Nonprofit Articles for the United States

Nonprofit Articles Template for United States

Articles of Incorporation for nonprofits are formal legal documents filed with state authorities in the United States to establish a nonprofit corporation. They outline the organization's basic structure, purpose, and governance framework while complying with both state nonprofit corporation laws and federal tax-exempt requirements. This document serves as the foundation for obtaining tax-exempt status and provides the legal framework for the organization's operations.

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What is a Nonprofit Articles?

Nonprofit Articles are essential founding documents required when establishing a nonprofit organization in the United States. They must be filed with the state's Secretary of State office and serve as the primary document for creating the legal entity. The articles typically include the organization's name, purpose, structure, and basic operational framework. They are crucial for applying for federal tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) and must comply with both state and federal requirements. Organizations should carefully craft these articles as they form the legal foundation for all future operations.

What sections should be included in a Nonprofit Articles?

1. Article I - Name: Legal name of the nonprofit organization

2. Article II - Purpose: Organization's charitable or nonprofit purpose and mission statement, including activities that fulfill tax-exempt requirements

3. Article III - Duration: Period of existence (usually perpetual) of the organization

4. Article IV - Registered Agent: Name and address of registered agent for service of process

5. Article V - Board of Directors: Initial directors and basic governance structure, including minimum and maximum number of directors

What sections are optional to include in a Nonprofit Articles?

1. Article VI - Membership: Defines membership structure and rights, if the organization will have members

2. Article VII - Additional Provisions: Special provisions for operations, including IRS-required provisions for 501(c)(3) status

3. Article VIII - Dissolution: Process for dissolving the organization and distribution of assets upon dissolution

What schedules should be included in a Nonprofit Articles?

1. Schedule A - Initial Board Members: List of initial board members with their names, addresses, and contact information

2. Schedule B - Assets: Detailed list of initial assets of the organization, if any

3. Schedule C - Bylaws: Initial corporate bylaws detailing the organization's operational rules and procedures

Authors

Alex Denne

Head of Growth (Open Source Law) @ Genie AI | 3 x UCL-Certified in Contract Law & Drafting | 4+ Years Managing 1M+ Legal Documents | Serial Founder & Legal AI Author

Jurisdiction

United States

Publisher

Genie AI

Cost

Free to use
Industries

IRC 501(c)(3): Federal Internal Revenue Code section governing tax-exempt organizations, defining requirements for charitable, religious, educational, and scientific organizations

Federal Tax Regulations: General federal tax regulations applicable to nonprofit organizations including reporting requirements and restrictions on activities

Form 1023 Requirements: IRS application requirements for tax-exempt status, including detailed organizational and operational information

State Nonprofit Corporation Acts: State-specific laws governing the formation and operation of nonprofit corporations, including filing and maintenance requirements

State Tax Laws: State-specific tax regulations affecting nonprofit organizations, including potential exemptions and reporting requirements

State Charitable Solicitation Laws: Regulations governing fundraising activities and charitable solicitations within specific states

Corporate Governance Requirements: State-specific requirements for corporate structure, board composition, and organizational management

Fiduciary Duty Regulations: Legal obligations of board members and officers to act in the best interest of the organization

Secretary of State Requirements: State-specific filing and registration requirements for nonprofit corporations with the Secretary of State's office

Private Inurement Prohibition: Legal restriction preventing nonprofit assets from benefiting private individuals or shareholders

Private Benefit Restrictions: Regulations limiting the provision of substantial private benefits to non-charitable beneficiaries

Lobbying Limitations: Restrictions on the amount of lobbying activity permitted for tax-exempt organizations

Political Activity Restrictions: Prohibitions on partisan political activities for 501(c)(3) organizations

Annual Reporting Requirements: Ongoing obligations to file annual reports with state and federal authorities, including Form 990

Teams

Employer, Employee, Start Date, Job Title, Department, Location, Probationary Period, Notice Period, Salary, Overtime, Vacation Pay, Statutory Holidays, Benefits, Bonus, Expenses, Working Hours, Rest Breaks,  Leaves of Absence, Confidentiality, Intellectual Property, Non-Solicitation, Non-Competition, Code of Conduct, Termination,  Severance Pay, Governing Law, Entire Agreemen

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