Montana Nonprofit Articles of Incorporation
Nonprofit articles of incorporation is the document filed to create a Montana 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: | Montana Secretary of State |
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $20 |
| Turnaround: | ~10 business days. Expedited options available. |
| Law: | |
| Original Ink: | Required |
| Notes: | You must submit original signatures. |
Other Helpful Montana Facts
As you are preparing to incorporate, keep in mind the following requirements specific to Montana, keep in mind:
Montana Directors
- Number: minimum 3
- Qualifications: Individuals. No residency requirement. No membership requirement.
- Term: 1 year unless otherwise specified in the articles or bylaws. Except for designated or appointed directors, the terms of directors may not exceed 5 years.
- Quorum: majority
- Committee: minimum 2 directors
Montana Officers
- A president, a secretary, and a treasurer are required. 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.
Montana Members
- Members: optional
- Annual meeting: required
- Quorum: 1/10th votes
