About Us

Professional 501(c)(3) guidance for Atlanta’s high-achieving Black families and leaders

Tax Exempt Hero makes 501(c)(3) formation and private foundation administration accessible, precise, and culturally aware for Atlanta’s Black professionals, families, and their advisors so your generosity is protected, compliant, and built to last.

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Dual-track service model

From first filing to day‑to‑day foundation operations

Over 100+ successful 501(c)(3) formations and private foundations guided
Atlanta-first expertise across Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, and surrounding counties
Built for busy professionals: clear steps, handled paperwork, proactive reminders

“You focus on impact. We’ll obsess over the IRS language, filings, and deadlines.”

Our Mission

Empowering Black generosity with compliant, confident giving vehicles

Tax Exempt Hero exists so that Atlanta’s Black professionals and families can steward wealth and impact through well-structured 501(c)(3)s and private foundations without the fear of missteps, missed details, or misunderstood IRS rules.

What we stand for

We combine technical precision with cultural context. Our work honors your story, your family, and your advisors while protecting the tax-exempt status you’re building everything on.

Every engagement is designed to be clear, proactive, and partnership-driven so your foundation or nonprofit can move quickly without sacrificing compliance.

Values that guide every filing

Precision over guesswork – every clause, schedule, and attachment is intentional.
Clarity over jargon – you always know what we’re filing, why, and what’s next.
Protection over shortcuts – structures that stand up to IRS scrutiny and advisor review.
Cultural fluency – strategies that reflect Black legacy-building in Atlanta.
Partnership – we collaborate with your CPA, estate planner, and wealth advisor.

How We Work

A dual-track service model built for both launch and longevity

Two clear paths: one to create the right tax-exempt vehicle, and one to run it with confidence year after year.

Track 1: 501(c)(3) & foundation formation

For first-time founders, families, and philanthropists who want to get it right the first time.

Entity and structure recommendations tailored to your goals
Drafting or review of organizing documents and bylaws
Preparation and filing of Form 1023 / 1023-EZ or state-level documents
Coordination with your legal and tax advisors on structure implications
Clear timeline, status updates, and next-step checklists

Track 2: Private foundation administration

For established foundations that need consistent, accurate back-office support.

Board meeting prep, minutes, and governance support
Grant documentation and eligibility tracking
Coordination for Form 990-PF and other required filings
Calendarized reminders for key IRS and state deadlines
Compliance check-ins when your giving strategy evolves

Atlanta-First Perspective

Rooted in Atlanta. Built for Black excellence.

We live and work where you do. Our team understands the unique dynamics of Atlanta’s Black professional, entrepreneurial, and philanthropic communities—and how your giving strategy fits into that story.

Experience with local banks, law firms, and advisory teams in the metro area
Comfort working across family offices, multi-generational wealth, and first-generation wealth creators
On-the-ground understanding of the causes, faith communities, and movements you care about

Atlanta skyline with professional overlay

Proven Results

Real outcomes for real families, foundations, and community leaders

100+ tax-exempt entities supported across formation and administration.
Foundations ranging from first-year givers to multi-million dollar portfolios.
0 known IRS revocations for organizations we formed and actively support.
Clients spanning physicians, attorneys, executives, business owners, and faith leaders.

“Tax Exempt Hero turned a big, intimidating idea into a step-by-step process my entire family could understand. We now have a foundation we’re proud to attach our name to.”

— Atlanta-based family foundation client

Our accuracy guarantee

Your filings should never be the weak link in your giving strategy.

We stand behind the accuracy of every document we prepare.
If the IRS or state flags an error caused by our work, we correct it at no additional service fee.
You receive organized documentation packages you and your advisors can easily reference.

We treat every foundation and nonprofit like it has our own family name on it.

Meet Our Founder

Derrick D. Billingslea

Derrick D. Billingslea built Tax Exempt Hero after watching professionals struggle between costly legal help and confusing do it yourself nonprofit setups. Coming from humble beginnings and years of hard lessons in business, he understands what happens when good intentions meet bad systems.

After decades of entrepreneurship, failure, rebuilding, and learning, Derrick uncovered one truth. Wealth, impact, and freedom only last when structure and compliance are done right. That insight became the foundation of Tax Exempt Hero.

Today, Derrick leads a specialized team of nonprofit analysts, foundation administrators, and compliance specialists. Together, they have helped launch over 100 charitable entities and oversee millions in foundation assets, with clarity and confidence guiding every build.

Outside of client work, Derrick educates advisors through live trainings, speaks at nonprofit and business events, and serves on nonprofit boards. His focus stays simple. Help people protect their wealth, build legacy the right way, and avoid the costly mistakes he learned firsthand.

Printed guidebook titled '501(c)(3) Success' on a desk with reading glasses, pen, and a cup of tea, suggesting practical resources for attorneys.

Our Team

Specialists in tax-exempt strategy, not generalists

Our team blends backgrounds in accounting, law-adjacent compliance, and nonprofit operations with lived experience in Atlanta’s Black professional community.

Lead Consultant & Founder

Specializes in navigating IRS requirements, private foundation rules, and complex family giving structures.

Nonprofit Operations Specialist

Keeps boards organized, deadlines visible, and day-to-day administration smooth for busy leaders.

Client & Advisor Success Lead

Your point of contact for timelines, coordination with advisors, and ongoing questions.

Take the Next Step

Tell us about your nonprofit or foundation vision

We’ll review your goals, where you are today, and whether formation support, foundation administration, or an advisor partnership is the best fit.

No-pressure 30-minute discovery call
Clarity on next best steps and timelines
A follow-up summary you can share with your family or advisors

Prefer to move faster? Use the form to request a direct booking link and we’ll send it right over.

Get started with Tax Exempt Hero

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Questions we’re often asked

If you don’t see your question here, include it in your discovery call request we’re happy to walk through the details.

Who is Tax Exempt Hero best suited for?

We primarily serve Atlanta-based Black professionals, business owners, families, and their advisory teams who want to form or administer 501(c)(3) organizations and private foundations with a high degree of professionalism and compliance. If you value clear explanations, proactive communication, and collaboration with your existing advisors, we’re likely a strong fit.

Do you replace our CPA or attorney?

No. We specialize in the strategy, documentation, and administration of tax-exempt entities and partner closely with your CPA, attorney, and wealth advisor. We help connect the dots so that everyone on your team is aligned around the same compliant structure and filing calendar.

Can you help if we already formed a nonprofit or foundation?

Yes. Many clients come to us after formation, once they realize how complex governance, documentation, and ongoing compliance can be. We can review your existing structure, highlight risks, suggest improvements, and provide ongoing administration support.

What happens on the discovery call?

We’ll ask about your goals, current structure (if you have one), your advisory team, and your timeline. You’ll leave the call with a recommended path—formation, administration, or advisor partnership support—and a sense of what working together involves in terms of time, documentation, and investment.

Do you work with clients outside Atlanta?

Our deepest expertise is in Atlanta and the surrounding metro area, where we understand the ecosystem, local professionals, and community context. We occasionally support clients in other regions on a case-by-case basis when aligned with our capacity and expertise.

Not Sure Where to Start?

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Talk to a Specialist

Book a 20-minute collaboration call and get your questions answered.

Our Guarantee

Administrative Accuracy Guarantee: If an IRS issue is caused by our preparation, we fix our work at no extra service fee.

What We Do

We provide administrative preparation and educational support. We do not provide legal or tax advice. 990-PF tax return preparation is coordinated through our partner CPA network.