How to File the Articles of Incorporation for an Oregon Nonprofit

Last Updated: June 30, 2023 By TRUiC Team

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

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

What is covered in this guide:

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

Information you will need to file the Oregon Articles of Incorporation

To become a nonprofit corporation in Oregon you must file the Articles of Incorporation - Nonprofit form with the Oregon Secretary of State.

Here are the sections that you will need to complete.

Section 1: 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 Oregon nonprofit.

Section 2: Registered Agent

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

Enter the name of the registered agent you have selected.

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

Section 3: Registered Agent's Address

Enter the street address of the registered agent you selected.

Section 4: Mailing Address

Enter the mailing address for your nonprofit.

Section 5: Corporation Type

Select the appropriate box to indicate the correct organization type for your nonprofit: public benefit, mutual benefit, or religious.

Section 6: Membership

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

Section 7: Distribution of Assets

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.

Write “See Attached” in section 7 and then be sure to attach ‘Article 7 - Public Benefit 501(c)(3) Information’ (last page of the Articles of Incorporation PDF) to your articles of incorporation.

Section 8: Optional Provisions

Check the box to indicate you are attaching additional provisions.

The additional provision should explicitly state the purpose of your organization.

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.

Section 9: 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. Provide the name and address of each incorporator.

Section 10: Initial President

Enter the name and address of your nonprofit’s initial president.

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 president selected.

Section 11: Initial Secretary

Enter the name and address of your nonprofit’s initial secretary.

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 secretary selected.

Section 12: Execution

When the incorporators sign and date the form they are affirming everything written in the form. They are also affirming that the registered agent listed has already consented to be the registered agent for this nonprofit organization.