New York Nonprofit Articles of Incorporation

Nonprofit articles of incorporation is the document filed to create a New York 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

Other Helpful New York Facts

As you are preparing to incorporate, keep in mind the following requirements specific to New York, keep in mind:

New York Directors

• Number: minimum 3
• Qualifications: 18 years of age (some exceptions). No residency requirement. No membership requirement.
• Term: 1 year unless otherwise specified in the articles or bylaws, 5 year maximum
• Quorum: majority
• Committee: minimum 3 directors

New York Officers

• A president, one or more vice-presidents, a secretary and a treasurer.
• Term: 1 year
• Two or more offices may be held by the same individual, except for president and secretary.

New York Members

• Members: optional
• Regular meeting: required annually
• Quorum: majority of entitled votes