How to Incorporate a Ministry
Once you have passed through a period of prayerful discernment and determined to start a ministry, you must follow steps to incorporate your church or ministry. The secretary of state's office in your state can help guide you through the process of incorporation as a nonprofit corporate entity.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
Incorporating a Ministry
-
1
Decide on a name for your ministry. When you have chosen the name, ask the secretary of state to help you do a name search for a distinct name. In some states, such as Ohio, you can conduct a name search online.
-
2
Register your name by filing Articles of Incorporation. The website Your Ministry Helper (http://www.yourministryhelper.com) cautions you to verify that the articles apply to a nonprofit entity if your state uses a different title, such as Articles of Organization, Certificate of Incorporation, Certificate of Formation or a Charter. According to the website FindLaw (http://smallbusiness.findlaw.com), filing fees vary from $35 to $300.
-
-
3
File for tax-exempt status. You will receive a state-certified copy of Articles of Incorporation. Use that to file a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt application to the Internal Revenue Service. According to Your Ministry Helper, you should fill out IRS Form 8718. The IRS must review your application. It will approve your exempt status or request more information. In the event of a denial for tax-exempt stus, you may need to hire an attorney with nonprofit expertise.
-
4
Write your ministry's corporate bylaws. You can use a corporate bylaws template or hire an attorney to help you. Corporate bylaws establish the governance of your nonprofit corporation.
-
5
Prepare to conduct business. Begin by appointing a board of directors to operate your nonprofit corporation. Check with your state to determine how many members your board must include. Some states require three members--a pastor, a secretary and a treasurer. According to Your Ministry Helper, some states may require one member.
-
1
