How to Start a Nonprofit | Step 3: State Forms

Laws and regulations on starting a nonprofit organization vary from state to state. Below, we have provided a very short general primer to help get you started. Before getting started you should consult information from your state charitable official and retain the services of an attorney familiar with nonprofit law. Regulations differ greatly from state to state, so this listing should not be considered comprehensive or a substitute for competent legal counsel.

• Reserve/register intended name
• File Articles of Incorporation
  • Cover sheet
  • Articles
  • Certificate of Disclosure
  • Proof of Corporate Name
  • Filing fees
• Extra steps, depending on state
  • In many states you must publish your of articles of incorporation a certain number of times in a local newspaper, then file proof of publication with a state agency
• Governance Package
  • Prepare and adopt bylaws
  • Prepare and adopt Conflict of Interest Policy
  • Prepare and adopt Compensation Policies
  • Prepare and adopt Sarbanes-Oxley compliance policies

State Resources

• Alabama Association of Nonprofits
• Arkansas Coalition for Excellence
• Colorado Nonprofit Association
• Connecticut Association of Nonprofits
• Center for Nonprofit Advancement (DC)
• Delaware Association of Nonprofit Agencies
• Louisiana Association of Nonprofit Organizations
• Maine Association of Nonprofits
• Maryland Nonprofits
• Michigan Nonprofit Association
• Minnesota Council of Nonprofits
• Montana Nonprofit Association
• New Hampshire Center for Nonprofits
• Center for Non-Profits (NJ)
• North Carolina Center for Nonprofits
• Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations
• South Carolina Association of Nonprofit Organizations
• Texas Association of Nonprofit Organizations
• Utah Nonprofits Association
• Virginia Network of Nonprofit Organizations