Louisiana Nonprofit Articles of Incorporation
Nonprofit articles of incorporation is the document filed to create
a Louisiana nonprofit corporation.
Preparing and filing your articles of incorporation is the first step in starting your
nonprofit corporation. Approval of this document secures your corporate name and
creates the legal entity of the
nonprofit. Only after this approval can you apply for 501c, apply for fundraising licenses,
open a bank account, and otherwise conduct business.
Benefits
Incorporating provides many important benefits:
- Limits the liability of directors, officers, and shareholders
- Fulfills statutory requirements to register your organization's
name
- Is a prerequisite for applying for 501(c) tax exemption
- Provides governance and adds credibility to the business or organization
Fast Facts
Other Helpful Louisiana Facts
As you are preparing to incorporate, keep in mind the following requirements specific
to Louisiana, keep in mind:
Louisiana Directors
- Number: minimum 3. If there are less than 3 members, the minimum number of directors is equal to the minimum number of members.
- Qualifications: Natural person. No residency requirement. No membership requirement.
- Term: default is 1 year, 5 year maximum
- Quorum: majority
- Committee: minimum 2 directors
Louisiana Officers
- A president, a secretary and a treasurer, and optionally one or more vice presidents.
- The officer need not be a director.
- The treasurer may be a corporation.
- Two or more offices may be held by the same individual, but this person may only sign instruments in one capacity when the signatures of two officers are required.
Louisiana Members
- Members: Nonstock nonprofit corporations are assumed to have membership. If there are no members other than the board, then the directors are the members.
- Annual meeting: required
- Quorum: majority
Revised June 12, 2023. Complete data last reviewed June 12, 2023.