There is a non-trivial amount of paperwork required to set up a private foundation.  Cummings & Lockwood was a big help to me in establishing the Fourntation. One of the first steps is to file a Form SS-4 (there are other forms involved too) to get an Employer Identification Number (EIN).  The Patrick Foundation has no employees but you still need this number.  It is like a social security number for an organization. The Patrick Foundation's EIN is 06-1519341.

The next step is to file a Form 1023 Application for Recognition of Exemption.   This results in the Foundation being designated as exempt from Federal income tax under section 501 (a) of the Internal Revenue Code as an organization described in section  501 (c) (3).

The on-going activity is filing the tax return for the Foundation.  This is done on form 990-PF Return of Private Foundation.  The 990-PF  is required to be made public via a notice in the local newspaper.  The tax filing is no fun. That is one of the reasons I chose to have Foundation Source handle all the administrative aspects of the Foundation.