final determination that it no longer qualifies under section 501(c)(3) notify the pool immediately, and

    3. Each insurance policy issued by the pool provides that it will not cover events occurring after a final determination described in (b).

❑ Yes ❑ No
19. Are you requesting classification as a supporting organization under section 509(a)(3)?

A supporting organization (as defined in section 509(a)(3)) differs from the other types of public charities described in section 509. Instead of describing an organization that conducts a particular kind of activity or that receives financial support from the general public, section 509(a)(3) describes organizations that have established certain relationships in support of public charities described in section 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2). Thus, an organization can qualify as a supporting organization (and not be classified as a private foundation) even though it may be funded by a single donor, family, or corporation. This kind of funding ordinarily would indicate private foundation status, but a section 509(a)(3) organization has limited purposes and activities, and gives up a significant degree of independence. A supporting organization is an organization that:
 
  1. Is organized and operated exclusively for the benefit of, to perform the functions of, or to carry out the purposes of one or more specified organizations as described in section 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2). These section 509(a)(1) and 509(a)(2) organizations are commonly called publicly supported organizations.

  2. Has one of three types of relationships with one or more organizations described in section 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2). It must be:

    1. Operated, supervised, or controlled by one or more section 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2) organizations (Type I supporting organization);

    2. Supervised or controlled in connection with one or more section 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2) organizations (Type II supporting organization); or

    3. Operated in connection with one or more section 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2) organizations (Type III supporting organization).

  3. Is not controlled directly or indirectly by disqualified persons (as defined in section 4946) other than foundation managers and other than one or more organizations described in section 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2).



See Pub. 557 for more information.
❑ Yes ❑ No
20. Is a substantial purpose of your activities to provide assistance to individuals through credit counseling activities such as budgeting, personal finance, financial literacy, mortgage foreclosure assistance, or other consumer credit areas?

These activities involve the education of the consumer on budgeting, personal finance, financial literacy, mortgage foreclosure assistance, or other consumer credit areas. It may also involve assisting the consumer in consolidating debt and negotiating between debtors and creditors to lower interest rates and waive late and over-limit fees.
❑ Yes ❑ No
21. Do you or will you invest 5% or more of your total assets in securities or funds that are not publicly traded? ❑ Yes ❑ No
22. Do you participate, or intend to participate, in partnerships (including entities or arrangements treated as partnerships for federal tax purposes) in which you share losses with partners other than section 501(c)(3) organizations? ❑ Yes ❑ No
23. Do you sell, or intend to sell carbon credits or carbon offsets? ❑ Yes ❑ No
24. Are you a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)? ❑ Yes ❑ No
25. Are you an Accountable Care Organization (ACO), or an organization that engages in, or intends to engage in, ACO activities (such as participation in the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) or in activities unrelated to the MSSP described in Notice 2011-20, 2011-16 I.R.B. 652)?

ACOs are entities formed by groups of physicians, hospitals, and other health care service providers and suppliers to manage and coordinate the care provided to patients. For a discussion of tax law issues relating to ACOs, see Notice 2011-20 and FS-2011-11, available at IRS.gov/uac/Tax-Exempt-Organizations-Participating-in-the-Medicare-Shared-Savings-Program-through-Accountable-Care-Organizations.
❑ Yes ❑ No
26. Do you maintain or intend to maintain one or more donor advised funds?

In general, a donor advised fund is a fund or account that is owned and controlled by the organization but that is separately identified by reference to contributions of a donor or donors and with respect to which a donor (or any person appointed or designated by the donor) has or expects to have advisory privileges concerning the distribution or investment of amounts held in the fund or account by reason of the donor’s status as a donor. For additional information, see Pub. 557.

Check “No” if you are a governmental unit referred to in section 170(c)(1) or a private foundation referred to in section 509(a).
❑ Yes ❑ No
27. Are you organized and operated exclusively for testing for public safety and requesting a foundation classification under section 509(a)(4)?

Generally, these organizations test consumer products to determine their acceptability for use by the general public.
❑ Yes ❑ No
28. Are you requesting classification as a private operating foundation?

