The first step in forming a 501(c)(3) organisation in New Hampshire is to file your Articles of Agreement. This article will help you through the ten steps necessary to submit the Articles of Agreement and formally establish a nonprofit in New Hampshire.
Table of Contents
Starting Over
You must submit the Articles of Agreement of a New Hampshire Nonprofit Company to form a domestic nonprofit corporation in New Hampshire. This tutorial will walk you through each step of completing this paperwork and getting started on the path to founding a charity in New Hampshire.
Step 1: List the Name of Your Nonprofit
Step 2: Describe the Purpose of Your Nonprofit
Step 3: Describe the Terms of Membership
Step 4: Outline the Asset Distribution Upon Dissolution
Step 5: Provide your nonprofit’s primary address.
Step 6: List the Capital Stock Amount (If Any)
Step 7: Include Liability Clauses
Step 8: Include Any Extra Attachments
Step 9: List Your Incorporator Details
Step 10: Documents for File Formation
Step 1: List the Name of Your Nonprofit
The first step in completing your New Hampshire Articles of Agreement is to enter the name of your nonprofit company. If you haven’t yet decided on a name for your charity, here are the criteria for designating a nonprofit in New Hampshire. :
The name of your charity must be distinct from any other name on record in the state of New Hampshire, including any reserved names.
The name of your nonprofit cannot indicate that the organization’s goal is anything other than what is specified in the Articles of Agreement.
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.
New Hampshire Business Lookup
A nonprofit company must have a distinct name in order to exist in New Hampshire. You may quickly verify whether your preferred name is available by utilising the New Hampshire QuickStart Business 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: Describe the Purpose of Your Nonprofit
Describe the mission of your organisation in article two. For your organisation to be qualified for 501(c)(3) status, it must have 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
Step 3: Describe the Membership Terms and Conditions
Article three should outline the conditions of membership and/or participation if your nonprofit company will have members. Having members may provide several advantages, such as voting rights in director elections. If your company decides to have members, the following conditions must be included:
The creation of membership categories, if your organisation will have more than one (Otherwise, members will form one class.)
The specifics of members’ rights (Unless otherwise mentioned in your nonprofit’s formation papers or bylaws, members have no voting rights.)
The set terms of membership (You may define this in your formation document or in the bylaws of your charity.)
Confirmation that each voting member has one vote (Weighted voting is prohibited.)
Step 4: Outline the Asset Distribution Upon Dissolution
Describe how the assets of your nonprofit company will be divided if it is dissolved.
Dissolution assets must only be distributed for authorised, tax-exempt uses. 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: Provide your nonprofit’s primary address.
List the following information in article five:
The primary location where your nonprofit’s operations will take place.
The primary postal address for your NGO (if different from its principal address)
The business email address of the NGO
Step 6: List the Capital Stock Amount (If Any)
The majority of nonprofit businesses have no capital stock or shares to distribute. Article six should include any capital stock, shares, or membership certificates that your nonprofit company may have.
Step 7: Include Liability Clauses
You may incorporate provisions that remove or restrict personal responsibility for the directors, officers, or both of your nonprofit’s directors and officers. If you do not intend to include such provisions, put “none” in article seven.
Step 8: Include Any Extra Attachments
You must incorporate certain extra declarations in your Articles of Agreement to qualify for 501(c)(3) status. Because the New Hampshire formation paperwork does not have a section for your original board of directors, offer that information as an attachment. At least three directors are required.
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.”
Step 9: List Your Incorporator Details
Any individual who takes part in the completion and filing of the Articles of Agreement is considered an incorporator. This document requires the signatures and addresses of at least five incorporators.
Step 10: Documents for File Formation
You may submit your New Hampshire Articles of Agreement online or by mail. If you file by mail, you must send one copy to the Department of State and one copy to the city or town clerk in the region where your nonprofit’s business address is located.