Arkansas Nonprofit Articles of Incorporation
Nonprofit articles of incorporation is the document filed to create a Arkansas nonprofit corporation.
Preparing and filing your articles of incorporation is the first step in starting your nonprofit corporation. Approval of this document secures your corporate name and creates the legal entity of the nonprofit. Only after this approval can you apply for 501c, apply for fundraising licenses, open a bank account, and otherwise conduct business.
Benefits
Incorporating provides many important benefits:
- Limits the liability of directors, officers, and shareholders
- Fulfills statutory requirements to register your organization's name
- Is a prerequisite for applying for 501(c) tax exemption
- Provides governance and adds credibility to the business or organization
Fast Facts
| Agency: | Arkansas Secretary of State - Business and Commercial Services Division (BCS) |
| Form: | NPD-1: Articles of Incorporation for Domestic Nonprofit Corporation or NPD-1-501-c-3: Articles of Incorporation for Domestic Nonprofit Corporation - 501(c)(3) |
| Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
| Agency Fee: | $50 by mail or $45 online |
| Turnaround: | ~2-4 business days by mail or online |
| Law: |
Other Helpful Arkansas Facts
As you are preparing to incorporate, keep in mind the following requirements specific to Arkansas, keep in mind:
Arkansas Directors
- Number: minimum 3
- Qualifications: An individual. No residency requirement. No membership requirement.
- Term: default is 1 year, 6 year maximum
- Quorum: majority
- Committee: minimum 2 directors
Arkansas Officers
- A president, a secretary, a treasurer and such other officers as are appointed by the board.
- Two or more offices may be held by the same individual.
- Term: 3 year maximum
Arkansas Members
- Members: optional
- Annual meeting: required
- Quorum: 1/10th votes
