Incorporating a nonprofit can be a tricky process without sufficient preparation and research. Learning what is necessary to becoming a nonprofit before the process begins saves considerable time in the long-run. Typically charter articles, mission statements, and financial summaries are necessary for filing articles of incorporation.
Charter articles on the state level are filed with the secretary of state’s office. Each state has its own rules regarding how to go about this, but generally, they follow the same rules as for-profit corporations.[i] NPOs must also lay out the general mission of their organization and specify that funds will be transferred back into the organization. A declaration of initial board members as well as their functions and duties will also likely be required.
A fee for incorporation is required in almost all states, and depending upon the area in which the NPO is incorporated, can cost several hundred dollars. State laws differ vastly from one another. In fact, it is this wide range of rules about incorporation that make many for-profit companies (credit card companies, etc.) locate in specific states.
[i] Articles of Incorporation for NPOs, online. http://www.nonprofit-info.org/if/idealist/en/FAQ/QuestionViewer/default?category-eid=5-5&eid=65-52&sid=84761347-257-Qiy
