Startchurch
StartCHURCH is a privately held US firm that bundles legal formation, 501(c)(3) filing, ordination, cloud-based compliance software, bookkeeping, and clergy tax services to help pastors and ministry leaders start and operate churches and nonprofit religious organizations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2006
- HeadquartersLawrenceville, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Startchurch does
StartCHURCH (legal entity StartCHURCH Georgia, Inc.) is a Lawrenceville, Georgia-based service and software provider that helps individuals launch and operate churches, ministries, and nonprofit religious organizations in the United States. Its flagship offering is the StartRIGHT Service, a bundled engagement that delivers incorporation, bylaws, FEIN acquisition, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt application, ordination, and ongoing compliance support, with a stated 100% IRS approval rate backed by a money-back guarantee. Complementary professional services include a ministry-focused bookkeeping practice, clergy-specific tax preparation, and a-la-carte tax-benefit setup such as Housing Allowance, Self-Employment Tax Exemption, and Compensation Agreement structuring.
The company distributes a parallel cloud software stack branded StartCHURCH Cloud, comprising more than a dozen purpose-built suites — Minister's, Compensation, Documents, Secretary's, Tax, Capital, Exemption, Launch, Minutes, Compliance, Policies, Called to Care, StartSITES (website builder), and Giving Halo (Stripe-integrated online giving platform) — sold primarily as 12-month auto-renewing subscriptions, with Giving Halo at $15/month. A separate education line includes video courses (Launch to Lead, Equipped to Ordain, Leading Through Crisis, Financially Healthy Church) and StartCHURCH University certification.
Commercially, StartCHURCH operates an inside-sales-led go-to-market anchored by scheduled consultation calls and a dedicated phone line (770-638-3444), supplemented by an annual Ultimate Church Structure Conference, content marketing (blog, Beyond the Call podcast), and a referral network of 16+ church-planting organizations including ARC, Foursquare, Vineyard USA, NAHPA, NAMB, ARMI, and The River Network. The firm is privately held, has not raised institutional capital, employs 101–250 people, and reports having assisted over 19,000 churches and ministries since inception. Trademarks for the StartCHURCH brand family are owned by Four Winds Technologies, Inc. and licensed to the operating entity.
Startchurch firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Startchurch
- Legal name
- StartCHURCH Georgia, Inc.
- Website
- https://startchurch.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2006
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- StartCHURCH is a privately held US firm that bundles legal formation, 501(c)(3) filing, ordination, cloud-based compliance software, bookkeeping, and clergy tax services to help pastors and ministry leaders start and operate churches and nonprofit religious organizations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Startchurch industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Church and Ministry Legal & Tax Compliance Services
- NAICS
- Religious Organizations (8131), Religious Organizations (81311)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Faith-Based Missions & Evangelism Organizations (Domestic & International) (BPAGAJAE)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Local Congregations & Worship Communities (Churches, Mosques, Temples, Synagogues) (BPAGAJAA)
Keywords
Where Startchurch is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Lawrenceville
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Startchurch business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- StartRIGHT Service (501c3 Filing): The flagship bundled service package that guides churches and ministries through the complete 501(c)(3) application process including incorporation, bylaws, FEIN, policies, tax-exempt status, and ordination. Includes free clerical services and a money-back guarantee if not approved. Pricing varies by state-specific regulations and additional services required.
- Software Subscriptions (Cloud Suites): Cloud-based software suites (Minister's Suite, Compensation Suite, Documents Suite, Secretary's Suite, Tax Suite, Capital Suite, Exemption Suite, Launch Suite, Minutes Suite, Compliance Suite, Policies Suite, Called to Care Suite, StartSITES) delivered via subscription with 12-month auto-renewing terms. Monthly pricing such as $15/mo for Giving Halo.
- Bookkeeping Service: Ongoing ministry-focused bookkeeping service providing churches with a personal bookkeeper, 24/7 access, full data control, and secure storage. Revenue model based on recurring service fees.
- Tax Preparation Services: CPA-prepared tax returns tailored for ministers, covering housing allowance, self-employment tax exemption, and other clergy-specific tax situations.
- Video Courses: One-time purchase video courses including Launch to Lead (44 videos, 11 lessons for church planters), Equipped to Ordain (ordination-focused), Leading Through Crisis, and Financially Healthy Church.
- Individual Services (A la Carte): Individual standalone services including Housing Allowance ($199), Self-Employment Tax Exemption ($399), Compensation Agreement ($449), and bundles with discounts (e.g., $249 off when purchased together). Also includes ordination credentials and corporate records kits.
