Download Articles of Incorporation

ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION1
OF
[LEGAL NAME], INC2.
A [STATE] 3RELIGIOUS CORPORATION
I.
The name of this corporation is [LEGAL NAME], INC.4
II.
A.
This corporation is a religious corporation and is not organized for the private gain of any person.
5
It is organized under the Nonprofit Religious Corporation Law exclusively for religious purposes.
B.
The specific purposes for which this corporation is organized are to worship God, to promote the
interests and ministry of the Kingdom of God in the world, and to fulfill the complete calling of God for the Church
6
in outreach and discipleship.
III.
The name and address in the State of [STATE] 7of this corporation's initial agent for service of process is: [NAME
AND PHYSICAL ADDRESS OF AGENT FOR SERVICE OF PROCESS]8.
IV.
A.
This corporation is organized and operated exclusively for religious purposes within the meaning
of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
B.
No substantial part of the activities of this corporation shall consist of carrying on propaganda, or
otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the corporation shall not participate or intervene in any political
campaign (including the publishing or distribution of statements) on behalf of, or in opposition to, any candidate for
public office.9
1
Keep in mind that each state jurisdiction is slightly different in the requirements necessary for articles of
incorporation. The first place to look for examples are with the state’s Secretary of State website, which usually
contains sample articles of incorporation and details the requirements that must be included in articles
2
This should be the full legal name of the organization, such as “Vineyard of Anaheim, Inc.”
3
This is the state jurisdiction where the articles are filed, such as “California”
4
This should appear identical to the name stated in the caption
5
This statement is usually required by state law in each jurisdiction
6
Each church may have a slight variation on this description. Additional examples of specific purposes are attached
7
This is the same state jurisdiction as listed above
8
This can usually be a corporation or individual, but should be a physical address. It can’t be the same corporation
as the one named in the articles (i.e., a corporation can’t be its own agent for service of process)
9
These statements are required by the IRS, although you may see slight variations in language choice
V.
The property of this corporation is irrevocably dedicated to religious purposes and no part of the net income or
assets of the organization shall ever inure to the benefit of any director, officer, or member thereof or to the benefit
of any private person. On the dissolution or winding up of the corporation, its assets remaining after payment of, or
provision for payment of, all debts and liabilities of this corporation, shall be distributed to a nonprofit fund,
foundation, or corporation which is organized and operated exclusively for religious purposes and which has
established its tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Dated: [DATE]
[INDIVIDUAL NAME], 10Incorporator
**Additional Samples of “Specific Purposes”:
“To promote the proclamation of the gospel for the salvation of humankind, to provide shelter, nurture and spiritual
fellowship of the children of God, the maintenance of the worship of God, the preservation of truth, the promotion
of social righteousness, and the exhibition of the Kingdom of heaven.”
“To (a) operate a church and conduct church related activities to carry on the ministry of our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ and further advance his kingdom by undoing the works of the enemy, preaching and living the good news of
God’s love, discipling the nations, baptizing and teaching them to love and obey God.”
11
10
The incorporator is usually the individual who prepared the articles of incorporation. This person typically resigns
after the corporation is fully formed.
11
The idea here is not to suggest one specific purpose over another, but to give an idea of the types of things that
may be stated in the specific purpose section. It may be one sentence or multiple pages, depending on the level of
specificity we need.