How to File the Articles of Incorporation for an Alaska Nonprofit

Last Updated: September 22, 2022 By TRUiC Team

Filing the Articles of Incorporation is a critical step in starting a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit in Alaska. Whether you have been running a charity for a while or are just starting out, your nonprofit organization will need to fill out the Articles of Incorporation and file them with the State of Alaska. This will allow you to file for 501(c)(3) status and reap the benefits of having an official 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

Want to form a nonprofit elsewhere? Check out our other How to Start a Nonprofit guides.

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Starting a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Alaska is easy, just follow these easy steps to file the Alaska Articles of Incorporation:

If you are starting a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Alaska, you have come to the right place. After reading the comprehensive guide for Alaska nonprofit formation, follow this guide to file the Alaska Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State.

What is covered in this guide:

Information you will need to file the Alaska Articles of Incorporation
How to file the Alaska Articles of Incorporation
Alaska Nonprofit Formation FAQ

Information you will need to file the Alaska Articles of Incorporation

To become a nonprofit corporation in Alaska you must file Form 08-438, the Articles of Incorporation for a Domestic Nonprofit Corporation.

Here are the sections that you will need to complete.

Article 1: Name of Corporation

Enter the name you have selected.

For help with selecting a name for your nonprofit read our comprehensive guide on how to name an Alaska nonprofit.

Article 2: Disclosure of Corporate Purposes

Describe the purpose of your nonprofit organization. Nonprofit organizations should also include NAICS code(s) where applicable. The State of Alaska provides a list of recognized NAICS codes.

In order to qualify for 501(c)(3) status, the organization’s purpose must explicitly be limited to one or more of the following:

Charitable
Religious
Scientific
Literary
Testing for public safety
Fostering national/international amateur sports competition
Preventing cruelty to animals/children

NOTE: You can read the IRS guidelines on their website.

Article 3: Registered Agent & Registered Office

The registered agent can be any entity registered to do business in Alaska or any person who is a resident of the state. Your organization cannot act as its own registered agent.

Any person you designate as the registered agent must have explicitly consented to act as the registered agent for your organization even though you do not need to include proof of consent with your Form 08-438.

For more information read our guide: What is a registered agent? and The Alaska Registered Agent Guide.

Article 4: Directors

At least 3 directors will need to be named.

When filling the form do not use any prefixes such as “Mr.” or “Ms.” and only use the suffix box for titles of lineage such as ‘Jr.’, ‘Sr.’, or ‘III’ but not for designations such as M.D. or Ph.D.

Since this document will become public record you may want to use a post office box address rather than the residential addresses of the directors to maintain privacy.

Enter the information of the directors selected.

Article 5: Supplemental Provisions/Information

Use this section of the articles of formation to formally state what the assets of the organization will be used for, and what will happen to the assets if the organization is dissolved.

To be eligible for 501(c)(3) status, you must convince the IRS that the organization’s assets will always only be used for the purposes approved under 501(c)(3) rules. To this end, you must include provisions ensuring that in the event your organization is dissolved, the assets of the organization will be used towards tax-exempt purposes.

Section 5 of this sample document provides an example of these provisions required for 501(c)(3) eligibility.

Signatures

Include the signature and printed names of at least 3 incorporators who are over the age of 19.

How to file the Alaska Articles of Incorporation

There are two ways to submit your Articles of Incorporation one of two ways:

Online:

File the Articles of Incorporation through the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development's online application.

By Mail:

Submit the Articles of Incorporation to the mailing address below:

State of Alaska Corporations Section
P.O. Box 110806
Juneau, AK 99811-0806

The filing fee is $50.

Checks and money orders for mailed forms must be made payable to the "State of Alaska"
Accepted credit cards for both online and mail filing include Visa, Discover, MasterCard, and American Express