Alabama Nonprofit Articles of Incorporation
Nonprofit articles of incorporation is the document filed to create a Alabama 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: | Alabama Secretary of State - Business Services Division |
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
| Agency Fee: | $200 |
| Law: | |
| Notes: |
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Other Helpful Alabama Facts
As you are preparing to incorporate, keep in mind the following requirements specific to Alabama, keep in mind:
Alabama Directors
- Number: minimum 3
- Qualifications: Natural person. No residency requirement. No membership requirement.
- Quorum: majority
- Committee: minimum 2 directors
Alabama Officers
- A president, one or more vice-presidents, a secretary, a treasurer and other officers and assistant officers as deemed necessary are required.
- Term: default is 1 year, 3 year maximum
- Two or more offices may be held by the same person, except the offices of president and secretary
Alabama Members
- Members: optional, defined in articles
- Annual meeting: required
- Quorum: 1/10th votes
