For a standard fixed fee, Catalyst prepares and files standard entity formation documents for domestic nonprofit corporation clients in Oregon, including:
- Check for name availability with Oregon Secretary of State
- Prepare and file:
- Articles of Incorporation to form new nonprofit public benefit, mutual benefit, or religious corporation
- Assumed Business Name (“ABN”) Registration (otherwise known as “dba;” or “doing business as”), if applicable
- Oregon Dep’t of Justice Charitable Registration Form (Form RF-C)
- Prepare corporate governance documents, including:
- Bylaws, customized and tailored to state-specific nonprofit corporation laws;
- Resolution of Organizer;
- Initial Member Resolutions; and
- Conflict of Interest Policy.
- Obtain Federal Tax Employment Identification Number (FEIN) and Oregon Business Identification Number (BIN), if applicable
- Provide electronic corporate “minute book” with copies of executed formation documents
- Provide start-up guidance letter, including:
- guidance regarding initial actions of the incorporator and board of directors;
- counsel regarding planned activities and compliance issues;
- governance and compliance checklist and deadlines;
- recommendations with respect to other professional advisors;
- resource guide with contact information for taxing authorities, and
- a calendar for initial year operations.
Formation of a domestic nonprofit corporation engaged in charitable, educational, religious, or other similar activities is an organization’s first step. To also obtain federal and state tax-exempt status from income tax, the organization must qualify as a public charity or private foundation under I.R.C. Section 501(c)(3) and/or enter into a fiscal sponsorship agreement with an existing tax-exempt organization with a similar purpose.
