Nonprofit Bylaws Tips and Best Practices Get help. Make them public. Don't include information that changes frequently. Tailor them. Know the difference between “shall” and “may” ... Don't be too ambitious. Review them regularly. Name and purpose.
Nonprofit bylaws (aka bylaws and articles of organization) explain how your organization operates. These rules explain the election process for board members, board meeting guidelines and frequency, compensation disclosures, indemnity clauses, and more. Simply put, it's an operating manual for running your nonprofit.
Does my tax-exempt organization need to submit changes in its bylaws to the IRS? The Internal Revenue Code 501(c) (3) requires that any tax-exempt organization report changes in bylaws and other governing documents to the IRS every year using IRS Form 990.
Bylaws are a document used by an organization to establish its internal management by setting out the rules and responsibilities for shareholders, directors, and officers. The bylaws set the rules for meetings, specify voting procedures, and establish officer positions and responsibilities.
All charities that solicit in Illinois should be registered with the Office of the Attorney General. The Attorney General's Office can tell you if a charitable organization is registered and current in its reporting requirements.
Corporate bylaws are legally required in Illinois. Illinois statute §805 ILCS 5/2.20 requires that bylaws be adopted either by shareholders at the first shareholder meeting or by directors at the initial director meeting.
Illinois. The IRS lists 77,545 active tax-exempt organizations operating in Illinois, including 58,746 501(c)(3)s, to which you can make a tax-deductible donation. Illinois nonprofit organizations reported $136 billion in revenue on their most recent tax filings.
There must be at least three directors. They do not have to be Illinois residents or corporation members, but you may require these and any other qualifications you choose.
The text of these two statutes is available on the Illinois Attorney General's Web site. The Charitable Trust Act applies to all trustees that hold property in excess of $4,000 for charitable purposes. The Solicitation of Charity Act governs the solicitation and collection of charitable funds in Illinois.
Stat. § 460/4 | Effective Jan. 1, 2024, a charitable organization with annual contributions more than $500,000 must file an audited financial statement prepared by an independent CPA. A charitable organization with contributions between $300,000 and $500,000 must file a financial statement with the Attorney General.