Private foundations lack general public support. What distinguishes a private operating foundation from other private foundations is that it engages directly in the active conduct of charitable, religious, educational, and similar activities (as opposed to indirectly carrying out these activities by providing grants to individuals or other organizations). Private operating foundations are subject to more favorable rules than other private foundations in terms of charitable contribution deductions and attracting grants from private foundations. However, to be classified as a private operating foundation, an organization must meet certain tests. Additional information about private operating foundations is available at IRS.gov/Charities-&-Non-Profits/Private-Foundations/Private-Operating-Foundations.
❑ Yes ❑ No
29. Are you applying for reinstatement under section 4 of Rev. Proc. 2014‐11, and seeking to change your foundation classification from the classification you had at the time of your revocation?
Only organizations that are seeking the same foundation classification that they had at the time of revocation may use Form 1023‐EZ to apply for reinstatement under section 4 of Rev. Proc. 2014‐11. If you wish to change your foundation classification, you must use the full Form 1023.
❑ Yes ❑ No
30. Are you applying for retroactive reinstatement of exemption under section 5 or 6 of Rev. Proc. 2014-11, after being automatically revoked?

Only organizations applying for reinstatement under section 4 or 7 of Rev. Proc. 2014-11 may use Form 1023-EZ. If you are applying for retroactive reinstatement under section 5 or 6 of Rev. Proc. 2014-11, you must submit the full Form 1023 along with the appropriate reasonable cause statement and a statement confirming you have filed the required annual returns as described in the revenue procedure.
❑ Yes ❑ No
 

Instructions for Form 1023-EZ - Additional Material

National Taxonomy of Exempt Entities (NTEE) Codes.

Arts, Culture & Humanities

Code

A01 - Alliances & Advocacy
A02 - Management & Technical Assistance
A03 - Professional Societies & Associations
A05 - Research Institutes & Public Policy Analysis
A11 - Single Organization Support
A12 - Fund Raising & Fund Distribution
A19 - Support N.E.C.
A20 - Arts & Culture
A23 - Cultural & Ethnic Awareness
A24 - Folk Arts
A25 - Art Education
A26 - Arts & Humanities Councils & Agencies
A27 - Community Celebrations
A30 - Media & Communications
A31 - Film & Video
A32 - Television
A33 - Printing & Publishing
A34 - Radio
A40 - Visual Arts
A50 - Museums
A51 - Art Museums
A52 - Children’s Museums
A54 - History Museums
A56 - Natural History & Natural Science Museums
A57 - Science & Technology Museums
A60 - Performing Art
A61 - Performing Arts Centers
A62 - Dance
A63 - Ballet
A65 - Theater
A68 - Music
A69 - Symphony Orchestras
A6A - Opera
A6B - Singing & Choral Groups
A6C - Bands & Ensembles
A6E - Performing Arts Schools
A70 - Humanities Organizations
A80 - Historical Organizations
A82 - Historical Societies & Historic Preservation
A84 - Commemorative Events
A90 - Arts Service
A99 - Arts, Culture & Humanities N.E.C.

Education

Code

B01 - Alliances & Advocacy Organizations
B02 - Management & Technical Assistance
B03 - Professional Society & Associations
B05 - Research Institutes & Public Policy Analysis
B11 - Single Organization Support
B12 - Fund Raising & Fund Distribution
B19 - Support N.E.C.
B20 - Elementary & Secondary Schools
B21 - Preschools
B24 - Primary & Elementary Schools
B25 - Secondary & High Schools
B28 - Special Education
B29 - Charter Schools
B30 - Vocational & Technical Schools
B40 - Higher Education Institutions
B41 - Two-Year Colleges
B42 - Two-Year Colleges
B43 - Undergraduate Colleges
B50 - Graduate & Professional Schools
B60 - Adult Education
B70 - Libraries
B80 - Student Services
B82 - Scholarships & Student Financial Aid
B83 - Student Sororities & Fraternities
B84 - Alumni Associations
B90 - Educational Services
B92 - Remedial Reading & Encouragement
B94 - Parent & Teacher Groups
B99 - Education N.E.C.

Environment

Code

C01 - Alliances & Advocacy
C02 - Management & Technical Assistance
C03 - Professional Societies & Associations
C05 - Research Institutes & Public Policy Analysis
C11 - Single Organization Support
C12 - Fund Raising & Fund Distribution
C19 - Support N.E.C.
C20 - Pollution Abatement & Control
C27 - Recycling
C30 - Natural Resources Conservation & Protection
C32 - Water Resources, Wetland Conservation & Management
C34 - Land Resources Conservation
C35 - Energy Resources Conservation & Development
C36 - Forest Conservation
C40 - Botanical, Horticultural & Landscape Services
C41 - Botanical Gardens & Arboreta
C42 - Garden Clubs
C50 - Environmental Beautification
C60 - Environmental Education
C99 - Environmental N.E.C.

