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Nonprofit Formation Articles of Incorporation

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Minutes of the Organizational Meeting of the Incorporators and Directors of a Non-Profit Corporation

The organizational meeting of the Incorporators and Directors of , an Alabama non-profit corporation, was held at the office of , , , Alabama, on the th of , at a.m./p.m. pursuant to waiver of notice signed by all of the Incorporators and Directors.

The following Incorporators and Directors were present at the meeting or available by telephone:

: Incorporator and Director

: Director

: Director

Constituting all of the Incorporators and members of the Board of Directors.

Upon motion duly made, seconded and unanimously carried, was chosen Chairman of the meeting, and () was chosen as Secretary of the meeting.

The Secretary presented to the meeting a waiver of notice thereof signed by all the Incorporators and Directors. The Chairman directed that the said waiver of notice be attached to the minutes of this meeting and placed in the minute book of the Corporation.

The Chairman submitted to the meeting the proposed Articles of Incorporation which was examined and approved by the Incorporators and Directors.

The Chairman explained that the original of this document must be filed in the Office of the Probate Judge of County, Alabama and after having been recorded would be returned to the Corporation to be placed in the minute book.

Thereupon, on motion duly made, seconded and unanimously carried, it was:

RESOLVED, that the Articles of Incorporation presented to this meeting are hereby adopted as the Articles of Incorporation of this Corporation and that the Chairman is directed to cause the Articles of Incorporation of this Corporation to be recorded in the Office of the Judge of Probate of County, Alabama, and after having been recorded would be returned to the Corporation to be place in minute book.

The Chairman then presented to the meeting a form of proposed Bylaws for the regulation of the affairs of the Corporation. Said form of Bylaws was read and a full and complete discussion was had concerning the same. Thereupon, on motion duly made, seconded and unanimously passed, it was:

RESOLVED, that the Bylaws presented to this meeting be and they are hereby adopted as the Bylaws of this Corporation, and that the Secretary is instructed to cause a copy of said Bylaws certified by all directors and Incorporators to be placed in the minute book of this Corporation immediately following the Corporation's Certificate of Incorporation.

The Secretary submitted to the meeting a seal proposed for the use of the Corporation. Thereupon, on motion duly made, seconded and unanimously carried it was:

RESOLVED, that the form of the seal submitted to this meeting bearing the word and figures:


CORPORATE SEAL
ALABAMA

be and hereby is approved and adopted as and for the corporate seal of this Corporation.

The Chairman then suggested that the Secretary of the Corporation should be authorized to procure the necessary books and records under the new corporate name, that the President of the Corporation should be authorized to pay all expenditures and to reimburse all persons for all expenses made in connection with the change of name and corporate purpose, and that the corporate attorney be authorized to obtain a ruling or determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service as to the tax exempt status of the corporation. Furthermore, that the should be given a housing allowance with the most favorable tax treatment available to as such and that said amount should be dollars per month ($ per month) and/or ($ annually)

On motion duly made, seconded and unanimously carried, it was:

RESOLVED, that the Secretary of this Corporation be and hereby authorized and directed to procure all corporate books of account required by the statutes of the State of Alabama or as are necessary and appropriate in connection with the business of this corporation; that the President of this corporation be and is hereby authorized and directed to pay all fees and expenses incident to this incorporation, and to reimburse any person who had made any disbursements for and on behalf of the corporation; and that the corporate attorney is authorized to obtain a ruling or determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service as to the tax exempt status of the corporation. And that the be given a housing allowance with the most favorable tax treatment available to as such and that said amount should be per month ($ per month) and/or Dollars Per Year ($ annually)

The Chairman then stated that the next business before the meeting was the election of the Board of Directors to hold office until the first annual meeting of the Directors.

Upon motion duly made, seconded and unanimously carried, it was:

RESOLVED, that the number of Directors be fixed at no less than three (3) and no more than seven (7) and that the following persons are elected as Directors of this Corporation to hold office until the first annual meeting of Directors:

Names of the directors are:

The next order of business was the election of officers of the Board of Directors.

Thereupon, the following persons were duly nominated to the following offices:

President/Executive Director

Vice President

Secretary

There being no other nominations, and on motion duly made, seconded and unanimously carried, such nominees were duly elected to the offices stated beside their respective names to the Board of Directors and at the Board's pleasure.

The next order of business was the election of officers of the corporation.

Thereupon, the following persons were duly nominated to the following offices:

President

Vice-President

Secretary/Treasurer

There being no other nominations, and on motion duly made, seconded and unanimously carried, such nominees were duly elected to the offices stated beside their respective names to serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.

The Chairman then stated that the corporation should open a bank account under the corporate name and choose a bank to be its depository, and suggested that it would be appropriate for the bank account to be opened at , , Alabama.

