The first step in forming a 501(c)(3) charity in Indiana is to file your Articles of Incorporation. This article will help you through the eight procedures necessary to submit the Articles of Incorporation in Indiana and formally create a nonprofit.
Table of Contents
Starting Over
In Indiana, you must submit the Articles of Incorporation – Domestic Nonprofit Company form to incorporate 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 Indiana 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: Confirm any additional members
Step 5: List Your Incorporator Details
Step 6: Outline the Asset Distribution Upon Dissolution
Step 7: Include Any Extra Attachments
Step 8: Documents for Formation
Step 1: List the Name of Your Nonprofit
The first step in completing the Indiana Articles of Incorporation is to identify the name and address of your organisation. If you haven’t yet decided on a name for your charity, here are the criteria for designating a nonprofit in Indiana. :
The name of your organisation must be distinct from any other name on record in Indiana, including any reserved names.
The words “Inc.,” “Ltd.,” “Incorporated,” or “Company” must appear in the name of your organisation.
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.
Indiana Business Lookup
A nonprofit company must have a distinct name in order to exist in Indiana. You may quickly verify whether your desired name is available by utilising the Indiana 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
Following the completion of Article Two, you must tick the appropriate box to indicate whether your organisation will be a public benefit company, a religious corporation, or a mutual benefit corporation.
Step 3: Select a Registered Agent.
In Indiana, the Articles of Incorporation must be filed with a registered agent. This position may be filled by either a commercial or noncommercial registered agent. 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. Your company cannot act as its own registered agent.
The name of your selected registered agent must be included.
Step 4: Confirm any additional members
Check the relevant box to confirm whether or not your nonprofit company will have members.
Step 5: List Your Incorporator Details
Any individual who takes part in the completion and filing of the Articles of Incorporation is considered an incorporator. Each incorporator’s name and address must be included in this section.
Step 6: Outline the Asset Distribution Upon Dissolution
Describe how your nonprofit corporation’s assets will be dispersed upon dissolution on a piece of paper the same size as your Articles of Incorporation.
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 7: Include Any Extra Attachments
In order to qualify for 501(c)(3) status, your Articles of Incorporation must also contain certain additional declarations about your nonprofit’s original board of directors. You must specifically name at least three 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.”
Step 8: Documents for Formation
In Indiana, you may file the Articles of Incorporation online or by mail. You must provide two copies of the Articles of Incorporation if you file by mail (one original and one copy).