The purpose and anticipated funding of the organization should determine what type of tax status the founder should use, not the issue of control.  If it is formed for a charitable purpose and is likely to be able to obtain charitable contributions that would not be available to a taxable corporation, he should definitely consider the (c)(3) application.  If he does not obtain recognition of exemption, he will ultimately be taxed on the surplus income.

The founder is correct to be concerned about maintaining control of the organization.  I was talking with a client recently who was telling me there were so many founders in her town who had lost control of their corporations that they had formed their own organization to keep it from happening again.  But there is a way to deal with the issue, by forming a membership nonprofit where the founder is the sole member and has the right to select and remove the directors on the board.  (See Ready Reference Page:  “Sole Member Bylaws Can Protect Founder of Nonprofit”) 

We are aware that many commentators think it is a terrible idea from the public’s point of view, and that the IRS has some skepticism, although it has no basis on which to deny exemption on that fact alone.  But we have found that many social entrepreneurs who want to assure that they can pursue their vision without fear of losing control think it is a pretty neat idea.