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Start Your Non-Profit Corporation

According to R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 7-6, non-profit corporations should register with the RI Department of State. Registering with our office is separate from becoming a tax exempt organization with the Internal Revenue Service. Follow the steps below to start and register your non-profit in Rhode Island.

STEP
1

Gather required information

Name of Non-Profit
Check name availability by using the Corporate Database. For more information on name availability, please visit the RI Department of State Name Availability Guidelines.

Registered Agent
A registered agent is an individual or entity that receives official and legal documents on behalf of a business.

The agent must be a Rhode Island resident or an entity qualified to do business in this state.

Registered Agent Address
A registered agent must have a Rhode Island street address and must be available at the given address during normal business hours to accept service of process. P.O. Boxes or shipping/postal company addresses do not meet this standard and are not allowed.

Non-Profit Structure
Different non-profit structures have different tax liabilities. Refer to our non-profit structures chart to learn more.

STEP
2

Register your non-profit corporation

Entity Type Online Filing Paper Filing Fee

Rhode Island Non-Profit Corporation

Starting in Rhode Island 		File Online PDF $35

Foreign Non-Profit Corporation*

Already operating outside of Rhode Island		 N/A PDF $50

Foreign non-profit corporations must first obtain a certificate of good standing from their state or country of origin, dated within 60 days of the date of filing. Use our interactive map to find out where to order the required certificate.

STEP
3

Confirm your filing

Stop
Before proceeding to Step 4, be sure to confirm your registration filing was accepted. Your filing may take between one to three business days to process.


Confirm your registration

STEP
4

Get Federal Employer Identification

Your EIN is a unique nine-digit number assigned by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to identify your non-profit.


Get Federal EIN
STEP
5

Congratulations! Download Your Welcome Packet!

Non-Profit Welcome Packet

Are you ready to start your Non-Profit?

Be sure to review our Non-Profit Basics before starting this important legal process.