You only really need a non-profit if you're going to accept donations and you want the donations to be tax deductible. It's almost certainly going to be a 501(

You only really need a non-profit if you're going to accept donations and you want the donations to be tax deductible. It's almost certainly going to be a 501(c)(3) organization, like most non-profits. Managing a 501(c)(3) involves as much administrivia as managing a regular corporation - it's not for those afraid of paperwork. There's also some non-trivial fees for registration. A concept called 'fiscal sponsorship' exists, where an existing non-profit can fold you under its wing and pass through donations - that might be the route to go at first until you're sure it's worth getting your own 501(c)(3) status.