- Giving Halo Online Giving Platform: Monthly subscription at $15/mo for online donation management, giving statements, reporting, and donor profiles. One-time purchase option mentioned as 'Buy Now'.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Housing Allowance standalone service |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Self-Employment Tax Exemption standalone service |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Compensation Agreement standalone service |
| Hybrid | Pay-as-you-go | Clergy Tax Bundle (Housing + SE + Compensation) |
| Subscription | Monthly | Giving Halo online giving platform |
| Subscription | Annual | Cloud Software Subscriptions |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | StartRIGHT Service (Flagship) |
| Subscription | Monthly | Bookkeeping Service |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Startchurch product offering
Product offeringCore offering
StartCHURCH provides end-to-end legal formation, tax-exempt status acquisition, and ongoing compliance services for newly planted U.S. churches and ministries. Its flagship StartRIGHT Service handles incorporation, bylaws, FEIN, 501(c)(3) application, ordination, and policy drafting within roughly 90 days, bundled with free clerical services and a 100% approval / money-back guarantee. The company complements these professional services with a proprietary cloud software platform (StartCHURCH Cloud) of 12 domain-specific suites (Minister's, Compensation, Documents, Tax, Compliance, etc.), a Giving Halo online donation platform, StartSITES website builder, ongoing ministry-focused bookkeeping, clergy tax preparation, and structured video courses.
Product overview
StartCHURCH operates as a comprehensive platform-plus-services architecture for church and ministry management. The core offering is the StartCHURCH Cloud platform, which hosts multiple software suites including Minister's Suite, Compensation Suite, Documents Suite, Secretary's Suite, Tax Suite, Capital Suite, Exemption Suite, Launch Suite, Minutes Suite, Compliance Suite, Policies Suite, StartSITES, and Called to Care Suite. The flagship product is the StartRIGHT Service, which bundles legal formation services (incorporation, bylaws, policies, ordination) with access to five cloud-based software suites (Launch Suite, Minutes Suite, Policies Suite, Tax Suite, and Exemption Suite). Supporting services include Bookkeeping Service, Housing Allowance Service, and various video courses (Launch to Lead, Equipped to Ordain, Leading Through Crisis, Financially Healthy Church). The company also offers Giving Halo, an online giving platform for donation management. Additional offerings include StartCHURCH University certification, ebooks (Connect, Church Branding), ordination credentials, and corporate records kits.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- StartRIGHT Service Comprehensive 501(c)(3) church and ministry formation service that includes incorporation, customized bylaws, policies, FEIN acquisition, tax-exempt status application, ordination, and ongoing compliance support, with churches able to complete the process in roughly 90 days. Pricing varies by state and additional services required.
- StartCHURCH Bookkeeping Service Ongoing ministry-focused outsourced bookkeeping service providing churches with a personal bookkeeper, 24/7 access, full data control, and secure storage of church financial records. Pricing is provided via custom quote after a needs assessment call.
- Housing Allowance Service Setup service that helps ordained ministers establish a clergy housing allowance to exclude qualifying home expenses from federal taxable income, potentially saving thousands annually. Available standalone for $199 or as part of the Clergy Tax Bundle.
- Self-Employment Tax Exemption Service Service that assists ordained ministers with the application process for the federal self-employment (SE) tax exemption, helping clergy avoid SE tax on their ministerial income. Available standalone for $399 or as part of the Clergy Tax Bundle.
- Compensation Agreement Service Service that drafts and implements a properly structured compensation agreement for ministers, supporting tax- and labor-law-compliant pay practices. Available standalone for $449 or as part of the Clergy Tax Bundle.
- Tax Preparation Services for Ministers CPA-prepared federal tax returns tailored specifically for ministers, covering clergy-specific items such as housing allowance designations, self-employment tax exemption, and other ministry-related tax situations.
- StartCHURCH Cloud Platform Cloud-based software platform providing multiple integrated suites for church management — including document creation, compliance tracking, tax filing, ordination support, and financial management tools — accessible online from any device via web browser, with data stored on StartCHURCH servers. Subscription-based on 12-month auto-renewing terms.
- Minister's Suite Cloud software suite providing customizable tools for daily pastoral challenges, including forms, templates, and compliance documents tailored to church operations and ministry administration.
- Compensation Suite Cloud software suite providing tools for maximizing tax benefits afforded to ministers through proper compensation structuring and minister-specific compensation planning.
- Documents Suite Cloud software suite enabling creation of simple-to-use, ministry-protection documents including forms and certificates for church operations and risk management.
- Secretary's Suite Cloud software suite providing asset protection and management tooling with inventory systems and nonprofit mailing capabilities for churches and ministries.
- Tax Suite Cloud software suite providing a financial reporting toolkit for managing church financial reports and tax preparation with ministry-specific outputs.
