Nonprofit FAQs
Starting a Nonprofit
Starting a new nonprofit is a large undertaking and is an in-depth, legal process involving both state and federal government agencies. Please see Starting a Nonprofit for more information.
You can file for your Federal EIN by visiting the IRS website.
You can search the IRS website to look up your organization’s Federal EIN.
Utah’s Charitable Solicitations Act was changed by the Utah Legislature and those changes are now in effect. The primary change that affects your charitable organization is where you register and the information that you register. This change is significant, so please read this notice carefully.
Effective January 1, 2025, all domestic and foreign nonprofits that do business in Utah are required to register the nonprofit entity with the Utah Division of Corporations and Commercial Code (DCCC) and annually upload a copy of the nonprofit’s most recently filed IRS Form 990, 990-EZ, 990-N, or 990-PF… and that’s it! You no longer need to submit the seven-page DCP application, statement of functional expenses, or any other documentation (except the Form 990). Please note, your DCP charities registration number (ending in “-CHAR”) is no longer valid. When you register your nonprofit entity with DCCC, you will be assigned an entity number (ending in “-0140 or -0141”).
DCCC will collect the Form 990 in the following ways:
- Annual Report/Renewal: For existing nonprofit charitable organizations (both domestic and foreign) that have already registered their entity with DCCC, you will upload your most recently filed Form 990 when you file your Annual Report/Renewal.
- Entity Formation: For existing nonprofit charitable organizations that are not yet registered with DCCC (both domestic and foreign), you will upload your most recently filed 990 during the initial registration of the nonprofit entity with DCCC.
- Please note, brand new nonprofits will not have a filed Form 990 during the first year of operation. These nonprofits will upload the Form 990 when they file their first Annual Report/Renewal.
Based upon DCP records, a large number of foreign nonprofit charitable organizations were registered with DCP as a charitable organization, but never registered the nonprofit entity with DCCC, even though the nonprofit entity was conducting business in Utah. If you are unsure if your nonprofit is conducting business in Utah and must file with DCCC, please consult Utah Code § 16-6a-1501. If your nonprofit falls into this category, please register immediately. A foreign nonprofit entity registering with DCCC for the first time will also upload a Certificate of Existence (or Good Standing depending on the state) with the Form 990. For more information about registering a foreign nonprofit entity in Utah, please visit: corporations.utah.gov/business-entities/foreign-non-profit-corporation (FAQs are found towards the bottom of the webpage).
The role of the Utah Division of Corporations and Commercial Code is simply to be a repository for the Form 990 on behalf of the Utah Division of Consumer Protection. The Form 990 will be made available to the public. For questions regarding the business entity registration process, please contact DCCC at corporations.utah.gov.
The Utah Division of Consumer Protection still enforces Utah’s Charitable Solicitations Act (CSA), Utah Code § 13-22-1 et seq., which includes issuing fines to a nonprofit charitable organization that is not in compliance with this new provision of the CSA. For questions about enforcement of the CSA, please contact DCP at dcpregistrations@utah.gov.
UNA does not currently offer fiscal sponsorships.
Questions about fiscal sponsorship?
Please review the Fiscal Sponsorship Toolkit by Communities of Opportunity and Communities Rise and the Fiscal Sponsorship Guide by the National Council of Nonprofits.
Below is a list of organizations that may offer fiscal sponsorship:
- UI Charitable – Provo, UT
Operating a Nonprofit
Nonprofit funding comes from many different channels including grants, foundations, government grants, individual donors, corporate sponsorships, and others. Many funding opportunities are built upon trusted relationships developed through outreach within your community.
Applying for and acquiring grants can be a tricky process. Grants are available at the federal level and can be found at Grants.gov. Grants available at the Utah state level can be found at utahgrants.utah.gov. You can also search for foundations locally or use an online subscription directory. UNA Members have access to GrantStation, an online grant database, at a discounted rate.
UNA Members can post open board positions on the UNA Volunteer Board. Not a member? Join today to access this benefit!
UNA Members can post open board positions on the UNA Job Board. Not a member? Join today to access this benefit!
