How to Name a Nonprofit in Alabama

Choosing a name for your 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization is the first step in our complete guide, How to Start a Nonprofit in Alabama. One of the most important decisions any founder will make is selecting the right name. We’re here to help with our full guide to choosing, validating, and registering an Alabama nonprofit name in three easy steps.

Check out our other guides for a look at How to Start a Nonprofit Organization or How to Name a Nonprofit in other states.

Recommended: Use our Business Name Generator to brainstorm hundreds of catchy names (with available URLs) for your nonprofit.

Name Your Nonprofit in 3 Easy Steps

Naming your Alabama nonprofit is easy. Just follow these three simple steps to secure the best name for your 501(c)(3).

SKIP AHEAD
Step 1: Follow the Nonprofit Naming Rules in Alabama
Step 2: Check if Your Business Name is a Available
Step 3: Register Your Nonprofit Name

Use our 501(c)(3) Lookup Table to see if your nonprofit’s name is already in use.

Step 1: Follow the Nonprofit Naming Rules in Alabama

Corporation Name Requirements

Your Alabama nonprofit name must adhere to the guidelines laid out in Section 10A-1-5.03 and Section 10A-1-5.04 of the Business and Nonprofit Entities Code:

(a) The name of a corporation or foreign corporation must contain:

(1) the word “corporation” or “incorporated”; or

(2) an abbreviation of one of those words.

(b) Subsection (a) does not apply to a nonprofit corporation or foreign nonprofit corporation, or to banks, trust companies, savings and loan associations, or insurance companies.

(a) A domestic entity may not have a name and a foreign filing entity may not register to transact business in this state under a name that is the same as or not distinguishable on the records of the Secretary of State from:

(1) the name of another existing filing entity or a general partnership that has an effective statement of partnership, statement of not for profit partnership, or limited liability partnership under Chapter 8A;

(2) the name of a foreign filing entity that has a registration under Article 7;

(3) a name that is reserved under Division B.

(b) Subsection (a) does not apply if the other entity or the person for whom the name is reserved consents in writing to the use of a name not distinguishable on the records of the Secretary of State, and submits an undertaking in form satisfactory to the Secretary of State to change its name to a name that is distinguishable on the records of the Secretary of State from the name for which application was made.

(c) In determining whether a name is the same as or not distinguishable on the records of the Secretary of State from the name of another entity, words, phrases, or abbreviations indicating the type of entity, such as “corporation,” “corp.,” “general partnership,” “GP,” “G.P.,” “not for profit general partnership,” “NGP,” “N.G.P.,” “incorporated,” “Inc.,” “limited liability company,” “LLC,” “L.L.C.,” “limited partnership,” “LP,” “L.P.,” “Ltd.,” “limited liability limited partnership,” “LLLP,” “L.L.L.P.,” “limited liability partnership,” “LLP,” or “L.L.P.” shall not be taken into account unless waived in writing by the incumbent holder of the name.

Putting It Into Practice

Incorporating is the most common way to organize a nonprofit. While naming rules for corporations vary by state, some requirements apply nationwide. State standards in Alabama include:

  • Your corporation’s name must be unique within your state, including any reserved names.
  • Your corporation’s name can’t include any words that may imply it’s related to a government agency.
  • Your corporation’s name can’t include words like “university,” “bank,” or “trust” without the necessary permission.
  • Your nonprofit is not required to include an identifier such as “company,” “incorporated,” “limited” or any equivalent abbreviation.

If you plan to file for tax-exempt status with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), pay close attention to the wording you use in your nonprofit’s name. Any words that imply a political or lobbying affiliation may hinder your ability to file for 501(c)(3) status.

Step 2: Check If Your Business Name Is Available

After you choose one or several name options for your nonprofit, you’ll need to make sure it’s available.

Alabama Business Entity Search

To operate a nonprofit corporation in Alabama, its name must be unique. You can easily check if your chosen name is available by performing a search using the Alabama Business Entity Search tool.

Domain Name Search

We strongly recommend that you also check to see if your business name is available as a web domain (URL). Even if you don’t plan to create a business website today, you may want to buy the web address to prevent others from acquiring that domain name. It’s a free search.