Animal-Related

Code

D01 - Alliance & Advocacy
D02 - Management & Technical Assistance
D03 - Professional Societies & Associations
D05 - Research Institutes & Public Policy Analysis
D11 - Single Organization Support
D12 - Fund Raising & Fund Distribution
D19 - Support N.E.C.
D20 - Animal Protection & Welfare
D30 - Wildlife Preservation & Protection
D31 - Protection of Endangered Species
D32 - Bird Sanctuaries
D33 - Fisheries Resources
D34 - Wildlife Sanctuaries
D40 - Veterinary Services
D50 - Zoos & Aquariums
D60 - Animal Services N.E.C.
D61 - Animal Training
D99 - Animal Related N.E.C.

Health Care

Code

E01 - Alliances & Advocacy
E02 - Management & Technical Assistance
E03 - Professional Societies & Associations
E05 - Research Institutes & Public Policy Analysis
E11 - Single Organization Support
E12 - Fund Raising & Fund Distribution
E19 - Support N.E.C.
E20 - Hospitals
E21 - Community Health Systems
E22 - General Hospitals
E24 - Specialty Hospitals
E30 - Ambulatory & Primary Health Care
E31 - Group Health Practices
E32 - Community Clinics
E40 - Reproductive Health Care
E42 - Family Planning
E50 - Rehabilitative Care
E60 - Health Support
E61 - Blood Banks
E62 - Emergency Medical Services & Transport
E65 - Organ & Tissue Banks
E6A - Pharmacies & Drugstores
E70 - Public Health
E80 - Health (General & Financing)
E86 - Patient & Family Support
E90 - Nursing
E91 - Nursing Facilities
E92 - Home Health Care
E99 - Health Care N.E.C.

Mental Health & Crisis Intervention

Code

F01 - Alliances & Advocacy
F02 - Management & Technical Assistance
F03 - Professional Societies & Associations
F05 - Research Institutes & Public Policy Analysis
F11 - Single Organization Support
F12 - Fund Raising & Fund Distribution
F19 - Support N.E.C.
F20 - Substance Abuse Dependency, Prevention & Treatment
F21 - Substance Abuse Prevention
F22 - Substance Abuse Treatment
F30 - Mental Health Treatment
F31 - Psychiatric Hospitals
F32 - Community Mental Health Centers
F33 - Residential Mental Health Treatment
F40 - Hot Line & Crisis Intervention
F42 - Sexual Assault Services
F50 - Addictive Disorders N.E.C.
F52 - Smoking Addiction
F53 - Eating Disorders & Addictions
F54 - Gambling Addiction
F60 - Counseling
F70 - Mental Health Disorders
F80 - Mental Health Associations
F99 - Mental Health & Crisis Intervention N.E.C.

Volutary Health Associations & Medical Disciplines

Code

G01 - Alliances & Advocacy
G02 - Management & Technical Assistance
G03 - Professional Societies & Associations
G05 - Research Institute & Public Policy Analysis
G11 - Single Organization Support
G12 - Fund Raising & Fund Distribution
G19 - Support N.E.C.
G20 - Birth Defects & Genetic Diseases
G25 - Down Syndrome
G30 - Cancer
G32 - Breast Cancer
G40 - Diseases of Specific Organs
G41 - Eye Diseases, Blindness & Vision Impairments
G42 - Ear & Throat Diseases
G43 - Heart & Circulator System Diseases & Disorders
G44 - Kidney Diseases
G45 - Lung Diseases
G48 - Brain Disorder
G50 - Nerve, Muscle, & Bone Diseases
G51 - Arthritis
G54 - Epilepsy
G60 - Allergy Related Diseases
G61 - Asthma
G70 - Digestive Diseases & Disorders
G80 - Specific Named Disorders
G81 - AIDS
G83 - Alzheimer’s Diseases
G84 - Autism
G90 - Medical Disciplines
G92 - Biomedicine & Bioengineering
G94 - Geriatrics
G96 - Neurology & Neuroscience
G98 - Pediatrics
G99 - Voluntary Health Associations, Medical Disciplines N.E.C.
G9B - Surgical Specialties

