How to Start a Nonprofit in South Dakota

Home to the faces of 4 American presidents on Mt. Rushmore, South Dakota has a lot to offer the nonprofit sphere. This extensive land is covered by 1.2 million acres of the Black Hills National Forest, which is considered a nonprofit organization (blackhillsbadlands.com). With around 14 million visitors per year, South Dakota is a great place for nonprofits to thrive (travelsouthdakota.com).To begin, one thing to remember about filing for incorporation in South Dakota is that you can only do so by mail, fax, or in person-- there is no online option, and there is a filing fee of $30. However, they do make it easy by providing the forms online. Here’s everything you need to know about filing the Articles of Incorporation for your South Dakota Nonprofit.

1.Name your Organization

They do not have any specific qualifications for choosing the name of your nonprofit. However, it is a good idea to search the Secretary of State business index to ensure that your name hasn’t been taken.

2. Select the Board of Directors

Your board of directors acts as the governing body of your nonprofit. South Dakota requires that you select three initial directors in order to incorporate your nonprofit. These individuals could serve in the respective roles of President, Secretary, and Treasurer.President: The President presides over board meetings and generally supervises all activities related to the nonprofit.Secretary: The Secretary maintains board meetings minutes and is responsible for communicating important information to board members.Treasurer: The Treasurer acts as the Chief Financial Officer of the nonprofit, supervising the charge and custody of all funds, maintaining adequate financial records, and filing annual tax returns on behalf of the nonprofit.

3. Select a Registered Agent

A registered agent is the bridge between your organization and the IRS. While they do not have to sign the Articles of Incorporation, it does require their name and address.

4. Define Your Purpose

Create a statement of purpose that defines your organization and shows your dedication to helping the community.

5. Select the Incorporator

Filing in South Dakota requires that you provide the name and address of one or more of the people incorporating your nonprofit organization.

A faster, easier option

Now that you have your South Dakota nonprofit corporation, you can use your state information and federal EIN to open a bank account for your nonprofit. However, setting up your nonprofit in South Dakota is just part of the process of becoming a formal tax-exempt organization. The next step is to file for a federal tax exemption using either IRS form 1023 or 1023-EZ.If you’re looking for a faster, easier way to go through these processes, look no further than ExemptMeNow. We take the frustration and anxiety out of the incorporation and tax-exemption processes by offering an easy-to-use, streamlined online platform. The average nonprofit takes over 100 hours to start, but we can help you reduce that time by up to 90% (and save money on professional fees and costly mistakes).Ready to get started? Sign up for a free account and get ready to incorporate your South Dakota nonprofit today!