Maine Nonprofit Articles of Incorporation

Nonprofit articles of incorporation is the document filed to create a Maine 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 Maine Facts

As you are preparing to incorporate, keep in mind the following requirements specific to Maine, keep in mind:

Maine Directors

• Number: minimum 3
• Qualifications: None. No residency requirement. No membership requirement.
• Term: 1 year
• Quorum: majority
• Committee: minimum 2 directors on the executive committee; no minimum on other committees

Maine Officers

• A president, a secretary or clerk, a treasurer and such other officers and assistant officers as may be deemed necessary
• Term: 1 year
• Two or more offices may be held by the same individual.

Maine Members

• Members: optional
• Annual meeting: required
• Quorum: 1/10th votes