Nonprofits
Forming a Nonprofit Forms and Fees Resources
Frequently Asked Questions 501(c)(3) Tax Status Search Iowa Corporations
Revised Iowa Nonprofit Corporation Act Nonprofit Resource Center
IRS Tax Exemptions Iowa Principles & Practices for Charitable Nonprofit Excellence

Forming A Nonprofit


Formation of a nonprofit is achieved by:

  • Filing articles of incorporation - drafting articles of incorporation and filing them with the Iowa Secretary of State to create a nonprofit. Link to minimum requirements of nonprofit articles of incorporation.

  • Receiving a certificate of acknowledgement - upon filing the articles of incorporation with the Secretary of State, a certificate of acknowledgement will be issued to the nonprofit corporation.

  • Holding an organizational meeting - after issuance of the certificate of acknowledgement, an organizational meeting is held by the board of directors to: adopt bylaws, elect officers, discuss other business.

  • Adopting bylaws - Iowa law requires the initial bylaws of a nonprofit corporation to be adopted by its board of directors.

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