In Maryland, How Do You Name a Nonprofit?

The first step in our comprehensive guide, How to Start a Charitable in Maryland, is to choose a name for your 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Choosing the correct name is one of the most essential choices any entrepreneur will make. We’re here to assist with our comprehensive guide to selecting, authenticating, and registering a Maryland charity name in four simple stages.

In 4 Simple Steps, Name Your Nonprofit

It is simple to name your Maryland nonprofit. Simply follow these four easy steps to get the greatest name for your 501(c)(3) organization (3).

Step 1: Select an Appropriate Name for Your Nonprofit
Step 2: Adhere to Maryland’s Nonprofit Naming Rules.
Step 3: Determine whether your company’s name is available.
Step 4: Register the Name of Your Nonprofit

Step 1: Select an Appropriate Name for Your Nonprofit

It is critical to choose the correct name for your firm. We suggest following these recommendations when selecting a name that best symbolizes your nonprofit’s goal and purpose:
Make your point. The name of a charity should be straightforward and detailed enough to express its objective. Avoid employing ambiguous phrases or concepts that may mislead funders and potential customers about the objective of your organization.
Make it unforgettable. When choosing a name for a firm, rememberability is critical. Choosing a name that will stay in the minds of individuals who hear it can not only increase your nonprofit’s awareness among contributors and volunteers, but will also make it simpler for prospective customers to locate your services.
Maintain a professional demeanor. Nonprofits depend largely on their public image to attract funders or consumers who may need their services — and their initial impression will be based on the name of your organization. As a result, your organization need a professional name that conveys a genuine commitment to its goal and purpose.
Make it personal. Whether your organization serves animals, displaced people, or any other group, emotion and compassion are inextricably linked. Choosing a name that appeals to the emotions of both contributors and customers can aid in the development of trust and the legitimacy of your company.

Step 2: Adhere to Maryland’s Nonprofit Naming Rules.

Most charities in Maryland are corporations, but you may also form a nonprofit as an unincorporated organization, a trust, an association, or a limited liability company (LLC). You must adhere to specified naming standards for each choice.
This article will concentrate on the prerequisites for naming a nonprofit company.
Requirements for a Company Name
The most frequent technique to create a nonprofit is to incorporate. While corporate name restrictions vary by state, several criteria apply worldwide. Maryland state regulations include the following:
Your corporation’s name must be distinct from any other name on file in Maryland, including any reserved names.
Your corporation’s name must include one of the following words or abbreviations: “Company” (if not followed by the word/symbol “and”), “Corporation,” “Incorporated,” or “Limited.”
Requirements for Tax Exemption
Pay special attention to the terminology of your nonprofit’s name if you want to apply for tax-exempt status with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Any statements that indicate a political or lobbying connection may make it difficult for you to apply for 501(c)(3) status.

Step 3: Determine Whether Your Business Name Is Available

After you’ve decided on one or more names for your organization, check to see whether they’re still available. Every charity must have a distinct name, therefore it’s a good idea to check the availability of your preferred name before incorporating.
The top four searches you should do are as follows:
Maryland Business Entity Lookup Domain Name Lookup Federal Trademark Lookup Search the Web and Social Media
Search for a Maryland Business Entity
A nonprofit company in Maryland must have a distinct name. You may simply verify whether your desired name is available by utilizing the Maryland Business Entity Search tool.
Domain Name Lookup
We highly advise you to additionally check to see whether your company name is accessible as a web domain (URL). Even if you don’t intend to construct a company website right away, you should purchase the domain name to prevent others from gaining it. It’s a completely free search.

Search the Web and Social Media
A good social media presence can help you reach out to prospective contributors or customers who will employ your services. As a result, before registering your preferred name, check the web and prominent social media platforms for it to confirm it is accessible on all platforms where you want to advertise your group.

Step 4: Register the Name of Your Nonprofit

After you’ve decided on a name for your charity and confirmed its availability, the following step is to register the name. You have many choices for registering your name:
Apply for a Corporation Name Reservation
Request a DBA Name

Request a Name Reservation

Domestic nonprofit companies in Maryland are not needed to register for a name reservation prior to formation. However, reserving a name might be advantageous, particularly if you aren’t ready to incorporate but want to assure the availability of your preferred name.
To reserve a corporate name in the state of Maryland, follow these steps:
Send a Corporate Name Reservation Application and the $25 filing fee to the Maryland Secretary of State.
Fill out the form online at the Maryland Business Express website.
Name reservations for nonprofit businesses in Maryland are valid for 30 days and may be renewed.

Create a Corporation

Incorporating is the most frequent method to create a charity, and it is the next step in making your organization official once you have chosen a name. In Maryland, there are a few simple stages to forming a corporation:
Name Your Business

Select a Registered Agent

Select the Initial Directors and Share Structure for Your Corporation
Deposit the Formation Documents

Obtain an EIN Number for a DBA Name

In Maryland, filing an assumed name or fictitious name, also known as a doing business as (DBA) name, permits your charity to operate under a name other than its legal, registered company name. This is particularly useful if you wish to modify the name of an existing organization without amending its Articles of Incorporation.