Medical Research

Code

H01 - Alliances & Advocacy
H02 - Management & Technical Assistance
H03 - Professional Societies & Associations
H05 - Research Institute & Public Policy Analysis
H11 - Single Organization Support
H12 - Fund Raising & Fund Distribution
H19 - Support N.E.C.
H20 - Birth Defects & Genetic Diseases Research
H25 - Down Syndrome Research
H30 - Cancer Research
H32 - Breast Cancer Research
H40 - Diseases of Specific Organs Research
H41 - Eye Diseases, Blindness & Vision Impairments Research
H42 - Ear & Throat Diseases Research
H43 - Heart & Circulatory System Diseases & Disorders Research
H44 - Kidney Diseases Research
H45 - Lung Diseases Research
H48 - Brain Disorders Research
H50 - Nerve, Muscle & Bone Diseases Research
H51 - Arthritis Research
H54 - Epilepsy Research
H60 - Allergy-Related Diseases Research
H61 - Asthma Research
H70 - Digestive Diseases & Disorders Research
H80 - Specifically Named Diseases Research
H81 - AIDS Research
H83 - Alzheimer’s Disease Research
H84 - Autism Research
H90 - Medical Disciplines Research
H92 - Biomedicine & Bioengineering Research
H94 - Geriatrics Research
H96 - Neurology & Neuroscience Research
H98 - Pediatrics Research
H99 - Medical Research N.E.C.
H9B - Surgical Specialties Research

Crime & Legal-Related

Code

I01 - Alliances & Advocacy
I02 - Management & Technical Assistance
I03 - Professional Societies & Associations
I05 - Research Institutes & Public Policy Analysis
I11 - Single Organization Support
I12 - Fund Raising & Fund Distribution
I19 - Support N.E.C.
I20 - Crime Prevention
I21 - Youth Violence Prevention
I23 - Drunk Driving-Related
I30 - Correctional Facilities
I31 - Half-Way Houses for Offenders & Ex-Offenders
I40 - Rehabilitation Services for Offenders
I43 - Inmate Support
I44 - Prison Alternatives
I50 - Administration of Justice
I51 - Dispute Resolution & Mediation
I60 - Law Enforcement
I70 - Protection Against Abuse
I71 - Spouse Abuse Prevention
I72 - Child Abuse Prevention
I73 - Sexual Abuse Prevention
I80 - Legal Services
I83 - Public Interest Law
I99 - Crime & Legal-Related N.E.C.

Employment

Code

J01 - Alliances & Advocacy
J02 - Management & Technical Assistance
J03 - Professional Societies & Associations
J05 - Single Organization Support
J11 - Consumer Lending
J12 - Fund Raising & Fund Distribution
J19 - Support N.E.C.
J20 - Employment Preparation & Procurement
J21 - Vocational Counseling
J22 - Job Training
J30 - Vocational Rehabilitation
J32 - Goodwill Industries
J33 - Sheltered Employment
J40 - Labor Unions
J99 - Employment N.E.C.

Food, Agriculture & Nutrition

Code

K01 - Alliances & Advocacy
K02 - Management & Technical Assistance
K03 - Professional Societies & Associations
K05 - Research Institutes & Public Policy Analysis
K11 - Single Organization Support
K12 - Fund Raising & Fund Distribution
K19 - Support N.E.C.
K20 - Agricultural Programs
K25 - Farmland Preservation
K26 - Animal Husbandry
K28 - Farm Bureaus & Granges
K2A - Other Vegetable (except Potato) & Melon Farming
K2B - Soil Preparation, Planting, & Cultivating
K2C - Wineries
K30 - Food Programs
K31 - Food Banks & Pantries
K34 - Congregate Meals
K35 - Soup Kitchens
K36 - Meals on Wheels
K40 - Nutrition
K50 - Home Economics
K6A - Meat Markets
K6B - Confectionery & Nut Stores
K6C - Caterers
K6D - Mobile Food Services
K6E - Drinking Places
K6F - Snack Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars
K90 - Limited-Service Restaurants
K91 - Supermarkets & Other Grocery (except Convenience) Stores
K92 - Convenience Stores
K93 - Fruit & Vegetable Markets
K94 - All Other Specialty Food Stores
K95 - Food (Health) Supplement Stores
K96 - Warehouse Clubs & Supercenters
K97 - Food Service Contractors
K98 - Full-Service Restaurants
K99 - Food, Agriculture & Nutrition N.E.C.

