The first step in forming a 501(c)(3) charity in New Jersey is to file your Articles of Incorporation. This article will help you through the 14 steps necessary to submit the Articles of Incorporation in New Jersey and formally create a charity.
Table of Contents
Starting Over
In order to establish a domestic nonprofit company in New Jersey, you must first complete a Public Records Filing for New Business Entity form. This tutorial will walk you through each step of completing this paperwork and getting started on the path to incorporating a charity in New Jersey.
Step 1: List the name of your nonprofit
Step 2: Confirm your business type code.
Step 3: Describe the Purpose of Your Nonprofit
Step 4: Ignore the Stock Section.
Step 5: State the duration of your nonprofit.
Step 6: Select a Registered Agent.
Step 7: Form Your First Board of Trustees
Step 8: List Your Incorporator Details
Step 9: Reveal Additional Information
Step 10: Documents for File Formation
Step 1: List the Name of Your Nonprofit
The first step in completing your New Jersey formation paperwork is to identify the name of your nonprofit company. If you haven’t yet decided on a name for your nonprofit, here are the requirements for naming a nonprofit in New Jersey:
The name of your charity must be distinct from any other name on record in the state of New Jersey, including any reserved names.
The phrase “a New Jersey Nonprofit Corporation,” “incorporated,” “corporation,” or “corporation” must be in the name of your nonprofit.
Your nonprofit’s name cannot indicate anything different than what is stated in its Public Records Filing for New Business Entity paperwork.
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 for a Business Name in New Jersey
A nonprofit company must have a distinct name in order to exist in New Jersey. You may quickly determine if your desired name is available by utilising the New Jersey Business Name Search tool and the New Jersey Business Name Availability 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: Double-check Your Business Type Code
In item two, provide the relevant business entity type code. “NP” is the code for domestic nonprofits. See Item 2 in the guidelines on page 21 for all other kinds of enterprises.
Step 3: Describe the Purpose of Your Nonprofit
In item three, define the mission of your organisation. 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: Ignore the Stock Section.
Because domestic NGOs do not hold inventory, you may skip to the next stage by leaving item four blank.
Step 5: State the duration of your nonprofit.
Most incorporators create nonprofit organisations with no set termination date in mind. Include such information in item five if your organisation has a predetermined duration. If not, leave it empty.
Step 6: Select a Registered Agent.
The New Jersey Public Records Filing for New Business Entity form must be filed by a registered agent. This position may be filled by either a person or a company that is registered and in good standing with the New Jersey State Treasurer. 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 item has the following requirements:
The name of your designated registered agent
Your registered office’s street address
Your primary or primary business address
Step 7: Form Your First Board of Trustees
Name your initial board of trustees and provide each with a street address. You must identify at least three trustees to qualify for 501(c)(3) status and finish this formation paperwork. If you have more than three trustees, provide the names and addresses of each additional trustee as an attachment.
Follow these rules when listing your nonprofit’s inaugural board of trustees:
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: List Your Incorporator Details
Any individual who takes part in the completion and filing of the formation paperwork is considered an incorporator. This item requires at least one incorporator to supply their name, address, and signature.
Step 9: Reveal Additional Information
This item requires you to provide the nonprofit entity-specific information listed below by first ticking the relevant box and then revealing any required details:
If your non-profit organisation will have members,
The various classes of members’ rights and limitations (if applicable)
How will your nonprofit’s trustees be chosen?
How your nonprofit’s assets will be distributed if it is dissolved
Nota bene: Asset distribution following dissolution must be for authorised, tax-exempt purposes only. 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 10: Documents for File Formation
You have two options for submitting your New Jersey Public Records Filing for New Business Entity document: online or by mail. Page 23 of the New Jersey Business Registration package contains the application.