I’m thinking about making a non-profit organization that fundraises money for donation, but I’m not sure how to make one. Do you just “make” an organization with a name and boom? Or is there a professional process I have to go through?
There is a process you need to follow to first create the legal entity in your state as per your state’s laws, and then follow the IRS’s process to become a tax exempt 501(c)3 organization.
But more importantly - why do you want to start one? If you’re doing it for college admissions, you should be aware that it’s been way overdone and is unlikely to impress AOs these days.
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Without more information, it is usually better to fundraise for an existing not for profit.
Setting up a non for profit involves filing legal papers, is time consuming, and costs $$.
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There is a legal process you must go through in order to create a nonprofit organization, including forming a board of directors,drafting bylaws, and filing paperwork with the IRS in order to receive a 501(3)c tax exempt status. It is a long, bureaucratic process.
The other option is to get fiscal sponsorship through an existing nonprofit that will basically allow you to use their tax exempt status in exchange for a fee or some other arrangement.
However, the nonprofit field is saturated and unless you have a truly unique idea that fills an unmet need, it is not a good idea to form a nonprofit.
Find an existing nonprofit and volunteer for them or fundraise for them. Or start a school club around a topic of issue.
Do not start a nonprofit without a truly compelling reason to do so and without a long term sustainability plan.
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What @worriedmomucb said 
Starting a nonprofit should be done as part of a long game. Something you intend to be devoted to for years. It is a legal entity and will need a board of directors to be the legal oversight.
If you want to do something to help a cause, find an agency that is already addressing that need.
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How do you start a non-profit organization
You don’t. At least not for the purposes of “making [my] application look better.” Because you better believe that every single AO does an eye roll 99.9% of the time they read “non-profit,” particularly since the vast majority of applicants use the term incorrectly.
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Why do you want to do this? Why not volunteer with an existing organization?
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And if you are under a certain age, you will need an adult to actually help set this up with you. You won’t be able to do it alone.
There are so many worthy non-profits already. Find one and help one of them in a meaningful way. That’s a good use of your time…and effort.
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Why not get involved and work to make a meaningful contribution to one of the MANY wonderful organizations that already exist?
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Please find a worthy cause and a best in class non-profit that does good work in that area. Do not register yet another short lived organization! Admissions counselors see through this predictable move, it will hurt your application more than it could help it.
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