The first step in our comprehensive guide, How to Start a Charitable in Connecticut, is to choose a name for your 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Choosing the correct name is one of the most essential choices any entrepreneur will make. We’re here to assist with our comprehensive guide to selecting, authenticating, and registering a Connecticut charity name in four simple stages.
The first step in our comprehensive guide, How to Start a Charitable in Connecticut, is to choose a name for your 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Choosing the correct name is one of the most essential choices any entrepreneur will make. We’re here to assist with our comprehensive guide to selecting, authenticating, and registering a Connecticut charity name in four simple stages.
It is critical to choose the correct name for your firm. We suggest following these recommendations when selecting a name that best symbolizes your nonprofit’s goal and purpose:
Before you begin studying their availability, we suggest that you choose at least four to five names that meet your requirements. This method increases your chances of obtaining a distinctive and accessible name.
Most charities in Connecticut are corporations, but you may also form a nonprofit as an unincorporated organization, a trust, an association, or a limited liability company (LLC). You must adhere to specified naming standards for each choice.
The most frequent technique to create a nonprofit is to incorporate. While corporate name restrictions vary by state, several criteria apply worldwide. Connecticut state criteria include the following:
Requirements for Tax Exemption
Pay special attention to the terminology of your nonprofit’s name if you want to apply for tax-exempt status with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Any statements that indicate a political or lobbying connection may make it difficult for you to apply for 501(c)(3) status.
After you’ve decided on one or more names for your organization, check to see whether they’re still available. Every charity must have a distinct name, therefore it’s a good idea to check the availability of your preferred name before incorporating.
The top four searches you should do are as follows:
Search the Connecticut Business Registry
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 incorporate a nonprofit right away, this is essential.
You may register for a trademark for your organization after you have confirmed that no one else has previously trademarked your selected name.
If you need assistance in creating a logo for your organization, consider branding your company with our Free Logo Generator! Get a one-of-a-kind logo in minutes and begin creating your nonprofit’s identity right now.
Search the Web and Social Media
A good social media presence can help you reach out to prospective contributors or 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.
After you’ve decided on a name for your charity and confirmed its availability, the following step is to register the name. You have many choices for registering your name:
Fill out a Name Reservation Form for a Corporation Fill out a DBA Name
Domestic nonprofit companies in Connecticut are not needed to register for a name reservation prior to formation. However, reserving a name might be advantageous, particularly if you aren’t ready to incorporate but want to assure the availability of your preferred name.
To make a name reservation in Connecticut, follow these steps:
Name reservations for nonprofit companies in Connecticut are valid for 120 days and may be renewed.
Incorporating is the most frequent method to create a charity, and it is the next step in making your organization official once you have chosen a name. In Connecticut, there are a few simple stages to forming a corporation:
In Connecticut, filing a trade name, also known as a doing business as (DBA) name, permits your charity to operate under a name other than its legal, registered company name. This is particularly useful if you wish to modify the name of an existing company without amending its Certificate of Incorporation.