Housing & Shelter

Code

L01 - Alliances & Advocacy
L02 - Management & Technical Assistance
L03 - Professional Societies & Associations
L05 - Research Institutes & Public Policy Analysis
L11 - Single Organization Support
L12 - Fund Raising & Fund Distribution
L19 - Support N.E.C.
L20 - Housing Development, Construction & Management
L21 - Low-Income & Subsidized Rental Housing
L22 - Senior Citizens’ Housing & Retirement Communities
L24 - Independent Housing for People with Disabilities
L25 - Housing Rehabilitation
L30 - Housing Search Assistance
L40 - Temporary Housing
L41 - Homeless Shelters
L4A - Hotels (except Casino Hotels) & Motels
L4B - Bed and Breakfast Inns
L50 - Homeowners & Tenants Associations
L80 - Housing Support
L81 - Home Improvement & Repairs
L82 - Housing Expense Reduction Support
L99 - Housing & Shelter N.E.C.

Public Safety, Disaster Preparedness & Relief

Code

M01 - Alliances & Advocacy
M02 - Management & Technical Assistance
M03 - Professional Societies & Associations
M05 - Research Institutes & Public Policy Analysis
M11 - Single Organization Support
M12 - Fund Raising & Fund Distribution
M19 - Support N.E.C.
M20 - Disaster Preparedness & Relief Services
M23 - Search & Rescue Squads
M24 - Fire Prevention
M40 - Safety Education
M41 - First Aid
M42 - Automotive Safety
M60 - Public Safety Benevolent Associations
M99 - Public Safety, Disaster Preparedness & Relief N.E.C.

Recreation & Sports

Code

N01 - Alliances & Advocacy
N02 - Employment Services
N03 - Professional Societies & Associations
N05 - Research Institutes & Public Policy Analysis
N11 - Single Organization Support
N12 - Fund Raising & Fund Distribution
N19 - Support N.E.C.
N20 - Camps
N2A - RV (Recreational Vehicle) Parks & Campgrounds
N2B - Recreational and Vacation Camps (Except Campgrounds)
N30 - Physical Fitness & Community Recreational Facilities
N31 - Community Recreational Centers
N32 - Parks & Playgrounds
N40 - Sports Training Facilities, Agencies
N50 - Recreational Clubs
N52 - Fairs
N60 - Amateur Sports
N61 - Fishing & Hunting
N62 - Basketball
N63 - Baseball & Softball
N64 - Soccer
N65 - Football
N66 - Racquet Sports
N67 - Swimming & Other Water Recreation
N68 - Winter Sports
N69 - Equestrian
N6A - Golf
N70 - Amateur Sports Competitions
N71 - Olympics
N72 - Special Olympics
N80 - Professional Athletic Leagues
N99 - Recreation & Sports N.E.C.

Youth Development

Code

O01 - Alliances & Advocacy
O02 - Management & Technical Assistance
O03 - Professional Societies & Associations
O05 - Research Institutes & Public Policy Analysis
O11 - Single Organization Support
O12 - Fund Raising & Fund Distribution
O19 - Support N.E.C.
O20 - Youth Centers & Clubs
O21 - Boys Clubs
O22 - Girls Clubs
O23 - Boys & Girls Clubs
O30 - Adult & Child - Matching Programs
O31 - Big Brothers & Big Sisters
O40 - Scouting
O41 - Boy Scouts of America
O42 - Girl Scouts of the U.S.A.
O43 - Camp Fire
O50 - Youth Development Programs
O51 - Youth Community Service Clubs
O52 - Youth Development - Agricultural
O53 - Youth Development - Business
O54 - Youth Development - Citizenship
O55 - Youth Development - Religious Leadership
O99 - Youth Development N.E.C.

