How to Start a Nonprofit in Oregon

Name availability on the registry doesn't guarantee trademark protection. If you plan to operate publicly or want to protect your name at the federal level, a separate trademark search and registration through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is worth considering.

Read more in our comprehensive Oregon business name guide.

Step 2: Appoint a registered agent

Registered agents receive service of process—such as lawsuits or legal notices—on behalf of businesses, including nonprofits. You must name your registered agent on your articles of incorporation.

Your registered agent can be an individual or a professional agent service, so long as they have a physical street address in Oregon. A P.O. box is not sufficient.

Step 3: Understand your nonprofit category

In Oregon, nonprofit corporations must fall into one of three categories.

• Public benefit: These nonprofits are organized for public or charitable purposes and include charities, social service organizations, schools, foundations, and scientific and research organizations. Your nonprofit must have 501(c)(3) status to fall into this category.
• Religious: Religious corporations serve religious purposes and can include churches and synagogues. They may have 501(c)(3) status, but it is not required.
• Mutual benefit: Mutual benefit corporations include social clubs, business leagues, veterans groups, and other organizations that don’t fall beneath the category of public benefit or religious designation.

The category your nonprofit falls into will affect the number of directors you are required to appoint. Public benefit corporations must appoint at least three directors, while mutual benefit and religious corporations must have at least one.

Directors do not need to be Oregon residents. You can list the initial directors in the articles of incorporation, or the incorporator can appoint them at the organizational meeting.

Step 4: File Oregon nonprofit articles of incorporation

Filing articles of incorporation with the Oregon Secretary of State is how your nonprofit becomes a legal entity. Until that filing is accepted, your organization cannot enter contracts, open a bank account, or accept donations in its own name.

The Oregon Secretary of State uses a standardized articles of incorporation form for nonprofits. Required fields include:

• Your corporate name
• Your corporation type
• Registered agent name and address
• Mailing address
• Whether or not the corporation will have members
• Incorporator name, address, and signature. 
• Optional: Names and addresses of initial president, secretary, and treasurer. Many banks require this to open a new account. If you plan to open a bank account immediately after incorporation, include it to avoid a delay.

If you plan to apply for 501(c)(3) status, you’ll need to include extra information, including specific language suggested by the IRS in your articles:

• Purpose clause. A statement expressly limiting the organization's activities to one or more 501(c)(3)-exempt purposes: charitable, educational, religious, scientific, or literary.
• Private inurement prohibition. A clause stating that none of the organization's earnings will benefit any private individual.
• Dissolution clause. A provision directing that, upon dissolution, assets will be distributed to another 501(c)(3) organization or to a government entity for a public purpose. You can use the IRS’ exact language to avoid any potential issues.

The cost to file your articles of incorporation with the state is $50. Once the Secretary of State accepts your articles, your nonprofit officially exists as a legal entity under Oregon law. Keep a copy of your accepted articles; you'll need them when you apply for an EIN, open a bank account, and submit your 501(c)(3) application.