CHARITABLE FUNDRAISING: 
TEMPLATES AND SAMPLES

MINNESOTA COMMON GRANT APPLICATION FORM

The Minnesota Common Grant Application Form is designed to help make the grantseeking process simpler and more efficient for nonprofits. The form can help reduce the amount of time grantseekers must spend rearranging basic information from one proposal to the next to fit grantmakers’ varying application requirements.

The Minnesota Council on Foundations introduced the Common Grant Application Form in 1996 and revised it in December 2000. The form was developed based on input from MCF members and representatives from the state’s nonprofit community.

LANGUAGE REQUIRED IN ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION TO OBTAIN TAX-EXEMPT STATUS

If your organization is planning on applying for tax-exempt status with the IRS, you will need to use the suggested language highlighted in bold below under Article III — Purpose. Note: Sample articles provided by the Minnesota Secretary of State’s Office do not include the statement required by the IRS for approval of tax exemptions.

ARTICLE III — PURPOSE

This corporation is organized exclusively for charitable, religious, educational, and scientific purposes as specified in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, including for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

The purpose of this corporation is:

• to support and conduct non-partisan research, education, and informational activities to increase public awareness of juvenile delinquency;
• to combat crime within neighborhoods; and
• to prevent community deterioration.

Donor's Bill of Rights

GuideStar Donor's Bill of Rights
www.guidestar.org/

Unified Registration Statement

Principles and Practices for Nonprofit Excellence

Principles and Practices for Nonprofit Excellence are based on the fundamental values of quality, responsibility and accountability. The ten characteristic accountability principles distinguish the nonprofit sector from government and business. The 133 management practices provide specific guidelines for individual organizations to evaluate and improve their management.

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