Human Services

Code

P01 - Alliances & Advocacy
P02 - Management & Technical Assistance
P03 - Professional Societies & Associations
P05 - Research Institutes & Public Policy Analysis
P11 - Single Organization Support
P12 - Fund Raising & Fund Distribution
P19 - Support N.E.C.
P20 - Human Service Organizations
P21 - American Red Cross
P22 - Urban League
P24 - Salvation Army
P26 - Volunteers of America
P27 - Young Men’s or Women’s Associations
P28 - Neighborhood Centers
P29 - Thrift Shops
P30 - Children & Youth Services
P31 - Adoption
P32 - Foster Care
P33 - Child Day Care
P40 - Family Services
P42 - Single Parent Agencies
P43 - Family Violence Shelters, Services
P44 - In-Home Assistance
P45 - Family Services for Adolescent Parents
P46 - Family Counseling
P47 - Pregnancy Centers
P50 - Personal Social Services
P51 - Financial Counseling
P52 - Transportation Assistance
P58 - Gift Distribution
P60 - Emergency Assistance
P61 - Travelers’ Aid
P62 - Victims’ Services
P70 - Residential Care & Adult Day Programs
P71 - Adult Day Care
P73 - Group Homes
P74 - Hospices
P75 - Supportive Housing for Older Adults
P76 - Homes for Children & Adolescents
P7A - Residential Intellectual & Developmental Disability Facilities (Group Homes, Intermediate Care Facilities & Hospitals)
P80 - Centers to Support the Independence of Specific Populations
P81 - Senior Centers
P82 - Developmentally Disabled Centers
P83 - Womens’ Centers
P84 - Ethnic & Immigrant Centers
P85 - Homeless Centers
P86 - Blind & Visually Impaired Centers
P87 - Deaf & Hearing Impaired Centers
P88 - LGBT Centers
P99 - Human Services N.E.C.

International, Foreign Affairs & National Security

Code

Q01 - Alliances & Advocacy
Q02 - Management & Technical Assistance
Q03 - Professional Societies & Associations
Q05 - Research Institutes & Public Policy Analysis
Q11 - Single Organization Support
Q12 - Fund Raising & Fund Distribution
Q19 - Support N.E.C.
Q20 - Promotion of International Understanding
Q21 - International Cultural Exchange
Q22 - International Academic Exchange
Q23 - International Exchange N.E.C.
Q30 - International Development
Q31 - International Agricultural Development
Q32 - International Economic Development
Q33 - International Relief
Q35 - International Democracy & Civil Society Development
Q40 - International Peace & Security
Q41 - Arms Control & Peace
Q42 - United Nations Associations
Q43 - National Security
Q50 - International Affairs, Foreign Policy & Globalization
Q51 - International Economic & Trade Policy
Q70 - International Human Rights
Q71 - International Migration & Refugee Issues
Q99 - International, Foreign Affairs & National Security N.E.C.

Civil Rights, Social Action & Advocacy

Code

R01 - Alliances & Advocacy Organizations
R02 - Management & Technical Assistance
R03 - Professional Societies & Associations
R05 - Research Institutes & Public Policy Analysis
R11 - Single Organization Support
R12 - Fund Raising & Fund Distribution
R19 - Support N.E.C.
R20 - Civil Rights
R22 - Minority Rights
R23 - Disabled Persons’ Rights
R24 - Womens’ Rights
R25 - Seniors’ Rights
R26 - Lesbian & Gay Rights
R28 - Children’s Rights
R30 - Intergroup & Race Relations
R40 - Voter Education & Registration
R60 - Civil Liberties
R61 - Reproductive Rights
R62 - Right to Life
R63 - Censorship, Freedom of Speech & Press
R67 - Right to Die & Euthanasia
R99 - Civil Rights, Social Action & Advocacy N.E.C.

Community Improvement & Capacity Building

Code

S01 - Alliances & Advocacy
S02 - Management & Technical Assistance
S03 - Professional Societies & Associations
S05 - Research Institutes & Public Policy Analysis
S11 - Single Organization Support
S12 - Fund Raising & Fund Distribution
S19 - Support N.E.C.
S20 - Community & Neighborhood Development
S21 - Community Coalitions
S22 - Neighborhood & Block Associations
S30 - Economic Development
S31 - Urban & Community Economic Development
S32 - Rural Economic Development
S40 - Business & Industry
S41 - Chambers of Commerce & Business Leagues
S43 - Small Business Development
S46 - Boards of Trade
S47 - Real Estate Associations
S50 - Nonprofit Management
S80 - Community Service Clubs
S81 - Women’s Service Clubs
S82 - Men’s Service Clubs
S99 - Community Improvement & Capacity Building N.E.C.

Philanthropy, Volunteerism & Grantmaking Foundations

Code

T01 - Alliances & Advocacy
T02 - Management & Technical Assistance
T03 - Professional Societies & Associations
T05 - Research Institutes & Public Policy Analysis
T11 - Single Organization Support
T12 - Fund Raising & Fund Distribution
T19 - Support N.E.C.
T20 - Private Grantmaking Foundations
T21 - Corporate Foundations
T22 - Private Independent Foundations
T23 - Private Operating Foundations
T30 - Public Foundations
T31 - Community Foundations
T40 - Voluntaryism Promotion
T50 - Philanthropy, Charity & Voluntaryism Promotion
T70 - Federated Giving Programs
T90 - Named Trusts N.E.C.
T99 - Philanthropy, Voluntaryism & Grantmaking Foundations N.E.C.