- Capital Suite Cloud software suite helping churches build organizational financial history and creditworthiness to access capital needed to fulfill their ministry vision.
- Exemption Suite Cloud software tool that guides users through the 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status application process for religious organizations, simplifying the IRS exemption filings workflow.
- Launch Suite Cloud software suite combining the legal requirements for church and ministry launch with easy-to-use software tools to ensure legal compliance from day one of operation.
- Minutes Suite Cloud software suite covering how to hold proper board meetings, who can serve on a board, and how to take legally compliant minutes for nonprofit and church governance.
- Compliance Suite Cloud software suite that audits nonprofit compliance, helping churches maintain scriptural convictions while staying informed of the latest laws and regulatory requirements applicable to religious organizations.
- Policies Suite Cloud software suite delivering 55 customizable church and ministry policies and procedures designed to protect the organization's ministry vision and operational integrity.
- Called to Care Suite Cloud software suite for ministry leaders seeking to establish church benevolence and member-assistance programs through structured workflows and templates.
- StartSITES Cloud-based church website builder enabling users to create a fully responsive church website with online donation capability in under one hour, purpose-built for ministry organizations.
- Giving Halo All-in-one online giving platform for churches and ministries that manages donations, creates IRS-compliant giving statements, generates key-insights dashboards, tracks donor profiles, and integrates with Stripe to automatically import contribution data. Priced at $15/month.
- Launch to Lead Video Course Self-paced video course for church planters covering the in-depth process of planting a church, built from 11 lessons across 44+ videos and including a workbook, answer sheet, and 20+ free example assets. Sold as a one-time purchase with unlimited access.
- Equipped to Ordain Video Course Self-paced video course focused on ordination, comprising five detailed lessons on creating legal and compliant ordination strategies for clergy and ministries.
- Leading Through Crisis Video Course Self-paced video course with six lessons teaching ministry leaders how to lead their organizations through uncertainty, disruption, and crisis situations.
- Financially Healthy Church Video Course Self-paced video course with six lessons equipping church leaders with the financial management knowledge required to steward church resources responsibly.
- StartCHURCH University Certification Program Structured certification program for church executives teaching legal-landscape navigation and ministry compliance knowledge in a curriculum-based, branded educational experience.
- StartCHURCH Connect eBook Digital eBook providing step-by-step instructions for getting ministries online and producing services with excellence, including tactical online-presence and engagement guidance.
- Church Branding eBook Digital eBook providing practical, step-by-step guidance for building strong, distinctive brand identities for church and ministry organizations.
- Custom-Made License (Ordination ID Card) Custom-printed credit-card-sized ordination ID credential displaying clergy name, church name, and professional status, intended as a tangible proof-of-ordination artifact for clergy.
- Ministry Corporate Records Kit Physical corporate records kit consisting of a bound notebook and custom corporate seal that churches and ministries use to maintain proper legal documentation protocols and corporate minute books.
Quantifiable outcome
- 19,000+ churches and ministries assisted since founding
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Startchurch
Customer profileNamed customers13 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Startchurch technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature9 records
Startchurch partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- ARC (Association of Related Churches)coreChurch-planting network partnership where ARC refers its church planters to StartCHURCH for 501(c)(3) filing, incorporation, and compliance services. Represents one of the largest church-planting organizations in the US.
- FoursquarecoreDenominational partnership where Foursquare refers its church planters and ministers to StartCHURCH for legal compliance and administrative services.
- Vineyard USAcoreDenominational partnership where Vineyard USA refers its church planters to StartCHURCH for StartRIGHT services and ongoing compliance support.
- NAHPA (North American Hispanic Pentecostal Association)corePartnership with NAHPA referring Hispanic church planters to StartCHURCH for Spanish-language and culturally relevant church-planting services.
- The River NetworkcoreChurch-planting network partnership directing members to StartCHURCH for legal foundation services.
- NewThingcoreChurch multiplication network partnership referring church planters to StartCHURCH services.
- The Woodlands ChurchminorChurch partnership referring plant teams to StartCHURCH for administrative and legal compliance support.
- Planters FieldminorChurch-planting resources organization partnership directing planters to StartCHURCH services.
- Portable Church IndustriesminorChurch facility and operations resources partnership co-referring church planters to StartCHURCH for a comprehensive church-planting solution.
- Multiply VineyardcoreVineyard church multiplication initiative partnership referring church planters to StartCHURCH.
- Convención Bautista HispanacoreHispanic Baptist convention partnership serving Spanish-speaking church planters with culturally relevant referrals to StartCHURCH.
- Junta de Misiones Norteamericana (NAMB)coreSouthern Baptist mission board partnership referring missionaries and church planters to StartCHURCH for legal foundation establishment.
