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Non Profit Organizations

Articles of Incorporation (Non-Profit)

Drafting Articles of Incorporation for nonprofits requires extensive research across multiple sources—state secretary of state websites, IRS publications, legal templates, and bar association guidelines. Attorneys spend hours verifying state-specific naming requirements, registered agent rules, 501(c)(3) compliant language, and dissolution clauses, all while ensuring every article meets both state filing and federal tax-exemption standards.

Automation ROI

Time savings at a glance

Manual workflow6.5 hoursAverage time your team spends by hand
With CaseMark12 minutesDelivery time with CaseMark automation
EfficiencySave 22.5x time with CaseMark

The Problem

Forming a 501(c)(3) non-profit requires navigating complex state corporate law requirements and IRS organizational tests. Attorneys spend hours researching jurisdiction-specific provisions, drafting mandatory tax-exemption language, and ensuring compliance with both state filing requirements and federal tax code standards.

The CaseMark Solution

CaseMark automates the entire drafting process by generating state-specific, IRS-compliant Articles of Incorporation tailored to your organization's mission and structure. Our AI ensures all mandatory provisions are included, dissolution clauses meet tax-exemption requirements, and formatting complies with Secretary of State specifications.

Key benefits

How CaseMark automations transform your workflow

Automatically incorporates state-specific naming requirements and registered agent regulations

Generates IRS-compliant 501(c)(3) purpose language from official IRS Publication 557

Includes verified dissolution and asset distribution clauses for tax-exempt status

Reduces drafting time from 4-5 hours to under 15 minutes

Cites and verifies all legal sources including secretary of state guidelines and bar association best practices

What you'll receive

Article 1: Name of the Corporation
Article 2: Principal Office and Registered Agent
Article 3: Purpose
Article 4: Nonprofit Status and Tax-Exempt Intent
Article 5: Membership and Governance
Article 6: Incorporators
Article 7: Duration and Effective Date
Article 8: Additional Provisions

Document requirements

Required

  • Organization Information Sheet
  • Mission and Purpose Statement

Optional

  • Business Plan or Strategic Plan
  • Governance Preferences
  • Name Availability Confirmation

Perfect for

Non-profit founders establishing charitable organizations
Corporate attorneys handling non-profit formation matters
Community organizers creating tax-exempt entities
Social entrepreneurs launching charitable ventures
Religious organizations seeking formal incorporation
Educational institutions establishing non-profit status
Healthcare organizations forming charitable corporations

Also useful for

This workflow is applicable across multiple practice areas and use cases

Non-profit incorporation is a specialized form of corporate formation requiring articles of incorporation with specific tax-exempt language and organizational structure provisions.

Corporate formation attorneys regularly handle non-profit incorporations as part of their entity formation practice, requiring the same foundational documents as for-profit corporations but with distinct compliance requirements.

Articles of incorporation establish the foundational governance structure for non-profit organizations, including membership provisions, board authority, and dissolution procedures that govern ongoing operations.

Corporate governance attorneys need properly drafted articles of incorporation to establish compliant governance frameworks for non-profit clients, particularly regarding membership rights, board structure, and fiduciary obligations.

Healthcare Law78% relevant

Healthcare organizations forming charitable hospitals, clinics, or medical foundations require non-profit articles of incorporation with specific 501(c)(3) compliance language for tax-exempt status.

Healthcare attorneys frequently assist medical organizations in establishing non-profit entities for charitable healthcare delivery, requiring specialized articles that meet both state incorporation and federal tax-exemption requirements.

Estate Planning72% relevant

Estate planning attorneys establish private foundations and charitable organizations as part of wealth transfer strategies, requiring compliant non-profit articles of incorporation for tax-deductible giving vehicles.

Creating charitable foundations and non-profit entities is a common estate planning tool for high-net-worth clients seeking tax-efficient philanthropy, requiring properly drafted organizational documents.

Frequently asked questions

Q

What makes non-profit Articles of Incorporation different from for-profit articles?

A

Non-profit Articles must include specific provisions required for tax-exempt status, including an exclusive charitable purpose statement, prohibition on private inurement, and dissolution clause dedicating assets to exempt purposes. They also typically address membership structures and prohibitions on political activity that don't apply to for-profit corporations. These provisions are irrevocable and must satisfy both state corporate law and IRS Section 501(c)(3) requirements.

Q

How does CaseMark ensure my Articles meet state-specific requirements?

A

CaseMark maintains current databases of all 50 states' non-profit corporation statutes and Secretary of State filing requirements. The system automatically applies jurisdiction-specific provisions including name requirements, registered agent qualifications, mandatory article provisions, and formatting specifications. Each draft includes state-required language and excludes prohibited provisions based on your incorporation jurisdiction.

Q

Can I use these Articles to apply for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status?

A

Yes, CaseMark drafts Articles specifically designed to satisfy the IRS organizational test for 501(c)(3) recognition. The document includes required purpose limitations, dissolution clauses, and prohibitions on private inurement and political activity that the IRS examines in Form 1023 applications. The Articles serve as a foundational document for your tax-exemption application.

Q

What information do I need to provide to generate Articles of Incorporation?

A

You'll need your proposed corporate name, state of incorporation, registered agent details, incorporator information, and a description of your charitable purposes and activities. Optional information includes governance preferences like board size, membership structure, and officer positions. The more detail you provide about your mission and programs, the more tailored your purpose statement will be.

Q

How long does it take to get Articles of Incorporation filed with the state?

A

CaseMark generates your filing-ready Articles in minutes. State processing times vary by jurisdiction, typically ranging from 1-2 weeks for standard processing to 1-3 business days for expedited filings. The system provides state-specific filing instructions, current fee schedules, and information about expedited processing options to help you plan your formation timeline.