Indiana Nonprofit Articles of Incorporation
Nonprofit articles of incorporation is the document filed to create a Indiana 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: | Indiana Secretary of State - Business Services Division |
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail, in-person or online |
| Agency Fee: | $30 online or $50 by mail. |
| Turnaround: | ~15 minutes online. ~24 hours in-person. ~5-7 business days by mail. |
| Law: | Indiana Code - Title 23: Business and Other Associations - Article 17: Nonprofit Corporations |
| Notes: | Submit the original and one copy. |
Other Helpful Indiana Facts
As you are preparing to incorporate, keep in mind the following requirements specific to Indiana, keep in mind:
Indiana Directors
- Number: minimum 3
- Qualifications: An individual. No residency requirement. No membership requirement.
- Term: default is 1 year, 5 year maximum
- Quorum: majority
- Committee: minimum 1 director
Indiana Officers
- A president, a secretary, a treasurer, and other officers appointed by the board of directors. 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.
Indiana Members
- Members: optional
- Annual meeting: required
- Quorum: 1/10th votes
