DIY Founder: Establish — Paperwork

So, you want to start a nonprofit? Amazing. The passion is there, the vision is clear (or at least somewhat clear), and you’re ready to take that first step into the world of impact-driven work. But before you start collecting donations, hosting events, or making waves in your community, you need a strong foundation. And that starts with establishment.

I won’t sugarcoat it—this part is not the most exciting. There’s paperwork, strategic thinking, and a bit of legalese involved. But trust me, setting things up properly now will save you a world of headaches later. Here’s what you need to focus on:

Mission & vision: your North Star.

Your mission and vision statements are the heart and soul of your nonprofit. They guide your decisions, keep you focused, and communicate to the world what you’re all about.

Mission: the “what” and “how”

Your mission is the core reason your nonprofit exists. It defines what problem you’re solving and how you plan to solve it. An effective mission statement should be:

• Short and focused (think one or two sentences max)

• Clear and easily understood

• Inspiring and motivating

• Actionable

• Aligned with your long-term vision

Example: If your nonprofit focuses on mental health awareness, your mission might be: "To provide accessible mental health resources and advocacy for underrepresented communities through education, outreach, and support networks."

Vision: the “why” and the future you see

Your vision statement is the big picture. It describes the world you want to see because of your work. Where your mission is about what you do, your vision is about why you do it.

Example: "A world where every individual has equal access to mental health support and stigma-free conversations."

Pro Tip: Your vision should be ambitious but attainable. Think of it as the dream your organization is constantly working towards.

Naming your nonprofit: more than just a name.

Your nonprofit’s name is its identity. It’s the first thing people hear, see, and remember. You want something timeless, meaningful, and easy to pronounce.

Ask yourself:

• What’s the story behind your nonprofit?

• Does the name reflect your mission and values?

• Is it easy to spell and remember?

• Can you see yourself saying it 10 years from now?

Claim your name:

Before you get too attached, make sure it’s available! Here’s how:

1. Perform a Name Search – Use NUANS (Canada) or your country’s business registry.

2. Check Domain Availability – Websites like GoDaddy or Namecheap will tell you if your nonprofit’s name is available as a URL.

3. Google It – A quick search will help you avoid legal trouble down the line.

4. Secure Social Media Handles – You’ll want your name to be consistent across platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

Here’s the scan of my original NUANS Request Form from 2018.
I sent a scan to my friend’s mom who was a paralegal at the time, and she essentially sourced and submitted the form for me because I literally had no idea what I was doing… LOL.

Register your nonprofit.

Now that your name is locked in, it’s time to make it official.

Incorporation

You can incorporate your nonprofit at either the provincial or federal level. Federal incorporation gives you more legitimacy and access to larger funding pools, but both options work. Incorporation provides:

• A business number

• Legal recognition

• Limited liability for directors

Let me tell you a fun little founder fail (that wasn’t so fun at the time 😅)...

When I first registered NotJustYou, I proudly held up this Alberta license/ registration certificate like it was a golden ticket. I really thought I did something. Turns out... I did something, alright—but not exactly what I thought.

A few years later, I found out that this certificate? Practically useless.
Why? Great question. To this day, the full answer is still a bit of a mystery.

What I have learned is that provincial registration is a maze, and the system? Messy. Different departments doing almost the same thing. Outdated processes.
Misinformation from well-meaning staff. No real way to know if you’re actually registered for what you think you are.

Moral of the story?
- Don’t assume your paperwork is still doing what it’s supposed to do.
- Set a yearly reminder to check your registrations—yes, even if you think you’re “good.”
- And keep receipts... all the receipts.

CRA charity registration (Canada)

Not all nonprofits are charities. If you want to issue tax receipts for donations, you’ll need to register as a charity under the Income Tax Act. However, many nonprofits operate successfully without charity status by relying on grants, sponsorships, and fundraising.

Having charitable status comes with a lot of responsibility and accountability. You’ll be required to submit annual filings, meet specific spending requirements, and ensure that all funds are used strictly for charitable purposes. When you’re in the building stage, it’s often best to focus on capacity building before taking on the administrative burdens of charitable status.

Programming: what will you actually do?

Now that your nonprofit has a name, a mission, and registration is underway, let’s talk about action.

What programs will you run?

Use your mission and vision to determine what type of programming makes sense. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, but here are some types to consider:

1. High Impact + High Cost – Large-scale conferences, scholarships, major initiatives.

2. High Impact + Medium Cost – Community workshops, mentorship programs, advocacy campaigns.

3. High Impact + Low Cost – Webinars, social media campaigns, peer support groups.

Choose programs that align with your resources, funding, and community needs.

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Getting your nonprofit off the ground starts with the not-so-glamorous stuff: paperwork, registrations, and crafting a solid mission and vision. It may not feel exciting now, but these foundational steps are what protect your organization and prepare you for the road ahead. Establishing your nonprofit properly ensures that when the time comes to grow, you won’t be scrambling to fix what was rushed or overlooked.

Now that you’ve laid the legal and strategic foundation, it’s time to make things look as good as they are behind the scenes. Head over to Part 2: Establish – Tangibles, where we’ll dive into branding, online presence, and the visual identity that makes your nonprofit not just real—but memorable.

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