Development output

0 to 60 day founder checklist

A practical launch sequence for formation, board setup, safety, partner outreach, and first funding.

Working draftUpdated May 5, 2026Founder/advisor review required

Use this as an operating checklist, not legal advice

North Carolina formation, IRS exemption, charitable solicitation, food service, insurance, and youth employment questions should be reviewed with qualified advisors. The founder still makes the calls.

Days 1 to 14: lock the foundation

  1. Choose the final name and check North Carolina nonprofit name availability.
  2. Decide whether to reserve the name or file formation documents directly.
  3. Write the simplest version of the mission, vision, and initial program scope. Keep it narrow enough for a first pilot.
  4. Identify the registered agent and principal office address. Avoid using a personal home address if a safer option is available.
  5. Draft North Carolina Articles of Incorporation with the required nonprofit language and IRS 501(c)(3) organizational language.
  6. List the first board candidates and the gaps they cover: governance, finance, youth safety, veteran support, fundraising, food operations, legal, and community relationships.
  7. Create a private folder for governance records, board documents, draft budgets, and founder decisions.

Days 15 to 30: form the corporation and prepare governance

  1. File North Carolina nonprofit Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State.
  2. After formation, apply for an EIN.
  3. Draft bylaws that are simple enough for the first board to follow.
  4. Draft a conflict-of-interest policy, whistleblower policy, and document retention policy.
  5. Prepare initial board consent or first board meeting agenda.
  6. Draft board role descriptions and expectations.
  7. Build a first-year budget with conservative numbers: insurance, background checks, instructor stipends, rent or space use, printing, gear, refreshments, transportation, website, software, and professional review.

Days 31 to 45: fundraising and public presence

  1. Open a basic domain, email, and one-page web presence.
  2. Write the founding donor story and a short partner brief.
  3. Prepare a founding donor list: people who know the founder, local business owners, veteran-connected donors, fitness and food contacts, and civic leaders.
  4. Check whether charitable solicitation registration is needed before public fundraising in North Carolina.
  5. Complete the IRS Form 1023-EZ eligibility worksheet. If Interstice does not qualify, plan for the full Form 1023.
  6. Explore whether a fiscal sponsor makes sense while exemption is pending.
  7. Create clean donation language. Do not promise tax deductibility unless the structure supports it.

Days 46 to 60: pilot readiness

  1. Pick one pilot population and one referral channel. Do not try to serve everyone at once.
  2. Draft the six to eight week pilot schedule.
  3. Write youth safety policies: screening, supervision, transportation, one-on-one contact, bathroom/changing areas, incident reporting, mandated reporting, media consent, and data privacy.
  4. Talk to an insurance broker about martial arts instruction, youth programming, volunteers, transportation, events, and food education.
  5. Screen and onboard the first mentors and instructors.
  6. Create intake, consent, emergency contact, health, media, incident, attendance, and feedback forms.
  7. Meet with two to five possible partners: a gym, school or youth organization, veteran group, food partner, and mental health or trauma-informed advisor.

Source checkpoints