The first step in forming a 501(c)(3) charity in Mississippi is to file your Articles of Incorporation. This tutorial will help you through the nine procedures necessary to submit the Articles of Incorporation in Mississippi and formally create a nonprofit.
Starting Over
You may only submit the Articles of Incorporation for a domestic nonprofit company in Mississippi using the Secretary of State’s online site. This tutorial covers every step you need to take to properly submit this online paperwork and get started on the path to founding a Mississippi charity.
Step 1: Determine Your Entity Type
Step 2: Enter the Name of Your Nonprofit Step 3: Select an Effective Date for Your Filing
Step 4: Describe the Purpose and Duration of Your Nonprofit
Step 5: Omit the Non-Profit Section
Step 6: Select a Registered Agent
Step 7: List Your Incorporator Details
Step 8: Include Any Extra Attachments
Step 9: Documents for Formation
Step 1: List the Name of Your Nonprofit
Check the relevant box to indicate your company is a charity, and then enter your company’s email 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 charity, these are the prerequisites for naming a nonprofit in Mississippi:
Your nonprofit’s name must be distinct from any other name on file in Mississippi, including any reserved names.
The name of your nonprofit cannot persuade the public to assume it exists for a purpose different than what is 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.
Mississippi Company Name Lookup
A nonprofit company must have a distinct name in order to exist in Mississippi. You may quickly verify whether your desired name is available by utilising the Mississippi 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 3: Determine the Effective Date of Your Filing
If you choose an effective date later than the date of your first filing, provide it in this box. However, if you want your formation paperwork to be effective immediately after filing, leave this part blank.
Step 4: Describe the Purpose and Duration of Your Nonprofit
Describe the purpose and duration of your nonprofit in this area. For your organisation to be qualified for 501(c)(3) status, the purpose you declare 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
The majority of incorporators create their nonprofit businesses with no final goal in mind. If your organisation does have a specified termination date, you must state it here. Alternatively, choose “perpetual.”
Step 5: Ignore the Non-Profit Section.
You may skip the for-profit company portion since you want to register as a nonprofit corporation.
Step 6: Select a Registered Agent.
In Mississippi, the Articles of Incorporation must be filed with a registered agent. This position may be filled by either a person or a corporation having a physical address in Mississippi. 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
The actual address of your registered agent’s registered office (no P.O. Boxes)
Step 7: List Your Incorporator Details
Any individual who takes part in the completion and filing of the Articles of Incorporation is considered an incorporator. In this part, provide the name and address of each of your nonprofit’s incorporators.
Step 8: Include Any Extra Attachments
You must incorporate certain extra declarations in your Articles of Incorporation to qualify for 501(c)(3) status. Because the Mississippi online formation paperwork lacks sections on asset distribution upon dissolution and your first board of directors, utilise attachments to offer further information on each issue.
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.
Create Your First Board of Directors
In addition, in order to qualify for 501(c)(3) status, you must designate at least three directors to serve on your original board of 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.”
Include each director’s postal address.
Step 9: Documents for Formation
The Mississippi Articles of Incorporation may only be filed online.