On motion, seconded and unanimously carried, the following resolution was adopted:

RESOLVED, that , , Alabama be named as a depository of this corporation, and that funds so deposited may be withdrawn on a check, draft, note or order of the corporation, when signed by at least one of the following officers of the corporation:

NAME      OFFICE

   President

   Secretary/Treasurer

Said signatures shall be duly certified to such bank, and such bank is hereby authorized to pay such checks, drafts, notes or orders or to receive the same for credit of, or in payments from the payee, or other legal holder when so signed by at least one of the officers listed above, without inquiry as to the circumstances or disposition of their proceeds; whether drawn to the individual order or tendered in payment of the individual obligations of the officer above named, or other officers of this corporation, or otherwise. This resolution shall continue in force until notice to the contrary is given in writing.

RESOLVED FURTHER, that the foregoing resolution shall remain in full force and effect until expressly revoked by action of the Board of Directors of this Corporation.

The Chairman state that the next order of business was to authorize the officers of the corporation to act for and behalf of the corporation in borrowing money and in executing the instruments necessary thereto. A discussion ensued. After discussion, upon motion duly made, seconded and unanimously carried, the following resolution was adopted:

RESOLVED, that , President of this Corporation; , Secretary Treasurer of this Corporation, be and they are hereby authorized to borrow money, issue bonds, discount bills, receivable or negotiable paper, and to obtain credit for the corporation from any source under such terms as they or any two of them in their discretion may deem advisable, and in connection therewith to make, execute, endorse and deliver any notes, drafts, acceptances, bonds, agreements or any other obligations of the corporation, and as security therefor, to pledge or hypothecate any stocks, bonds, bills receivable, bills of lading, warehouse receipts or other instruments or property of the corporation, and to execute and deliver any and all endorsements, instruments of assignment, or powers of attorney, as may be necessary or required in connection therewith;

RESOLVED FURTHER, that the foregoing resolution shall remain in full force and effect until expressly revoked by action of the Board of Directors of this Corporation.

There was no further business presented, and on motion duly made, seconded and unanimously carried, the meeting was adjourned.

__________________________________________

Secretary of the Meeting

Approved:

_______________________

Chairman of the Meeting

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What the Nonprofit Formation Articles of Incorporation Do

The Nonprofit Formation Articles of Incorporation is the foundational legal document filed with a state’s business filing office to create a nonprofit corporation. It declares the entity’s legal name, primary charitable or educational purpose, registered agent, incorporator(s), and initial directors where required. States use the articles to confirm statutory compliance and to issue a certificate of incorporation. Properly filed articles enable the organization to obtain an EIN, open bank accounts, enter contracts in the corporation’s name, and begin the process of applying for federal tax-exempt status such as IRS 501(c)(3).

Why filing correct Articles matters for your nonprofit

Filing accurate articles creates a distinct legal entity, limits personal liability for directors and officers, documents the nonprofit’s purpose and governance framework, and is the first step toward tax-exempt recognition and grant eligibility.

Why filing correct Articles matters for your nonprofit

Who typically prepares and files the Articles

Small nonprofit founders, volunteer incorporators, board chairs, and nonprofit attorneys commonly prepare and submit articles of incorporation.

  • Founders and volunteer organizers who draft the initial articles and coordinate filings with the state business office.
  • Nonprofit attorneys or paralegals who ensure language meets state requirements and supports later 501(c)(3) applications.
  • Board members and initial directors who review, approve, and adopt the articles and accompanying bylaws.

Who files may affect required signatures, whether a notary is needed, and whether the state requires additional supporting documents at submission.

Essential elements to include in professional articles

A professional articles document uses clear statutory language and includes clauses that support governance, tax-exempt treatment, and future legal needs.

Corporate Name

Provide the exact legal name to be registered. Include any required corporate suffix (e.g., 'Inc.' or 'Incorporated') as defined by state statute to ensure availability and avoid rejection.

Purpose Clause

State the nonprofit’s primary charitable, educational, religious, or scientific purpose. Use precise, IRS-aligned language when intending to seek 501(c)(3) status to support exempt classification.

Registered Agent

List a registered agent and a physical street address in the filing state for service of process; post office boxes are typically insufficient for this role.

Directors/Board

Identify initial directors if required by the state and specify whether the board will have staggered terms, as some states request this information on the formation filing.

Dissolution Clause

Include a dissolution provision directing assets to another tax-exempt organization to meet IRS requirements for public charity classification.

Duration and Powers

Specify whether the corporation is perpetual and state the statutory powers it will exercise, aligning with state nonprofit corporation codes.

