One page, three phases — everything a new charity gathers and does on the way to a free website, domain, and email (in that order). Print it (this page is print-formatted) or work through it on screen; each item links to the guide that explains it.

Before you apply

• EIN and IRS determination letter located (pre-501c3: formation documents). Confirm your 990 filings are current.
• Three .org name ideas, in order of preference. Domain guide
• Board aware and one person named as FFC point of contact.
• Details of any existing domain, website, or email accounts written down.

During onboarding

Your website is built and validated first, live on its free GitHub Pages address — your domain is purchased only after your site is proven, and charity email comes after that. That order exists because the nonprofit email programs (Microsoft 365 / Google Workspace) expect your organization to have an established web presence.

• Application submitted via Help for Charities and approved. What happens next
• Website application submitted (requires your approved onboarding); logo, photos, mission text, and program descriptions sent for the site build.
• Site draft reviewed and validated live on its GitHub Pages address — this unlocks the domain purchase.
• Domain registered (or transferred) by FFC and pointed at your validated site. Domain guide
• Microsoft for Nonprofits or Google Workspace registration started (after the site is live). M365 email guide
• DNS verification codes sent to FFC when Microsoft or Google displays them.
• MFA turned on for every new mailbox. Security guide

After launch

• Candid profile claimed and seal earned; live seal embed added to your site. GuideStar guide
• Google for Nonprofits + Ad Grants claimed. Guide
• Fee-free donation form live. Zeffy guide
• Shared passwords in a password manager; leaver process agreed.
• Annual 990 deadline on the organization’s calendar.

Free For Charity · freeforcharity.org · EIN 46-2471893 — questions? freeforcharity.org/contact-us