Starting a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Rhode Island is easy — and the first task is filing your Articles of Incorporation. This guide will walk you through the nine steps required to file the Articles of Incorporation to officially start a nonprofit in Rhode Island.
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Getting Started
To start a domestic nonprofit corporation in Rhode Island, you must file Form 200 – Articles of Incorporation for a Non-Profit Corporation. This guide covers each step you must take to fill out this document successfully and get on the right track to forming a Rhode Island nonprofit.
Step 1: List Your Nonprofit’s Name
Step 2: Disclose Your Nonprofit’s Duration
Step 3: Describe Your Nonprofit’s Purpose
Step 4: Provide Any Additional Provisions
Step 5: Choose a Registered Agent
Step 6: Name Your Initial Board of Directors
Step 7: List Your Incorporator Information
Step 8: Choose an Effective Date for Your Filing
Step 9: File Formation Documents
(Check out our other guides for a look at how to start a nonprofit organization or how to file articles of incorporation in other states.)
Step 1: List Your Nonprofit’s Name
The first step to filling out your Rhode Island Articles of Incorporation is to list your nonprofit corporation’s name. If you haven’t gone through the process of establishing a name for your organization, here are the requirements for naming a nonprofit in Rhode Island:
- Your nonprofit’s name must be distinguishable from any other name on record within the state of Rhode Island, including any reserved names.
- Your nonprofit’s name can’t imply the organization’s intent or purpose is anything other than what’s stated in the Articles of Incorporation.
Recommended: For a step-by-step guide to naming your nonprofit corporation in Rhode Island, read our guide on How to Name a Nonprofit in Rhode Island.
Search the Availability of Your Name
After selecting potential names — ideally, at least four or five — it’s important to search for their availability in your state. You can do this by conducting the four recommended searches outlined below, or use our 501(c)(3) Lookup Table.
Rhode Island Business Entity Search
To operate in Rhode Island, a nonprofit corporation must have a unique name. You can easily check if your chosen name is available by performing a search using the Rhode Island business entity search tool.
Domain Name Search
We strongly recommend that you also check to see if your business name is available as a web domain (URL). Even if you don’t plan to create a business website today, you may want to buy the web address to prevent others from acquiring that domain name. It’s a free search.
Federal Trademark Search
You can easily check if someone already trademarked your chosen nonprofit name by using the federal Trademark Electronic Search System. This is important even if you don’t plan to incorporate your nonprofit right away.
Once you confirm that no one else already trademarked your chosen name, you can apply for a trademark for your nonprofit.
Web and Social Media Search
A strong social media presence will play a key role in expanding your reach to potential donors as well as clients that will use your services. That makes it important to search the web and popular social media platforms for your desired name before registering it to ensure it’s available on all the platforms where you plan to promote your organization.
Step 2: Disclose Your Nonprofit’s Duration
Most incorporators form their nonprofit corporations without an end date in mind. If this is the case for your organization, check the “perpetual” box in this section. Otherwise, check the second box and disclose your nonprofit’s specific date of dissolution.
Step 3: Describe Your Nonprofit’s Purpose
Your nonprofit’s purpose must include one or more of the following characteristics for it to be eligible for 501(c)(3) status:
- Charitable
- Religious
- Educational
- Scientific
- Literary
- Testing for public safety
- Fostering national/international amateur sports competition
- Preventing cruelty to animals/children
If necessary, you may use an attachment to complete this section. If you do so, remember to check the box at the bottom of this section to indicate the existence of an attachment.
Step 4: Provide Any Additional Provisions
In order for your nonprofit to qualify for 501(c)(3) status, you must include some additional statements with your Articles of Incorporation. Because the Rhode Island formation document doesn’t include a section related to the distribution of assets upon dissolution, use article four or an attachment to describe how your organization will distribute its assets upon dissolution.
Distribution of assets upon dissolution must be for approved, tax-exempt purposes only. For more information about the requirements of dissolution and 501(c)(3) status, refer to the sixth section of the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS’) suggested language for corporations and associations.
If you use an attachment to provide this information, remember to check the box at the bottom of this section to indicate the existence of that attachment.
Step 5: Choose a Registered Agent
A registered agent is required to file the Articles of Incorporation in Rhode Island. Either a resident or a business entity qualified to do business in Rhode Island may fill this role. A registered agent’s responsibilities include accepting and forwarding service of process documents for the corporation as well as serving as a point of contact for the entity.
Requirements for completing this section include:
- The name of your registered agent
- Your registered agent’s address (This can’t include a P.O. Box)
Recommended: Using an affordable registered agent service offers many benefits. For more information on choosing a registered agent service, read our full guide.
Step 6: Name Your Initial Board of Directors
In order to qualify for 501(c)(3) status and complete this formation document, your nonprofit must name at least three directors. Requirements for completing this section include:
- The total number of your initial directors
- The name and address of each initial director
For a complete guide to forming your nonprofit’s board of directors, read our How to Develop a Board of Directors for a Nonprofit in Rhode Island article.
Step 7: List Your Incorporator Information
An incorporator is any person who participates in the completion and submission of the Articles of Incorporation. In this section, list the name and address of each incorporator.
Step 8: Choose an Effective Date for Your Filing
Indicate your chosen effective date for your formation documents by checking the appropriate box in this section. You have two options:
- The date received (upon filing); or
- A later effective date you provide (this can’t be more than 30 days after the initial filing date).
Step 9: File Formation Documents
You can file your Rhode Island Articles of Incorporation in three ways: online, by mail, or in person.
File the Rhode Island Articles of Incorporation
OPTION 1: File Online With the Rhode Island Business Services Online Filing System
– OR –
OPTION 2: File Form 200 by Mail or in Person
Fee: $35
Filing Address:
Business Services Division
148 W. River Street, Suite 1
Providence, RI 02904
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I start a nonprofit in Rhode Island?
You can incorporate a nonprofit in Rhode Island by filing the Articles of Incorporation for a Non-Profit Corporation with the Department of State’s Business Services Division by mail, in person, or online.
How much does it cost to start a nonprofit in Rhode Island?
Filing the Articles of Incorporation for a Rhode Island nonprofit costs $35.
How do I find nonprofits in Rhode Island?
Use our handy Rhode Island 501(c)(3) Lookup Table to find nonprofits in Rhode Island. You can use this tool to see if your preferred nonprofit name is in use or not.
Rhode Island Nonprofit Quick Links
IRS: Information for Charities and Nonprofits
IRS: Charity – Required Provisions for Organizing Documents
IRS: Form 990 Series for Tax-Exempt Organizations
IRS: Applying for Tax-Exempt Status
IRS: 501(c)(3) Compliance Guide
US Small Business Administration: Apply for Licenses and Permits
Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation
State of Rhode Island: Business Registration
Rhode Island Secretary of State
Rhode Island 501(c)(3) Lookup Table