Step 4: Getting Our EIN (Like a Nonprofit’s Social Security Number!)

Let’s talk about another big step in starting my nonprofit: getting our EIN!

First of all—what even is an EIN?


When I first heard it, I joked that it must mean “Extra Important Number”… because it sounded important, and, honestly, it kind of is! But it actually stands for Employer Identification Number.

We had to apply for one through the IRS, which made me feel like a real adult (even though I still don’t like Brussels sprouts and I forget to charge my tablet sometimes).

An EIN is basically like a social security number for a nonprofit or business. It helps the government know we exist, and it’s what we need to:

Open a bank account for Empower Her Care Kits


Accept donations (legally!)


File taxes (ugh, grown-up stuff!) 


Keep everything organized and official

We applied online through the IRS website. I was ready to wait a long time—because paperwork usually takes forever—but surprise… we got our EIN the same day!

That moment was huge. With our EIN in hand, we could finally start setting up things like a real bank account and applying for grants and donations. It made everything feel more official—like, Empower Her Care Kits was no longer just something I worked on after school. It was becoming a real organization with its own identity.

Even though EIN doesn’t actually mean “Extra Important Number,” it kind of does in my book. Because now we can grow, give, and help more people in Washington and beyond.

So yeah—Step 4: Check!


Ava