INFORMATION ON NON-PROFIT INCORPORATION IN NEBRASKA

Nebraska Secretary of State - Corporate and Business Forms

In order to form a new non-profit corporation in Nebraska, it is necessary to complete the following steps:


STEP 1 - ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION [See Section 21-1921 below]

Many states have standard "certificate of incorporation" for "articles of incorporation" forms. In Nebraska, one has to make their own. Section 21-1921 of the Nebraska State Statutes prescribe what information is to be included in the articles of incorporation.

STEP 2 - FILING WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE; FEES

After you have prepared the Articles of Incorporation, they are filed with the Corporate Division of the Secretary of State, along with the payment of fees. Send the original and one duplicate copy of the Articles to: 
                           Secretary of State
                           Corporation Division
                           Room 1301
                           State Capitol Building
                           Lincoln, NE  68509
                           phone:  402-471-4079
The check should be made payable to the Secretary of State-Nebraska. The fee is $10, plus $5 per page for the articles of incorporation.   See: Secretary of State filing fees schedule


STEP 3 - - PUBLICATION
A notice of incorporation must be published in a legal, local newspaper of general circulation for three successive weeks.

STEP 4 - FILING AFFIDAVITS OF PUBLICATION

One will need TWO affidavits of publication. Ask the newspaper to prepare these for you when the Articles are published. One copy is sent to the Secretary of State, and the second copy is kept with your own records.


STEP 5 - CORPORATE RECORD BOOK AND SEAL

Now it is time to hold organizational meetings, (record minutes, adopt by-laws, and elect officers).

STEP 6 - CORPORATE CHECKING ACCOUNT

To open a corporate checking account, it is necessary to have
1. a Federal ID number;
2. a corporate seal;
3. a corporate resolution authorizing a checking account. This resolution should be passed at the first board of directors meeting.


STEP 7 - EMPLOYERS IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (aka 'EIN')

Also referred to as the Federal tax ID number, this is issued by the IRS and is required of your business - whether you intend to have employees or not.
The IRS now has an On-Line EIN Application, a 'Non-Profit Help Line' at 877-829-5500, and a comprehensive site for non-profit organizations which have or seek to apply for tax-exempt status.

For the complete Nebraska Nonprofit Corporation Act, see: http://www.neded.org/files/assist/nonprofitcorporationact2010.pdf 

Return to Nebraska Business Assistance Center: 'Information for Non-Profits'