Connecticut Nonprofit Articles of Incorporation
Nonprofit articles of incorporation is the document filed to create a Connecticut 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: | Connecticut Secretary of State - Business Services Division |
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail, fax or online. |
| Agency Fee: | $50 + optional $50 expedite fee |
| Turnaround: | ~3-5 business days. ~24 hours for $50 expedite fee. |
| Law: |
Other Helpful Connecticut Facts
As you are preparing to incorporate, keep in mind the following requirements specific to Connecticut, keep in mind:
Connecticut Directors
- Number: minimum 3
- Qualifications: None. No residency requirement. No membership requirement.
- Term: until the next annual meeting
- Quorum: majority
- Committee: minimum 1 director
Connecticut Officers
- Defined in articles or bylaws. One officer prepares minutes of the directors' and members' meetings and authenticates records of the corporation.
- Two or more offices may be held by the same individual.
Connecticut Members
- Members: optional
- Annual meeting: required if members entitled to vote for directors
- Quorum: majority of entitled votes
