The first step in forming a 501(c)(3) charity in Connecticut is to file your Certificate of Incorporation. This article will help you through the eight procedures necessary to submit a Certificate of Incorporation in Connecticut to formally create a nonprofit.
Starting Over
In Connecticut, you must submit the state’s Certificate of Incorporation for a Nonstock Corporation to form a nonprofit corporation. This tutorial covers every step you need to take to properly complete this paperwork and get started on the path to founding a Connecticut charity.
The Filing Party
You must put the name and address of the person who will receive confirmation of your submission at the top of the form.
Step 1: List the name of your nonprofit. Step 2: Confirm any members.
Step 3: Describe the Purpose of Your Nonprofit
Step 4: Include Any Extra Attachments
Step 5: Write down the corporate email address.
Step 6: Select a Registered Agent.
Step 7: List Your Incorporator Details
Step 8: Documents for Formation
Step 1: List the Name of Your Nonprofit
The first step in completing the Connecticut Certificate of Incorporation is to enter the name of your organisation in section one of the paper. If you haven’t yet decided on a name for your organisation, these are the prerequisites for naming a nonprofit in Connecticut:
The words “corporation,” “business,” “incorporated,” “limited,” or an abbreviation of any of these phrases must appear in the name of your nonprofit.
Your nonprofit’s name must be distinct from any other name on file in Connecticut, including any reserved names.
Your nonprofit’s name cannot include any terms that suggest it is associated with a government entity.
Your nonprofit’s name cannot contain the terms “university,” “bank,” “credit union,” or “trust” as a distinct word to indicate that the organisation is involved in banking or trust.
Look for the Availability of Your Name
Following the selection of prospective names — preferably, at least four or five — it’s essential to check their availability in your state. You may do this by completing the four suggested searches listed below.
Search for Connecticut Business Records
A nonprofit company must have a distinct name in order to exist in Connecticut. You may quickly verify whether your desired name is available by utilising the Connecticut Business Records 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.
Federal Trademark Lookup
Using the federal Trademark Electronic Search System, you may quickly see whether your preferred charity name has already been trademarked. Even if you do not intend to create your charity right immediately, this is essential.
You may register for a trademark for your organisation after you have confirmed that no one else has previously trademarked your selected name.
Search the Web and Social Media
A good social media presence can help you reach out to prospective funders as well as 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 2: Verify Any Members
This section gives four choices for describing the members of your organisation. Choose the option that relates to your organisation from the list below:
No members
Only non-voting members are permitted.
There is just one kind of member.
There are many classes of members, each of which is labelled as follows: (If you choose this option, you must provide information about each class.)
Step 3: Describe the Goal of Your Nonprofit
Section three should outline your organization’s objective or the nature of its operations. To be qualified for 501(c)(3) status, your organization’s mission must incorporate one or more of the following characteristics:
Charitable\sReligious\sEducational\sScientific\sLiterary
Public safety testing
promoting amateur sports competition on a national and worldwide scale
Preventing animal/child cruelty
In addition to completing this area, if you have the NAICS code for the purpose of your nonprofit to list, write it in the next section.
Step 4: Include Any Extra Attachments
You must include certain extra declarations with your Certificate of Incorporation in order for your organisation to qualify for 501(c)(3) status. These contain information about your original board of directors and how your nonprofit’s assets will be distributed upon dissolution.
Here’s what you need to know to effectively share this information:
Establish Your Board of Directors
Connecticut law does not require you to designate your board of directors. To qualify for 501(c)(3) status, you must have a minimum of three board directors. Follow these guidelines while creating your nonprofit’s inaugural board of directors:
Prefixes such as “Mr.” or “Ms.” should be avoided.
Use lineage titles if relevant.
If appropriate, use titles such as “M.D.” or “Ph.D.”
Outline the Asset Distribution Upon Dissolution
Describe how the assets of your nonprofit company will be divided if it is dissolved. Use an attachment if you need more space.
To qualify for 501(c)(3) status, your organisation must only disperse its assets to recognised, tax-exempt causes upon dissolution. Refer to the sixth section of the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS’) proposed wording for corporations and organisations for further information on the requirements of dissolution and 501(c)(3) status.
Step 5: Write down the corporate email address.
Section five of the paper should provide your nonprofit corporation’s email address. This will be used by the state to give you a reminder to submit your yearly report. Check the available box if you do not have a business email address, but do not leave this field blank.
Step 6: Select a Registered Agent.
In Connecticut, a registered agent is necessary to submit a Certificate of Incorporation. This function might be filled by a person or a company. A registered agent’s duties include receiving and sending service of process paperwork for the company as well as acting as the organization’s point of contact. Your company cannot act as its own registered agent.
Individual — This is a Connecticut resident having a physical street address in the state. You may appoint an officer or director to serve as your registered agent. The following are the filing requirements for this sort of agent:
A signature from the person accepting this position
Individual’s commercial and residential addresses, including street name and number, city, and ZIP code (Neither can be a P.O. Box address.)
Business — This is a qualified registered corporate agent with the Connecticut Secretary of State. The following are the filing requirements for this sort of agent:
The submitted company name must match the records of the State of Connecticut.
A signature on behalf of the registered agent accepting this position
The complete name and title of the person signing on the registered agent’s behalf
A full street address, with street name and number, city, and ZIP code (This cannot be a post office box address.)
Step 7: List Your Incorporator Details
Each incorporator must sign this paper and give their postal address. These postal addresses must include a street name and number, as well as a city, state, and ZIP code and cannot be for a P.O. Box.
Step 8: Documents for Formation
You have two options for filing your Connecticut Certificate of Incorporation for a Nonstock Corporation: online, by mail, or in person. You must present two copies of your Certificate of Incorporation whether filing by mail or in person (the original and one copy).