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.
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 Big Picture Follow the steps below to start a nonprofit organization in Illinois. Pick a name. The name must be unique. Appoint a registered agent. Choose your board of directors. State your charitable purpose. File your articles of incorporation. Create bylaws.
The IRS generally requires a minimum of three board members for every nonprofit, but does not dictate board term length. What is important to remember is that board service terms aren't intended to be perpetual, and are typically one to five years.
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.
How to Write Nonprofit Bylaws in 7 Simple Steps Decide Whose Responsibility it is. Research Bylaw Requirements for Your Type of Nonprofit. Create a First Draft. Review Your Draft Internally. Manage the Scope of What's Included. Get a Professional Opinion. Review Review Review! ... Are nonprofit bylaws public record?
Steps for Finding Nonprofit Bylaws: Search IRS databases, request from the nonprofit directly, or check state nonprofit registries. Understanding Bylaws' Importance: Bylaws dictate governance, structure, and compliance for nonprofit operations.
Having a corporate seal is no longer mandatory by Illinois statute, but including this language will document the fact that the company either does or does not use a seal.
To incorporate online, the Corporation must meet the following requirements: The name must be unique. Check the name availability to ensure this. The name must include one of the following words or abbreviations: Corporation or Corp. Company or Co. Incorporated or Inc.
Corporate bylaws are a company's foundational governing document. They lay out how things should run day-to-day and the processes for making important decisions. They serve as a legal contract between the corporation and its shareholders, directors, and officers and set the protocol for how the organization operates.