Are you forming a nonprofit but don’t want to go it alone? Nonprofits can have some tricky compliance requirements that make the DIY route a hassle. On the other hand, there are so many companies providing online nonprofit formation services that it’s hard to tell who has the best offer.
To complement your own research, we invested countless hours into finding the best nonprofit formation services available. Our goal is to provide you with the info you need to make a smart decision for your company.
In this Bizee (formerly Incfile) nonprofit review, we’ll walk through the pros and cons, pricing, features, customer feedback, and much more. Let’s find out if they’re the right choice for your organization!
Pros & Cons of Bizee’s Nonprofit Service
Pros
- Bizee’s base rate for nonprofit formation service is just $49, which is definitely on the low end compared to the vast majority of their competitors. Most of the competition charges $99 or more, so this is a big savings.
- If you’re looking for great customer feedback, look no further. Bizee has thousands of online reviews with overwhelmingly positive trends.
- All of their nonprofit formation services come packaged with a full year of registered agent service, which is a great addition seeing as most companies opt for registered agent services anyway.
- They protect their website with a combination of Authorize.net which combats fraud, and Norton Web Security which scans for malware and encrypts data transmissions.
- Bizee has served 150,000+ businesses since 2004, giving them impressive longevity and volume.
Cons
- Their Platinum package includes features that feel somewhat frivolous. The upgrades compared to the Gold package include a free business website instead of 80% off of one, but the website package is through a third-party affiliate called Snapweb that we’re not familiar with (and they have no online customer reviews).
Bizee Nonprofit Alternative
Northwest offers comprehensive features — including a free year of registered agent services — and unmatched privacy protection for just $29 plus state filing fees.
Start NowBizee Nonprofit Pricing & Features
Bizee has three packages for nonprofit formation ranging from $0 to $299: Silver, Gold, and Platinum.
Silver = $0 + State Fee
What It Includes: This package includes the basics of formation, like a name availability check, and the preparation and filing of your articles of incorporation. In addition, you receive a full year of registered agent service to receive and forward important documents, a business tax consultation, and company alerts for annual reports and business licensing.
Finally, they include a couple perks for banking, including a statement and resignation of the incorporator which can help get a bank account, as well as the optional setup of a basic business bank account with Bank of America.
Who It’s Right For: The inclusion of a full year of registered agent makes Silver a well-rounded package for any entrepreneur looking to start a nonprofit. This feature is not included in many other nonprofit incorporation services, and it’s rather impressive that you can get it in a $49 package.
Gold = $199 + State Fee
What It Includes: Everything from the Silver package, along with a federal tax ID number (EIN) that allows you to hire employees and file business taxes, sample forms including bylaws and minutes, a banking resolution, a custom nonprofit kit to organize your important company documents, and express shipping for your completed documents.
Who It’s Right For: Adding an EIN is valuable and necessary for most businesses, but you can pretty easily get one yourself for free from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). We’re not exactly sold on the Gold package being a strong value compared to Silver, but it’s not a bad value either, if these are features you would want to add on anyway.
Platinum = $299 + State Fee
What It Includes: Everything in the Gold package, plus a contract library with 25+ sample legal documents, and a business website package from snapweb.com. You also receive an upscale version of the nonprofit kit, and expedited filing with your state of formation.
Who It’s Right For: Again, while some of these features likely have some value to you depending on your priorities, we still think Silver is the best value.
Recommended Package
Silver is the right package for the majority of nonprofits, in our opinion. Still, both Gold and Platinum have collections of features that will appeal to a certain segment of entrepreneurs.
Bizee Nonprofit Reviews
Bizee boasts a 4.7-star rating out of five stars on Trustpilot with more than 19,000 customer reviews on the website. Many satisfied customers reported superior customer service as well as affordable formation packages. Negative reviews cited a lack of communication from the company as well as a lack of valuable features. However, the company responded to 97% of negative reviews in less than a week, on average, to offer additional support and troubleshoot issues with customers.
Here are some verified reviews from Trustpilot by people who used Bizee to form their nonprofits:
“My experience with [Bizee] has been nothing short of awesome. Very professional and quick. It has taken the burden off of me in forming and running a nonprofit corporation.”
