Everything your business needs to operate legally, qualify for grants, and attract investors — organized by phase.
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⚠️ Urgent: BOI Report Required
All LLCs and Corporations formed after January 1, 2024 must file a Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) report with FinCEN. The penalty is $500 per day for non-compliance. Filing is free and takes 15 minutes. File now →
Choose your entity type
LLC, Corporation, or Nonprofit (501c3)
Appoint a Registered Agent
Required for all LLCs and Corporations
File with Secretary of State
Articles of Organization (LLC) or Articles of Incorporation (Corp/Nonprofit)
Complete Newspaper Publication
UrgentNY, AZ, NE onlyRequired in New York, Arizona, and Nebraska
Draft an Operating Agreement / Bylaws
Internal governance document
Obtain your EIN (Employer Identification Number)
FreeFree — IRS online application takes 15 minutes
Register on SAM.gov
FreeRequired for all federal grants and contracts
File your BOI Report with FinCEN
UrgentFreeRequired for all LLCs and Corporations formed after January 1, 2024
Apply for 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Status
Nonprofits only — IRS Form 1023 or 1023-EZ
Obtain a Business License
City, county, and/or state operating license
File a DBA / Fictitious Business Name
If operating under a name different from your legal entity name
File Annual / Biennial Reports
UrgentRequired by most states to keep your entity in good standing
Obtain Required Professional Licenses
Industry-specific licenses (medical, legal, contractor, childcare, etc.)
Open a Business Bank Account
FreeSeparate from personal finances
Obtain Business Insurance
General liability insurance — required by most grant funders
Set Up Payroll
Required if you have employees
Set Up a Professional Business Email
Not Gmail or Yahoo — use your domain
Build a Business Website
Even a simple one-page site
Create a Google Business Profile
FreeFree — improves credibility and local search visibility
Create a Candid / GuideStar Profile
FreeNonprofits only — required or preferred by most foundation funders
Trademark Your Business Name / Brand
USPTO trademark registration
Get a Professionally Written Grant Application
Increase your approval odds significantly
Have a Professional Business Plan
Required for SBA loans, investors, and many grants
Register on Grants.gov
FreeRequired for all federal grant applications