The first step in our comprehensive guide, How to Start a Nonprofit in Oregon, is to choose a name for your nonprofit organization. Choosing the appropriate name is one of the most significant considerations any 501(c)(3) founder will make. We’re here to assist with our comprehensive guide on selecting, authenticating, and registering an Oregon charity name in four simple stages.

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.

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:

- Step 1 of 3

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A nonprofit company in Oregon must have a distinct name. You may quickly verify whether your desired name is available by utilizing the Oregon Business Search tool.

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.

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.

In Oregon, filing a trade 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.