- ARMI (Assemblies of God Responsive Ministries)corePentecostal denominational partnership referring church planters to StartCHURCH for administrative and IRS compliance services.
- CAP (Church Accelerator Partnership)minorChurch acceleration network partnership referring church planters to StartCHURCH services.
- Courageous PastorsminorMinistry leadership development organization partnership referring pastors to StartCHURCH for church structure and compliance resources.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Startchurch competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Vanco Payment Solutions: Vanco is a long-standing provider of online giving, payment, and church management solutions for faith-based organizations. It overlaps with Giving Halo and elements of StartCHURCH's cloud platform for US churches and ministries.
- SecureGive: SecureGive provides online, kiosk, and mobile giving solutions for churches and ministries. It directly competes with StartCHURCH's Giving Halo online giving product in the same US church customer segment.
- Planning Center: Planning Center offers a comprehensive suite of church management software (People, Services, Giving, Check-Ins, Groups, Registrations) used by tens of thousands of US churches. It directly overlaps with StartCHURCH's cloud software and Giving Halo offerings and serves the same church-customer persona.
- ChurchTrac: ChurchTrac offers affordable church management software (membership, giving, check-in, events) targeted at smaller US churches. It directly overlaps with StartCHURCH's cloud platform for the same small-church buyer persona.
- Subsplash: Subsplash provides a unified church engagement platform (giving, apps, media, websites, events) used by thousands of US churches. It is comparable to StartCHURCH's StartSITES website builder and Giving Halo platform in serving digital-engagement needs of churches.
- Tithe.ly: Tithe.ly is a leading online giving and church engagement platform serving thousands of US churches with donations, church apps, and management tools. It is a direct competitor to StartCHURCH's Giving Halo online giving product and to elements of the StartCHURCH Cloud platform.
- Church Community Builder: Church Community Builder (owned by Pushpay/Resi) provides church management software including people, groups, giving, and check-in for US churches. It directly competes with StartCHURCH's management suites for the same church-segment buyers.
- Breeze ChMS: Breeze is a cloud-based church management system used by tens of thousands of small and mid-sized churches for people, giving, events, and communications. It competes with StartCHURCH's cloud platform for the same small-to-mid church customer base.
Broad incumbents
- Pushpay: Pushpay (now part of Resi Media) provides church engagement, giving, and streaming software to mid-to-large US churches. It overlaps with Giving Halo on online giving and with StartCHURCH Cloud on broader engagement and management functionality.
- ACS Technologies: ACS Technologies is a long-established provider of church management, payroll, and giving software with a broader portfolio targeting US churches and faith-based organizations. It overlaps with StartCHURCH's cloud suites and Giving Halo offerings as a broad incumbent.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Startchurch social profiles
Digital presenceStartchurch financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Startchurch leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Startchurch funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Startchurch M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Startchurch
What does Startchurch do?
StartCHURCH provides end-to-end legal formation, tax-exempt status acquisition, and ongoing compliance services for newly planted U.S. churches and ministries. Its flagship StartRIGHT Service handles incorporation, bylaws, FEIN, 501(c)(3) application, ordination, and policy drafting within roughly 90 days, bundled with free clerical services and a 100% approval / money-back guarantee. The company complements these professional services with a proprietary cloud software platform (StartCHURCH Cloud) of 12 domain-specific suites (Minister's, Compensation, Documents, Tax, Compliance, etc.), a Giving Halo online donation platform, StartSITES website builder, ongoing ministry-focused bookkeeping, clergy tax preparation, and structured video courses.
Is Startchurch a public or private company?
Startchurch is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Startchurch founded?
Startchurch was founded in 2006. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Startchurch based?
Startchurch is headquartered in Lawrenceville, United States, in the North America region.
How does Startchurch make money?
Seven revenue lines are on record. StartRIGHT Service (501c3 Filing) is the primary driver. The others are software Subscriptions (Cloud Suites), bookkeeping Service, tax Preparation Services, video Courses, individual Services (A la Carte) and giving Halo Online Giving Platform.
Who are Startchurch's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Vanco Payment Solutions, SecureGive, Planning Center, ChurchTrac, Subsplash, Tithe.ly, Church Community Builder and Breeze ChMS. Broad incumbents are Pushpay and ACS Technologies.
Does Startchurch have an API?
No public API is recorded for Startchurch.
What industry is Startchurch in?
Startchurch's product category is Church and Ministry Legal & Tax Compliance Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAJAE, Faith-Based Missions & Evangelism Organizations (Domestic & International), with a secondary code of BPAGAJAA, Local Congregations & Worship Communities (Churches, Mosques, Temples, Synagogues). Its NAICS code is 8131 and its SIC code is 8600.