“I was promised a nonprofit tax consultation but was called about business taxes only. The appointment was rescheduled today for nonprofit taxes. Email and text reminders were sent. The consultant did not call, or email. I am unable to reschedule the appointment. Very disappointing.”
“[Bizee] made starting a nonprofit so easy. The process was faster than I expected. Great customer service throughout the process.”
“Extremely fast, affordable service to start my nonprofit. I filed my paperwork with [Bizee] late one evening and by the next afternoon it was already on its way to the state for approval.”
Alternatives to Bizee’s Nonprofit Service
While Bizee offers comprehensive nonprofit formation services, it’s worth exploring other options to ensure you choose the best fit for your organization’s needs. Below, you’ll find some notable alternatives.
Northwest Registered Agent
Northwest Registered Agent is known for its personalized customer service and transparent pricing without the upselling attempts made by some competitors. The company offers a comprehensive nonprofit formation package for $29 plus state fees that includes state filing, free registered agent service for one year, and ongoing compliance support.
Northwest’s service stands out for its privacy protection features and the assignment of a dedicated account representative to each client. While this company’s pricing may be slightly higher than some competitors, many users find the level of support and expertise justifies the cost.
LegalZoom
LegalZoom is a reputable name in online legal services, including nonprofit formation. The company offers a user-friendly platform and a wide range of additional legal services that may benefit your organization as it grows.
LegalZoom’s nonprofit packages come with a 100% satisfaction guarantee and access to attorney consultations. The company offers a free formation package for nonprofits as well as other business types, but founders may want to upgrade their package to access more comprehensive features.
Swyft Filings
Swyft Filings prides itself on speed and efficiency in nonprofit formation. The company offers a straightforward process and competitive pricing, making it an attractive option for those who want to get their nonprofit up and running quickly.
Swyft Filings’ packages include lifetime customer support as well as additional features, depending on the plan chosen. While the company may not offer as many bells and whistles as some competitors in its free formation package, its streamlined approach can appeal to those who prefer simplicity.
Instant Nonprofit
Instant Nonprofit specializes exclusively in nonprofit formation and compliance services. This focus allows the company to offer tailored guidance and support specific to the nonprofit sector.
Instant Nonprofit provides a range of educational resources and ongoing compliance tools as part of its packages. While this provider’s services may be more expensive than some general business formation companies, its specialized nonprofit expertise can be valuable for organizations navigating complex IRS requirements.
Is Bizee Right For Your Nonprofit?
Bizee offers a robust set of features for nonprofit formation, but it’s essential to consider your specific needs and circumstances.
It’s particularly well-suited for:
- New founders who appreciate step-by-step guidance and comprehensive support
- Organizations looking for an all-in-one solution that includes ongoing compliance tools
- Nonprofits that want access to additional business services as they grow
However, it may not be the best fit if:
- You’re on a very tight budget and prioritize the lowest possible cost over additional features
- You prefer working with a company that exclusively specializes in nonprofits
The bottom line? Bizee provides a solid, user-friendly platform for nonprofit formation with a good balance of features and support. Its pricing is competitive for the services offered, making it a strong contender for many new nonprofits. However, it’s always wise to compare a few options and consider factors like pricing, included features, and customer support to ensure you choose the service that best aligns with your organization’s unique needs and goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I File a Nonprofit Independently?
You have that option, but because of the tricky compliance requirements that sometimes accompany nonprofits, it can be a pretty big hassle. Providers like Bizee can handle that stuff for you, giving you more time to actually operate your company. If you are interested in the DIY option, make sure to peruse our extensive how-to guide.
What’s Their Refund Policy?
Bizee’s policy is somewhat more restrictive than the 100% satisfaction guarantees that some competitors offer. They will refund any order less a $30 fee for any order cancelled before payment is forwarded to the state, which is usually within 24 hours, but they don’t offer refunds beyond that.
How Secure Is Bizee?
With both Authorize.net and Norton Web Security protecting their website, I’d say you’re as safe or more so on their site than any competitor’s.
Do They Offer Ongoing Support?
Absolutely. In fact, many of their reviews specifically compliment the good support Bizee customers receive long after placing their orders.