How to File the Articles of Incorporation for a Maine Nonprofit

Last Updated: November 21, 2023 By TRUiC Team

Filing the Articles of Incorporation is a critical step in starting a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit in Maine. 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 Maine. 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 Maine is easy, just follow these easy steps to file the Maine Articles of Incorporation:

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

What is covered in this guide:

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

Information you will need to file the Maine Articles of Incorporation

To become a nonprofit corporation in Maine you must file Form MNPCA-6 (D), the Domestic Nonprofit Corporation Articles of Incorporation.

Here are the sections that you will need to complete.

First: Entity Name

Enter the name you have selected.

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

Second: Purpose

Select ONE box only to indicate if your nonprofit is a public benefit or mutual benefit corporation. Then, fill in the box to accurately describe your nonprofit’s purpose.

In order to qualify for 501(c)(3) status, your organization must be a public benefit corporation and its 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 to learn more.

Third: Registered Agent & Registered Office

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

Select the appropriate box to indicate if you are utilizing a commercial or noncommercial registered agent and then enter the information of the registered agent you have selected.

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

Fourth: Consent

This section includes a statement verifying your registered agent has consented to serve your nonprofit. No action is required.

Fifth: Directors

Fill-in-the-blanks regarding the number of directors selected.

Sixth: Membership

Select the appropriate box depending on whether or not your nonprofit corporation plans to have members.

Seventh: Optional Article

Select the box to indicate whether the article applies to your organization.

Eighth: Optional Article

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.

Incorporator(s)

The incorporator is the person who completes, signs, and submits the certification of formation. This person does not need to be a part of your organization. This can be you or a lawyer helping you with the process of formation. Have each incorporator include their name, address, and signature.

Corporate Incorporator

Only fill this section out if your incorporator is a corporation. Follow the instructions at the bottom of the page.

Filer Contact Cover Letter

Fill out the entire cover letter, including the entity name, type of filing, handling request, and contact information.

How to file the Maine Articles of Incorporation

You must submit your Articles of Incorporation and contact cover letter by mail.

Submit the Articles of Incorporation and cover letter to the mailing address below:

Department of the Secretary of State
Division of Corporations, UCC and Commissions
101 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0101

The filing fee is $40.

Checks and money orders must be made payable to the "Maine Secretary of State"
Accepted credit cards for the Credit Card Payment Voucher include Visa, Discover, MasterCard, and American Express.

Maine Nonprofit Formation FAQ

How long does it take to process Form MNPCA-6(D)?

Standard processing time is 5-10 business days. When completing your cover sheet, you can select their 24-hour service ($50 additional filing fee) or their immediate service ($100 additional filing fee).

How do I contact the Secretary of State for more information?

You can call for information at (207) 624-7752 or visit them at their website.