While UNA does not offer consulting, coaching, or mentorship directly, being part of the UNA network is the best way to build your organizational capacity. Sign up for an upcoming training and search the UNA Business Affiliate Directory to connect with professionals that provide services from grant writing, accounting, or strategic planning to insurance or HR consulting. Don’t see exactly what you’re looking for? Contact us to learn about more options.
Membership and Account Support
You do not have to be a nonprofit to join UNA! Individuals, government entities, and businesses are all welcome to join UNA. Because they are 501(c)(3)’s, we also welcome and support religious organizations of all kinds. For more information, visit our About Membership page. Please note that specific member benefits may vary by membership type.
UNA nonprofit membership is available to all 501(c) charitable organizations.
UNA will reach out to you six (6) weeks before your membership is up for renewal. Please email our Membership Manager, Warren Miterko, at wmiterko@utahnonprofits.org if you have questions regarding your membership.
If you've had a UNA Membership in the past that has lapsed and you'd like to renew, please contact Warren Miterko for an invoice.
Contact Warren Miterko if you've forgotten your password, or need instructions on how to add and remove Member Info Hub staff access.
Creating an account will not work unless you or your organization have a current membership with UNA. If you are unsure of your membership status, please contact Warren Miterko at wmiterko@utahnonprofits.org.
UNA Info Hub logins are designed to be created and used by individuals. Please do not share logins!
Learn more about your membership benefits here and in the Member Info Hub.
No, we proudly support nationwide and international nonprofits of all kinds. Some benefits are specifically geared towards nonprofits with staff located in Utah (health insurance, locally focused training and networking, state-level advocacy), but membership can be beneficial to the staff and operations of any nonprofit, no matter where they serve their mission.
Advocacy and Sector Insights
Yes, nonprofit organizations can lobby. Learn more about the importance of advocacy and lobbying for nonprofit organizations.
There are over 11,000 nonprofits currently registered in Utah. To view the full list, you can download the IRS Exempt Organizations Business Master File.
You can find UNA members by visiting our Nonprofit Member Directory.
For an overview of the nonprofit impact in Utah please see our 2024 Annual Report.
We maintain the privacy of our members and do not share the contact information of staff or board members.
General Policies and Community Support
The mission of UNA is to elevate, strengthen, and unify Utah’s nonprofit sector. We neither have the charter, resources, nor legal position to monitor or enforce any financial, legal, discriminatory, or other issues involving our members or other organizations.
We provide the following information as a resource and not as professional advice. We encourage you to seek professional legal expertise if you find you need more assistance.
As a first step, we suggest reaching out to the nonprofit’s Board Chair and/or Board of Directors to discuss the matter of concern. If the board is not able to resolve the issue, there are additional steps you can take. Consumers can file a complaint with the Utah Division of Consumer Protection if they have a concern about a charity. The Division investigates complaints and can work with organizations to comply with the law or take administrative action to enforce it if it becomes necessary to do so. You can also file a complaint with the IRS if you're concerned about an exempt organization's compliance with the Internal Revenue Code.
Learn about the ways you can connect with the Utah nonprofits community through Business Affiliate Membership.
You can post items for donation on UNA’s Slack Channel. Or, contact us and we can help guide it to an appropriate recipient.
Learn more here. Don’t hesitate to request a quote from one of our brokers.
Whether you're a nonprofit professional, a passionate volunteer, business affiliate, or simply looking for insights into the nonprofit realm, we hope that the information provided here has provided the information you need for your nonprofit aspirations.
UNA is dedicated to supporting and strengthening the nonprofit sector in Utah, and we encourage you to delve further into our wide range of resources, training opportunities, and membership benefits. Together, we can continue to cultivate a vibrant and resilient nonprofit network that makes a difference in the lives of Utahns.
Your involvement is instrumental in driving positive change, and we look forward to accompanying you on your nonprofit journey.
Alert: UNA does not sell our membership or contact list. Any attempt to sell such a list is a scam.
Don’t see your question answered here? Contact us.