Science & Technology

Code

U01 - Alliances & Advocacy
U02 - Management & Technical Assistance
U03 - Professional Societies & Associations
U05 - Research Institutes & Public Policy Analysis
U11 - Single Organization Support
U12 - Fund Raising & Fund Distribution
U19 - Support N.E.C.
U20 - General Science
U21 - Marine Science & Oceanography
U30 - Physical & Earth Sciences
U31 - Astronomy
U33 - Chemistry & Chemical Engineering
U34 - Mathematics
U36 - Geology
U40 - Engineering & Technology
U41 - Computer Science
U42 - Engineering
U50 - Biological & Life Sciences Research
U99 - Science & Technology N.E.C.

Social Science

Code

V01 - Alliances & Advocacy
V02 - Management & Technical Assistance
V03 - Professional Societies & Associations
V05 - Research Institutes & Public Policy Analysis
V11 - Single Organization Support
V12 - Fund Raising & Fund Distribution
V19 - Support N.E.C.
V20 - Social Science
V21 - Anthropology & Sociology
V22 - Economics
V23 - Behavioral Science
V24 - Political Science
V25 - Population Studies
V26 - Law & Jurisprudence
V30 - Interdisciplinary Research
V31 - Black Studies
V32 - Women’s Study
V33 - Ethnic Studies
V34 - Urban Studies
V35 - International Studies
V36 - Gerontology
V37 - Labor Studies
V99 - Social Science N.E.C.

Public & Societal Benefit

Code

W01 - Alliances & Advocacy
W02 - Management & Technical Assistance
W03 - Professional Societies & Associations
W05 - Research Institutes & Public Policy Analysis
W11 - Single Organization Support
W12 - Fund Raising & Fund Distribution
W19 - Support N.E.C.
W20 - Government & Public Administration
W22 - Public Finance, Taxation & Monetary Policy
W24 - Citizen Participation
W30 - Military & Veterans’ Organizations
W40 - Public Transportation Systems
W50 - Telecommunications
W60 - Financial Institutions
W61 - Credit Unions
W70 - Leadership Development
W80 - Public Utilities
W90 - Consumer Protection
W99 - Public & Societal Benefit N.E.C.

Religion-Related

Code

X01 - Alliances & Advocacy
X02 - Management & Technical Assistance
X03 - Professional Societies & Associations
X05 - Research Institutes & Public Policy Analysis
X11 - Single Organization Support
X12 - Fund Raising & Fund Distribution
X19 - Support N.E.C.
X20 - Christianity
X21 - Protestant
X22 - Roman Catholic
X30 - Judaism
X40 - Islam
X50 - Buddhism
X70 - Hinduism
X80 - Religious Media & Communications
X81 - Religious Film & Video
X82 - Religious Television
X83 - Religious Printing & Publishing
X84 - Religious Radio
X90 - Interfaith Coalitions
X99 - Religion Related, N.E.C.

Mutual & Membership Benefit

Code

Y01 - Alliances & Advocacy
Y02 - Management & Technical Assistance
Y03 - Professional Societies & Associations
Y05 - Research Institutes & Public Policy Analysis
Y11 - Single Organization Support
Y12 - Fund Raising & Fund Distribution
Y19 - Support N.E.C.
Y20 - Insurance Providers
Y22 - Local Benevolent Life Insurance Associations
Y23 - Mutual Insurance Companies & Associations
Y24 - Supplemental Unemployment Compensation
Y25 - State-Sponsored Workers’ Compensation Reinsurance Organizations
Y30 - Pension & Retirement Funds
Y33 - Teachers’ Retirement Fund Associations
Y34 - Employee-Funded Pension Trusts
Y35 - Multi-Employer Pension Plans
Y40 - Fraternal Societies
Y41 - Fraternal Beneficiary Societies
Y42 - Domestic Fraternal Societies
Y43 - Voluntary Employees Beneficiary Associations (Non-Government)
Y44 - Voluntary Employees Beneficiary Associations (Government)
Y50 - Cemeteries
Y99 - Mutual & Membership Benefit N.E.C.