Step-by-step: completing and filing your articles

Follow these core steps in order to prepare a state-compliant articles of incorporation filing.

  • 01
    Plan structure: Confirm mission, board size, and fiscal year before drafting.
  • 02
    Draft articles: Populate required state fields and include IRS-friendly purpose language.
  • 03
    Obtain approvals: Have incorporator(s) and initial directors sign as required.
  • 04
    File with state: Submit to the Secretary of State with the correct fee and format.

Where to send the completed Articles and next actions

After signing, submit the articles to the appropriate state office and complete parallel registrations required to operate and seek tax benefits.

  • State filing office: File with the Secretary of State or equivalent business filing division in the incorporation state.
  • Federal registrations: Apply for an EIN from the IRS and prepare Form 1023 or 1023-EZ if seeking 501(c)(3) status.
  • State charity registration: Check state charity registration and solicitation requirements after incorporation.
  • Local permits and tax: Obtain local business licenses and state tax-exemption paperwork as needed.

Common digital workflow settings for online completion

Configure these settings when using an e-signature platform to collect required signatures and preserve audit trails.

Field Configuration
Signature Type Electronic signature field with timestamp and signer email capture.
Authentication Email verification or SMS code for signer identity confirmation.
Template Create reusable article templates for consistent filings.
Retention Auto-archive signed PDFs and export audit logs for records.

Digital signing and eSubmission considerations

Use a platform that supports PDF/Word uploads, audit trails, and the authentication level your state or funders require.

  • File formats: Accept PDF and DOCX for reliable state acceptance.
  • Authentication: Support email, SMS, or stronger ID checks for signer verification.
  • Integrations: Connect with cloud storage and accounting systems for records.

Ensure the chosen solution preserves a timestamped audit trail and stores signed copies securely to satisfy ESIGN/UETA record-retention and evidence needs.

Required information typically requested on the form

Organization Name: Exact legal name
Principal Purpose: Charitable or exempt purpose
Registered Agent: Name and physical address
Incorporator: Name and mailing address
Initial Directors: Names and addresses if required
Dissolution Clause: Disposition of assets

Potential consequences of incorrect or incomplete articles

Rejection: State filing refusal
Delay: Processing and recognition delays
Loss of Exemption: IRS revocation after repeated noncompliance
Personal Liability: Improper filings can weaken liability protection
Registration Issues: Charity registration delays or fines
Recordkeeping Risks: Inadequate retention complicates audits

Common mistakes to avoid when preparing articles

  • Using overly vague or non-IRS-aligned purpose language that undermines future 501(c)(3) eligibility and prolongs IRS review.
  • Failing to confirm name availability before filing, resulting in rejected filings and lost filing fees.
  • Listing incorrect or absent registered agent information that prevents service of process and leads to administrative issues.
  • Not including a dissolution clause directing assets to another tax-exempt entity, which can impede tax-exempt approval.

Practical tips for accurate and efficient completion

Adopt consistent internal processes to minimize rework and support later compliance filings.

Craft precise purpose language
Draft your purpose clause with future tax-exempt status in mind; clear charitable language can streamline IRS Form 1023 review and reduce requests for clarification.
Prepare bylaws at formation
Draft and approve bylaws at or shortly after incorporation to establish governance practices, officer roles, conflict-of-interest policies, and meeting procedures expected by funders and regulators.
Confirm signer authority
Verify that incorporator(s) and initial directors consent and are properly documented; unsigned or improperly authorized filings are common rejection causes.
Keep complete records
Store signed articles, filing receipts, bylaws, EIN confirmation, and meeting minutes together in secure, backed-up storage for audit readiness.

Real-world examples of articles used in practice

Two brief examples illustrate how different organizations structure formation documents to meet operational and compliance needs.

Optica Ventures (Small nonprofit)

A volunteer-led civic group set a narrow educational purpose to qualify for small-grant programs

  • The incorporators listed three initial directors with full contact details
  • They filed online with the state, created bylaws simultaneously, and retained signed PDFs and the filing receipt for IRS and grant applications.

Fertility Centers of Illinois (Healthcare nonprofit)

A medical nonprofit included explicit HIPAA-aligned language and a strong dissolution clause

  • They designated a registered agent and included initial director consents
  • The organization preserved secure records, added a privacy policy, and attached BAA-ready templates for future vendor relationships.

eSignature provider pricing and feature snapshot for nonprofit filings

Compare typical starting prices and core features relevant to signing and storing Articles of Incorporation; signNow appears first for parity in comparison.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day trial Varies Varies Varies Varies
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes Varies
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes Varies Varies

Frequently asked questions about articles and eSigning

Answers to common questions on legal validity, notarization, state filing, and correcting mistakes when forming a nonprofit.


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