Unlock the benefits of starting a non-profit corporation in the Sunshine State that will help your organization thrive. One of the main advantages of forming a nonprofit corporation in Florida is the favorable regulatory environment. Florida offers a streamlined process for nonprofits that makes it easy to get your organization up and running. Even more, Florida is known to be business-friendly, with low application fees and minimal red tape, making it an attractive option for nonprofit leaders. There are also financial benefits to forming a nonprofit organization in Florida. Florida nonprofit corporations are exempt from state income tax and sales and use tax on purchases made for charitable purposes. This significantly reduces costs for your organization and allows you to dedicate more resources to your mission. Also, forming a nonprofit organization in Florida can improve the credibility and legitimacy of your organization.
Nonprofit corporations in Florida are recognized as separate legal entities, which provides certain protections for officers and donors. This instills trust among potential supporters and partners, ultimately allowing your organization to receive more funding and support. Forming a nonprofit corporation in Florida also opens up opportunities for grants and partnerships with other nonprofits. Many funders and donors prefer to support established nonprofits because they demonstrate a commitment to long-term sustainability and accountability. By incorporating in Florida, you can have greater success in raising capital and creating strategic partnerships. Overall, forming a nonprofit in Florida offers a variety of benefits that can help your organization succeed and positively impact your community. From a favorable regulatory environment to greater economic benefits and credibility, incorporating in Florida is a smart choice for nonprofit leaders looking to make an impact.
In order to prepare and file the Articles of Incorporation with the Florida Department of State, you need to start by selecting a business name that is distinguishable on the records of the Department of State and must include the corporate designators Corporation, Incorporated, Corp., or Inc.
The next step is to appoint a Registered Agent, which is an individual or business entity responsible for receiving legal notices and documents on behalf of the corporation. The registered agent must have a physical address in Florida and be available during regular business hours. You can appoint a commercial registered agent or an individual who resides in Florida.
The Articles of Incorporation must also include the following information:
• The corporation's principal address
• The mailing address if it’s different from the main address
• The purpose of the corporation (e.g., charitable, educational, religious)
• The names and addresses of the incorporators (at least one)
• The number of directors and their names and addresses (if applicable)
• The manner in which your directors will be elected or appointed.
• The effective date in which your non-profit corporation’s existence begins
Once your Florida non-profit corporation has been approved you can obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a unique identifier assigned to the corporation by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). You will need an EIN to open a bank account, file taxes, and apply for tax-exempt status.
Depending on the nature of your non-profit corporation, you may need to obtain additional licenses and permits from the state of Florida or local authorities. For example, if you plan to solicit donations, you may need to register with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. If your FL non-profit corporation will file for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status from the IRS, you must add specific language in the Articles of Incorporation. You can check with the IRS prior to filing for the appropriate language for your specific activity. Also, if your Florida Non-profit corporation will solicit donations from a location in Florida or from people in Florida, the Solicitation of Contributions Act, requires you to register with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) and to renew annually.
OLEN can assist you with filing your Florida nonprofit corporation by contacting us at 855-653-6462.
OLEN
Business Services
