Free Nonprofit Starter Kit
Your name has to clear three checks
Before you fall in love with a name, make sure you can actually use it. A nonprofit name has to clear three separate places, and they don't talk to each other.
- Your state: the name must be available in your Secretary of State's business-entity database.
- Trademark: a federally registered mark can block you even if your state says the name is free.
- The web: a matching domain and social handles make you findable and fundable.
Is your name clear?
Run these checks. A "no" means keep looking before you file:
Name check
- It's available in your state's business-entity search.
- A quick USPTO trademark search turns up no confusingly similar mark.
- The .org domain (or a close match) is available.
- It doesn't imply a government affiliation or copy another organization's brand.
- It still fits if your mission grows beyond today's focus.
Your mission, and the IRS purpose clause
Two different things, both worth getting right early:
- Your mission statement: one or two plain sentences: who you serve, what you do, and the change you're after. Short enough to say out loud.
- Your IRS purpose clause: specific language the IRS requires in your Articles, stating your exempt purpose and what happens to assets if you dissolve. Getting it wrong slows your application.
The Nonprofit Formation writes the purpose and dissolution clauses for you, matched to your state and mission.
Name locked in?
The Nonprofit Formation turns your name and mission into state-specific Articles with the exact IRS language. Part of the Formation Suite.
Start the Nonprofit Formation →
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