How to Register a Charity Organization in Indiana

The Indiana state offices are located in Indianapolis.

Charities are the backbone of much of the social work in America. From feeding the hungry to sheltering stray animals, volunteers provide support to the community. Non-profit organizations allow like-minded people to come together to discuss backyard gardens, religion, social policy, and even adventures in foreign wars. Creating and registering a charity non-profit organization in Indiana is straightforward and requires no legal expertise.

Instructions

1. Adopt a name that is uniquely yours. All corporations, which is what a registered non-profit is, must have either "corporation," "incorporated," "limited," "company," or their abbreviations somewhere in their name.

2. Appoint at least three directors for the charity.

3. Submit articles of incorporation to the Indiana Secretary of State along with a $30 fee, as of April, 2011. A filing form in pdf format can be found found at in.gov/icpr. The information required includes the names of the board, the contact information, the purpose of the organization and the public benefit.

4. Call the Internal Revenue Service toll-free at 800-829-4933 to register for an Employer Identification Number (EIN). This is necessary for hiring employees, having bank accounts and tax filing purposes.

5. Register the accepted corporation with the Indiana Department of Revenue at secure.in.gov/apps/dor/bt1/.

6. Complete and file IRS Form 1023 to apply for a federal tax exemption. Filing can be done over the Internet at IRS.gov/pub/IRS-pdf/f1023.pdf.

7. Complete and file the Indiana form NP-20A after you receive the non-profit tax status statement from the IRS. Download NP-20A from the State of Indiana website at in.gov/icpr/2362.htm

References

• Citizen Media Law Project: Forming a Nonprofit Corporation in Indiana
• Citizen Media Law Project: Articles of Incorporation for Nonprofits
• Indiana Consumer; Information on Charitable Fundraising; 2009