Shannon Kneeland
Nonprofit Launch Lab
Four (4) Months
August 5 – December 5, 2026
Engagement Phases
1
of 5
Phase One
Legal Formation & Federal Compliance
Active
May – September 2026
Deliverables
- ✓Client intake form completed and reviewed (May 14, 2026)
- ✓Texas SOS name availability search conducted — naming conflict identified and resolved
- ✓Organization name confirmed — Youth Pathways to Purpose registered at Texas Secretary of State
- ✓NPLL Engagement Agreement executed — retainer received August 5, 2026
- ✓Texas Certificate of Formation filed — State Filing #806679504 (July 1, 2026)
- →Kickoff call scheduled — outreach sent August 17, 2026
- →Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) secured from the IRS
- ○Texas Comptroller Form AP-204 (Franchise Tax Exemption) filed
- →IRS Form 1023-EZ prepared and submitted (Full 1023 as fallback)
- ○Business bank account guidance and financial controls setup
2
of 5
Phase Two
Governance Infrastructure
Active
August – October 2026
Deliverables
- →Bylaws (Version 1) drafted and delivered for founder review
- ○Bylaws review with founder — confirm mission language and nonprofit independence framing
- ○Conflict of Interest Policy drafted (standalone document)
- ○Record Retention Policy drafted
- ○First Board meeting agenda, adoption script, and meeting minutes template
- ○Board Expectations Document delivered
- ○Board roles, responsibilities, and commitment letter
- ○Board Gap Analysis — review for independence and governance balance
3
of 5
Phase Three
Digital & Operational Infrastructure
Upcoming
September – October 2026
Deliverables
- →Domain registered and organizational email established (independent from Dynamic Education Learning Center)
- ○Goodstack verification (unlocks Google Workspace for Nonprofits + Canva for Nonprofits)
- ○Candid (GuideStar) nonprofit profile created and populated
- ○TechSoup registration completed
- ○Cloud-based file structure established (bylaws, minutes, policies, financials)
- ○Donor acknowledgment letter template (IRS-compliant) prepared
- ○Document and records storage architecture documented
4
of 5
Phase Four
Program Architecture
Upcoming
September – November 2026
Deliverables
- ○Program Builder Worksheet completion
- ○P.E.A.C.E Youth Conflict Resolution Training — structured program document with activities, target population, outcomes, and impact indicators
- ○Youth Mental Health & Wellness — structured program document with activities, target population, outcomes, and impact indicators
- ○PREP (College & Career Preparation) — program development and structure finalized (currently in development)
- ○Program-to-mission alignment review across all three service areas
- ○Independence documentation — confirm program delivery is attributable to the nonprofit, not Dynamic Education Learning Center
5
of 5
Phase Five
Funding Readiness & Strategic Positioning
Upcoming
October – December 2026
Deliverables
- ○Grant Builder Database matched to youth development, conflict resolution, mental health, and college/career preparation focus areas
- ○Sample operating and programmatic budgets prepared
- ○Funder-facing organizational narrative drafted
- ○Year-round donor stewardship framework established
- ○Engagement wrap-up session and handoff documentation
Advisory Flags & Notes
Organization Name — Naming Conflict (Resolved)
The originally proposed name "Pathways to Purpose" was found to be in use in the Texas Secretary of State database, as was "Pathways to Purpose Foundation." Texas requires a distinguishable name before a filing is accepted. Resolved in May 2026 by registering as Youth Pathways to Purpose — Certificate of Formation issued July 1, 2026 under State Filing #806679504.
Resolved — May 2026
Nonprofit Arm — Independence & Separation
The organization is being formed as a nonprofit arm of Dynamic Education Learning Center. Clear legal, financial, and operational separation must be established between the two entities. All confirmed directors appear affiliated with the same parent organization — board independence review is required and must be reflected in governance documents and the IRS application.
Critical — Active Through Phases 1 & 2
Board Officer Titles — Election Required
Director titles submitted in intake (Director of Community Development, Director of Youth Outreach, Director of Education Planning) are functional staff titles, not nonprofit governance officer titles. Bylaws will establish President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer roles. Formal officer elections occur at the first board meeting per the adoption process.
Caution — Address in Phase 2
Texas Franchise Tax Exemption (AP-204)
Filing Form AP-204 with the Texas Comptroller is required to secure the state franchise tax exemption. This is the single most common compliance failure for new Texas nonprofits — forfeiture comes from missing this filing, not from owing taxes. Built deliberately into Phase 1.
Caution — Address in Phase 1
Mailing Address — Residential
The intake mailing address (2719 Golden Creek Lane, Arlington) is residential. A non-residential mailing address must be secured before the organization appears in public registries (Candid, Goodstack, IRS BMF) and before public-facing operations begin. Bylaws will be drafted to avoid amendment when the address transitions.
Caution — Address in Phase 3
Active Programs — Documentation Needed
P.E.A.C.E Youth Conflict Resolution Training and Youth Mental Health & Wellness are listed as currently active, and PREP is in development. This existing program activity is a strong foundation. Phase 4 will structure all three into formal program documents with defined activities, target populations, outcomes, and measurable impact indicators — essential for the IRS application and grant readiness.
Info — Asset to Build On
Board of Directors
SK
Shannon Kneeland
Founder · President (Anticipated)
Officer titles to be formally elected at first Board meeting
BW
Broderick Williams
Director · Officer Title TBD
Director of Community Development — DELC
HM
Hidayah Muhammad
Director · Officer Title TBD
Director of Youth Outreach — DELC
EP
Eva Powell
Director · Officer Title TBD
Director of Education Planning — DELC
+
Board Seat — To Be Assessed
Board Gap Analysis will determine whether an independent director outside DELC should be added to strengthen governance positioning and support the IRS application.