Kentucky Nonprofit Articles of Incorporation
Nonprofit articles of incorporation is the document filed to create a Kentucky 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: | Kentucky Secretary of State |
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail, in-person, or online. |
| Agency Fee: | $40 filing fee + Organization Tax Fee dependent on number of authorized shares (minimum fee of $10) |
| Turnaround: | ~3-5 business days by mail or online |
| Law: |
Other Helpful Kentucky Facts
As you are preparing to incorporate, keep in mind the following requirements specific to Kentucky, keep in mind:
Kentucky Directors
- Number: minimum 3
- Qualifications: None. No residency requirement. No membership requirement.
- Term: 1 year and until successor elected and qualified
- Quorum: majority
- Committee: minimum 2 director
Kentucky Officers
- Defined in bylaws or board resolution. One officer prepares minutes of the directors' and members' meetings.
- Two or more offices may be held by the same individual.
Kentucky Members
- Members: optional
- Annual meeting: required
- Quorum: 1/10th votes
