Michigan Nonprofit Articles of Incorporation

Nonprofit articles of incorporation is the document filed to create a Michigan 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

Agency:	Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) - Bureau of Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing - Corporations Division
Form:	Articles of Incorporation - Nonprofit
Instructions:	Michigan Nonprofit Corporation Filing Information
Filing Method:	Mail or in person. MICH-ELF filers may file by fax or e-mail.
Agency Fee:	$20 + optional $50-1,000 expedite service
Turnaround:	~5-7 business days with returned documents in ~4 weeks. ~24 hours for $50. Same day for $100. 2 hours for $500. 1 hour for $1,000. See Expedited Service Request
Law:	Michigan Compiled Laws (MCL) - Chapter 450: Corporations - Act 162 of 1982: Nonprofit Corporations Act
Notes:	Submit one original of this document. Upon filing, the document will be added to the records of the Corporations Bureau. The original will be returned to your registered office address, unless you specify otherwise. Veteran-owned nonprofits can apply to have the incorporation fee waived by following the instructions on this page.

Other Helpful Michigan Facts

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

Michigan Directors

Number: minimum 3
Qualifications: A corporation organized for purposes described in section 501(c)(3) of the internal revenue code of 1986 may include 1 or more directors on its board who are 16 or 17 years of age as long as that number does not exceed 1/2 the total number of directors required for a quorum for the transaction of business. No residency requirement. No membership requirement.
Term: next annual meeting and until successor elected and qualified
Quorum: majority
Committee: minimum 1 director

Michigan Officers

A president, a secretary, and a treasurer are required.
Two or more offices may be held by the same individual. This person may sign instruments in only one capacity when the signatures of two officers are required.

Michigan Members

Members: optional. A corporation organized upon a nonstock basis shall be organized upon a membership basis (has members) or a directorship basis (may or may not have members).
Annual meeting: required with the exception of written consent
Quorum: majority of entitled votes

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