The first step in forming a 501(c)(3) charity in Hawaii is to file your Articles of Incorporation. This article will help you through the eight procedures necessary to submit the Articles of Incorporation in Hawaii and formally create a charity.
Table of Contents
Starting Over
You must submit the Articles of Incorporation for a Domestic Nonprofit in Hawaii to form a domestic nonprofit company. This tutorial covers every step you need to take to properly complete this paperwork and get started on the path to founding a Hawaii charity.
Step 1: Provide the Name of Your Nonprofit Step 2: Provide Your Mailing Address Step 3: Select a Registered Agent
Step 4: Make a list of your incorporators.
Step 5: Confirm any additional members
Step 6: Include Any Extra Attachments
Step 7: Provide the signatures of at least one incorporator.
Step 8: Documents for Formation
Step 1: List the Name of Your Nonprofit
The first step in completing the Hawaii Articles of Incorporation is to specify the name of your organisation. If you haven’t yet decided on a name for your organisation, below are the prerequisites for naming a nonprofit in Hawaii:
Your nonprofit’s name must be distinct from any other name on file in Hawaii, including any reserved names.
Your nonprofit’s name cannot imply that it serves any purpose other than those stated in its Articles of Incorporation.
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.
Hawaii Company Name Lookup
A nonprofit company must have a distinct name in order to function in Hawaii. You may simply verify whether your desired name is available by utilising the Hawaii Business Name 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: Enter your mailing address.
Enter the postal address of your nonprofit corporation’s main office in article two.
Step 3: Select a Registered Agent.
In Hawaii, the Articles of Incorporation must be filed through a registered agent. This function may be filled by a human, a domestic entity, or a foreign entity that is authorised to do business in the state of Hawaii. A registered agent’s duties include receiving and sending service of process paperwork for the company as well as acting as the entity’s point of contact.
This section’s requirements include:
The name of your designated registered agent
Your selected registered agent’s street address
Step 4: Make a list of your incorporators.
Incorporators are the people who help you complete and/or submit your nonprofit’s Articles of Incorporation. On this paper, each incorporator must provide their name and postal address.
Step 5: Confirm any additional members
Check the relevant box in item five to indicate whether or not your organisation will have members.
Step 6: Include Any Extra Attachments
To qualify for 501(c)(3) status, you must include certain extra declarations in your nonprofit’s Articles of Incorporation about its asset distribution upon dissolution, board of directors, and mission.
Here is what you need to know in order to properly share this information:
Outline the Asset Distribution Upon Dissolution
Describe how the assets of the nonprofit company will be allocated if it is dissolved.
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.
Name Your Company’s Board of Directors
Name your original board of directors and their addresses. To be eligible for 501(c)(3) status and to complete the formation paperwork, you must identify at least three directors. Include an attachment with the names and addresses of each additional director if you have more than three to mention.
Follow these recommendations when naming your first 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.”
List the Purpose of Your Nonprofit
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
Step 7: Provide the signatures of at least one incorporator.
At least one incorporator must sign your Articles of Incorporation, certifying that all of the document’s contents and attachments are genuine.
Step 8: Documents for Formation
In Hawaii, you may submit your Articles of Incorporation online, by mail, via fax, by email, or in person.