The first step in forming a 501(c)(3) charity in Alaska is to file your Articles of Incorporation. This article will bring you through the seven processes necessary to formally file the Articles of Incorporation.
Table of Contents
Starting Over
You must submit the Articles of Incorporation for a Domestic Nonprofit Company in Alaska to form a domestic nonprofit corporation. This tutorial will walk you through each step of completing this paperwork and getting started on the path to founding an Alaska charity.
Step 1: List the Name of Your Nonprofit Step 2: Describe the Purpose of Your Nonprofit Step 3: Select a Registered Agent
Step 4: Form Your First Board of Directors
Step 5: Include Any Extra Attachments
Step 6: List Your Incorporator Details
Step 7: Documents for Formation
Step 1: List the Name of Your Nonprofit
The first step in completing the Alaska Articles of Incorporation is to provide the name of your organisation in article one of the document. If you haven’t yet decided on a name for your organisation, below are the prerequisites for naming a nonprofit in Alaska:
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 Alaska, including any reserved names.
Your nonprofit’s name cannot include any terms that may imply it is associated with a government entity.
Without the required approvals, your nonprofit’s name cannot incorporate terms like “university,” “bank,” 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 the Alaska Corporations Database
A nonprofit company must have a distinct name in order to exist in Alaska. You may simply verify whether your desired name is available by utilising the Alaska Corporations Database application.
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 reason for forming your nonprofit company in article two of the formation paperwork. This is one of the most significant parts of this document since your federal tax exemption is dependent on your organization’s purpose being in accordance with Internal Revenue Service (IRS) criteria.
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
Nonprofit organisations in Alaska should provide any appropriate NAICS code(s) in this area. The State of Alaska offers a list of NAICS codes that have been authorised.
Step 3: Select a Registered Agent.
In Alaska, the Articles of Incorporation must be filed with a registered agent. In the third article of your Articles of Incorporation, you must provide the name and address of your registered agent.
A registered agent acts as your nonprofit’s official contact by receiving official papers on its behalf, such as compliance notifications and tax filings. In the case of a lawsuit, your registered agent is also responsible for receiving service of process paperwork.
A registered agent for a nonprofit corporation can be an Alaska resident with a physical address in the state or a corporation registered or in good standing with the Alaska Secretary of State, except for limited liability companies (LLCs), limited liability partnerships (LLPs), or limited partnerships (LPs). Your company cannot act as its own registered agent.
While verification of permission from your registered agent is not necessary with this file, you must give their name as well as their physical and postal addresses.
Step 4: Form Your First Board of Directors
The state of Alaska mandates that you list at least three board directors on your Articles of Incorporation, along with their postal addresses. If you want to list more than three, you must include that information on a separate page. 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.”
Read our How to Develop a Board of Directors for a Nonprofit in Alaska article for a comprehensive guide on creating your nonprofit’s board of directors.
Because this is a public document, you should provide post office box addresses rather than home addresses to preserve the privacy of your board members.
Step 5: Include Any Extra Attachments
To be eligible for 501(c)(3) status, you must include a section in your Articles of Incorporation that explains how your charity will utilise its funds and what will happen to it if/when the organisation dissolves. A example of such a provision may be seen on the IRS website. In particular, in the case of dissolution, all earnings should be utilised for tax-exempt causes.
Step 6: List Your Incorporator Details
At least three incorporator signatures are required. Incorporators must be natural beings above the age of 19.
Step 7: Documents for Formation
In Alaska, you may submit your Articles of Incorporation online, by mail, via fax, or in person.