Skip to main content

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Forming a Nonprofit

To form a nonprofit organization in Iowa, there are a few steps to take in order to become registered.

First, to become an incorporated non-profit, you will file your Articles of Incorporation with the Iowa Secretary of State's office. There are minimum requirements provided in Iowa Code § 504.202 of what must be included in your Articles, such as:

  • The corporate name, satisfying the requirements in Iowa Code § 504.401
  • The address of the corporation's initial registered office and the name of its registered agent in that office.
  • The name and address of each incorporator
  • Whether the corporation will have members or not.
  • Provisions not inconsistent with law regarding the distribution of assets upon dissolution.
  • Signature of an incorporator as listed with their title.
  • The filing fee pursuant to Iowa Code section § 504.113.

The filing fee for a domestic non-profit corporation is $20. This filing can be done through our Fast Track Filing system online or by mailing it with a check.

Resources for Non-profits in Iowa

The Larned A. Waterman Iowa Nonprofit Resource Center

The University of Iowa's Larned A. Waterman Nonprofit Resource Center was specifically designed to serve nonprofit organizations.

The University of Iowa's Larned A. Waterman Iowa Nonprofit Resource Center provides the Iowa Principles and Practices for Charitable Nonprofit Excellence as a resource for nonprofit organizations. This document contains helpful information, and as stated in the Preamble, "the purpose of the Iowa Principles and Practices for Charitable Nonprofit Excellence is to promote good management practices, ethical conduct, and public accountability for Iowa charitable nonprofit organizations as they perform their crucial community services."

Please know that this is not a regulatory document but is meant to be helpful to a variety of nonprofit organizations, and specifically for 501(c)(3) organizations.

Tax Information

Forms: