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NONPROFIT CORPORATIONS

A nonprofit corporation ("NPC", or "non-profit" or "not-for-profit" or non-stock ) is a corporation whose primary objective is to support an issue or matter of private interest or public concern for non-commercial purposes. Nonprofits may be involved in an innumerable range of areas relating to the arts, charities, education, politics, religion (churchs), research, sports or some other endeavor.

In the United States, nonprofit organizations are normally formed by incorporating in the state in which they expect to do business. The act of incorporating creates a legal entity enabling the organization to be treated as a corporation under law and to enter into business dealings, form contracts, and own property as any other individual or for-profit corporation may do.

NONPROFIT'S ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION

A Nonprofit's "Articles of Incorporation" is the main filing document which begins the nonprofit corporation's existence under state law.  Once filed, the NP comes into existence.

The articles of incorporation declare the desire of an individual or group to become a nonprofit corporation. It spells out certain minimum information about the nonprofit that is required by the laws of the state.

Generally, most jurisdictions require Articles of incorporation to contain, at a minimum, information about the following:

  • Corporate Name *
  • Business address
  • Detailed main purpose
  • Name and address of the Registered Agent.
  • Name and Address of at least 3 initial Directors.
  • If the Nonprofit will have members or not.

* It must include a name ending such as "Corporation", "Incorporated" or "Company" , "Foundation" or its abbreviations. Some states does not impose name ending requirements.

TAX EXEMPT STATUS - 501(c)(3).

501(c) is a subsection of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. § 501(c)), which lists 28 types of non-profit organizations exempt from certain federal taxes.

In order to apply for a tax exempt status, you must meet the following requirements:

  1. You must be incorporated as a nonprofit corporation.
  2. You must adopt bylaws for your corporation.
  3. Your must elect a Board of Directors and elect Officers.
  4. You must obtain an employer identification number
  5. Your organization must be organized and operated for a charitable, literary, scientific, religious or educational purpose or in furtherance of amateur athletics.
  6. Your organization may not be operated for the private financial benefit of any one person or for the benefit of a small class of persons.
  7. You must NOT engage in lobbying for political campaigns or similar political activity.

GETTIN STARTED

Active Filings will prepare and file your Articles of incorporation with your desired state in compliance with the 501(C)(3) requlation. Please note that Federal and State Tax Exemption filings, will be your responsibility.

Select your state from the following list and learn about our Incorporation plans for that state:

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Cost of Incorporating in the USA