Ohio Nonprofit Articles of Incorporation
Nonprofit articles of incorporation is the document filed to create a Ohio 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: | Ohio Secretary of State |
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
| Agency Fee: | $99 |
| Turnaround: | ~3-7 business days for mail. |
| Law: | |
| Notes: | The registered agent must sign. |
Other Helpful Ohio Facts
As you are preparing to incorporate, keep in mind the following requirements specific to Ohio, keep in mind:
Ohio Directors
- Number: minimum 3
- Qualifications: None. No residency requirement. No membership requirement.
- Term: until successor is elected
- Quorum: majority
- Committee: minimum 1 director
Ohio Officers
- A president, a secretary, and a treasurer are required.
- Qualifications: Need not be a director.
- Two or more offices may be held by the same individual.
Ohio Members
- Members: If there are no members then the directors are members.
- Regular meeting: required annually. Default date is the first Monday four months following the close of the fiscal year.
- Quorum: presence of voting members
