Organizing FAQs

A Faith Based Organization, hereinafter (FBO), is a corporation whose primary purpose or activities are religious or religiously motivated.  We use the term FBO to describe Churches, Integrated Auxiliaries, and Association of Churches.

Yes!

For any person who wants to set up a Faith Based Organization whose primary purpose or activities are religious or religiously motivated.

Once you have chosen your initial board of directors, we take care of the rest.

Yes.  A 508 may be a 1) church or, an 2) association of churches or, 3) an integrated auxillary of a church.

A 508 is not a

• PMA
• SSM
• 508 Trust

Yes.  Many times there is a group of like-minded FBO’s that want to share an affiliation but not give up their independence or local control.

Yes.  A 508 FBO  may ordain and license it’s own leaders.

• The Articles of Organization
• Certificate of Incorporation
• UBI Number
• SS4 and Tax Identification Number
• Certificate of Existence/Authorization
• Charities registration exemption letter signed by the Secretary of State listing the 508 as an tax exempt organization
• First year registered agent services
• Bylaws template
• Sample first minutes of board meeting
• Letter explaining tax exemption
• Letter explaining how to open a bank account in your state

We can organize a 508(C)(1)(A) in any state, however, this list of what comes with a 508(C)(1)(A) is for all Washington State formations and may not be available in other states.

In addition, if your ministry will be doing international work we can acquire and Apostille. An “Apostille” is a form of authentication issued to documents for use in countries that participate in the Hague Convention of 1961. A list of countries that accept apostilles is provided by the U.S. State Department.  There is a separate fee for Apostille orders.

Within 20 days.

Yes, but the signature does not have to be original.

Our registered agent services is offered by Northwest Corporate Services. The first year of registered agent service is included with the 508 filing.  After the first year Northwest Corporate Services charges a $100 per year fee to serve as the registered agent.

Yes!  Washington Corporation’s work in all 50 states.  If used in another state you may need to register as a foreign corporation depending on your states laws and the type of activity.

Washington is a very popular location for non-profit organizations because we have both Non-Profit Registration and the Charities Program administered by the same agency, the Secretary of State. Many states restrict religious expression. Washington allows religious organization’s to exercise religion equal to what a natural man or woman can do.

Nonprofit organizations are not all the same; some have rights and benefits that others do not.  Nonprofit formation is governed and empowered with rights and privileges from state laws.  State laws vary state by state.  

Most of our filings are form Washington State because 1) State law provides the same rights as the “natural man and woman, including the right to buy, sell, enter contracts, hire legal counsel, sue and be sued”, 2) Only Washington State will file the record the ministry as A) Nonprofit, B) Tax Exempt, C) Classified as a 508(c)(1)(a) Church, D) Having 501(c)(3) Status.  Washington State also issues a Charities Registration Exemption Letter stating the ministry never has to report for any fundraising for the life of the ministry.  

We can organize a 508(C)(1)(A) in any state, however, other states may not offer all the benefits that Washington State offers.  

Washington is unique in offering a charities registration exemption letter to FBO’s. The letter acknowledges that FBO’s do not have to report for any fund raising. The Secretary of State lists the FBO as tax exempt and able to raise money from the public.

$10 a year in Washington.  California is $800.