Organizations that meet the requirements of Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3) are exempt from federal income tax as charitable organizations. In addition, contributions made to charitable organizations by individuals and corporations are deductible under Code section 170. Every exempt charitable organization is classified as either a public charity or a private foundation. Generally, organizations that are classified as public charities are those that (i) are churches, hospitals, qualified medical research organizations affiliated with hospitals, schools, colleges and universities, (ii) have an active program of fundraising and receive contributions from many sources, including the general public, governmental agencies, corporations, private foundations or other public charities, (iii) receive income from the conduct of activities in furtherance of the organization's exempt purposes, or (iv) actively function in a supporting relationship to one or more existing public charities. Private foundations, in contrast, typically have a single major source of funding (usually gifts from one family or corporation rather than funding from many sources) and most have as their primary activity the making of grants to other charitable organizations and to individuals, rather than the direct operation of charitable programs. If you think your charitable organization is or will be a public charity, click Life Cycle of a Public Charity to view a chart showing the life cycle of a public charity. This chart contains links to helpful information about points of intersection between your organization and the IRS, including access to explanatory information and forms that your organization may need to file with the IRS. If you think your charitable organization is or will be a private foundation, click Life Cycle of a Private Foundation to view a chart showing the life cycle of a private foundation. This chart contains links to helpful information about points of intersection between your organization and the IRS, including access to explanatory information and forms that your organization may need to file with the IRS. Additional information Application Process Step by Step
