The first step in forming a 501(c)(3) charity in Michigan is to file your Articles of Incorporation. This tutorial will help you through the eight procedures necessary to submit the Articles of Incorporation in Michigan to formally create a nonprofit.
Starting Over
You must submit the Articles of Incorporation for Use by Domestic Nonprofit Corporations in Michigan 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 Michigan charity.
Step 1: Provide your contact information and return address.
Step 2: List the Name of Your Nonprofit
Step 3: Describe the Purpose of Your Nonprofit
Step 4: Indicate Whether or Not Your Nonprofit Will Issue Stock
Step 5: Select a Resident Agent.
Step 6: List Your Incorporator Details
Step 7: Include Any Extra Attachments
Step 8: Documents for Formation
Step 1: Provide your contact information and return address.
The first step in completing the Michigan Articles of Incorporation is to give a contact name and return address.
Step 2: List the Name of Your Nonprofit
Then, provide the name of your nonprofit company. If you haven’t yet decided on a name for your organisation, these are the prerequisites for naming a nonprofit in Michigan:
The name of your charity must be distinct from any other name on record in the state of Michigan, including any reserved names.
The name of your nonprofit cannot indicate that it was founded for any reason other than what is stated in the 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.
Michigan Corporation Lookup
A nonprofit company must have a distinct name in order to exist in Michigan. You may simply verify whether your desired name is available by utilising the Michigan Business Entity 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 3: Describe the Purpose of Your Nonprofit
In part two, explain why you wish to establish your nonprofit company. 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 4: Indicate whether or not your non-profit will issue stock.
Indicate whether or not your charity will issue shares in article three. You must then give the following information with any option:
If your organisation plans to issue stock, make the entire number of shares available. If your organisation intends to split those shares into different classes, specify each class’s designation, the number of shares in each class, and the proportionate rights, privileges, and limits of the shares in each class.
If your nonprofit will not issue stock (i.e., nonstock), reveal the value of its assets, how it will be supported, and whether it will be constituted on a membership or directorship basis.
Step 5: Select a Resident Agent.
In Michigan, the Articles of Incorporation must be filed with a resident agent, also known as a registered agent in most states. This position may be filled by either a person or a corporation having a physical address in Michigan. A resident 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 resident agent.
This section’s requirements include:
Your resident agent’s name
The physical address of their registered office (not a P.O. Box)
If different from the above, the postal address of their registered office (this may include a P.O. Box)
Step 6: List Your Incorporator Details
Any individual who takes part in the completion and filing of the Articles of Incorporation is considered an incorporator. In article five, one or more incorporators must sign and indicate either a household or a business address.
It should be noted that educational groups must have at least three incorporators.
Step 7: Include Any Extra Attachments
You must incorporate certain extra declarations in your Articles of Incorporation to qualify for 501(c)(3) status. Attachments should be used to offer specifics on each item since the Michigan formation document does not contain sections on asset distribution upon dissolution or your original board of directors.
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.
Name Your Founding Board of Directors
Your organisation must have at least three directors to qualify for 501(c)(3) status. 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.”
Include each director’s postal address.
Step 8: Documents for Formation
In Michigan, you may submit your Articles of Incorporation online, via mail, or in person.