Federal Trademark Search

You can easily check if someone already trademarked your chosen nonprofit name by using the federal Trademark Electronic Search System. This is important even if you don’t plan to incorporate your nonprofit right away.

Once you confirm that no one else already trademarked your chosen name, you can apply for a trademark for your nonprofit.

If you need help with getting a logo for your nonprofit, try branding your business with our Free Logo Generator! Get a unique logo in minutes and start building your nonprofit’s brand immediately.

Web and Social Media Search

A strong social media presence will play a key role in expanding your reach to potential donors or clients that will use your services. That makes it important to search the web and popular social media platforms for your desired name before registering it to ensure it’s available on all the platforms where you plan to promote your organization.

Step 3: Register Your Nonprofit Name

After you choose your nonprofit’s name and confirm its availability, the next step involves registering the organization’s name. You have a few options to achieve a name registration:

Recommended: Read our full, step-by-step guide on How to Register a Business Name in Alabama.

File for a Name Reservation

In Alabama, domestic nonprofit corporations must file for a name reservation before incorporation. Online filers can reserve their name at the time of formation, while mail-in filers must reserve their name at least two weeks prior to formation.

Beyond this requirement, reserving a name can prove beneficial — especially if you aren’t ready to incorporate but you still want to ensure the availability of your chosen name.

To file a name reservation in the State of Alabama:

  • Submit a name reservation online along with a $27 to $28 filing fee.
  • Submit a name reservation by mail along with a $25 filing fee.

Name reservations in Alabama last one year and can be renewed online along for an additional fee.

Form a Corporation

Incorporating is the most common way to organize a nonprofit and, once you select a name, it’s the next step in making your nonprofit official. Forming a corporation in Alabama involves a few easy steps:

  1. Name Your Corporation
  2. Choose a Registered Agent
  3. Choose Your Corporation’s Initial Directors and Share Structure
  4. File the Formation Documents
  5. Get an EIN

File for a DBA Name

Filing a trade name, also called a doing business as (DBA) name, in Alabama allows your nonprofit to operate using a different name than its legal registered business name. This can prove especially helpful if you want to change the name of an existing organization without filing an amendment to your Certificate of Formation.

To learn how to file a DBA or trade name in Alabama, check out our step-by-step guide.

How to Choose the Right Name for Your Nonprofit

Selecting the right name for your organization is an important task. In order to choose the name that best represents your nonprofit’s mission and purpose, we recommend following these guidelines:

  • Be specific. A nonprofit’s name should be direct and specific enough to convey its mission. Avoid using vague words or terms that could confuse donors and prospective clients about your organization’s purpose.
  • Make it memorable. Memorability is essential when selecting a name for any business. For nonprofits, selecting a name that will stick in the minds of those who come across it will not only improve your organization’s exposure among donors and volunteers but also make it easier for potential clients to find your services.
  • Keep it professional. Nonprofits rely heavily on their public image in order to attract donors or clients who may use their services — and their first impression will stem from your organization’s name. For this reason, your nonprofit needs a professional name that communicates a serious dedication to its mission and purpose.
  • Make it emotional. Whether your organization provides services for animals, displaced persons, or any other community, emotion and charity have a strong bond. Selecting a name that appeals to the emotions of both donors and clients will help build trust as well as your organization’s credibility.

Recommended: Use our Business Name Generator to help you find an available and unique name in your state.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to start a nonprofit in Alabama?

Forming a domestic nonprofit corporation in Alabama costs at least $200.

How do I incorporate a nonprofit in Alabama?

To officially incorporate a nonprofit in Alabama, you must file a Certificate of Formation with the Alabama Secretary of State. You also must complete several other essential steps before you file that formation document, which you can find in our step-by-step guide to starting a nonprofit in Alabama.

How do I find nonprofits in Alabama?

Use our handy Alabama 501(c)(3) Lookup Table to find nonprofits in Alabama. You can use this tool to see if your preferred nonprofit name is in use or not.

Related Articles