Form Your Illinois Nonprofit Corporation
Launch your mission in the Prairie State with a low $50 state fee, a clear path to 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, and Chicago's powerful philanthropic ecosystem
Filed in Illinois
The Prairie State · IL
- State filing fee$50
- Processing time5-10 business days (online)
- Our formation feeFree (you pay $100 if you choose a paid plan)
- Annual report$10/year annual report — due Before the first day of anniversary month
- State tax rate9.5% corporate income tax
- Expedited option1 business day (24-hour service) (+$100)
Form your Illinois Nonprofit — pay only the state filing fee, nothing more.
- Encrypted storage
- 256-bit SSL
- All 50 states
- 30-day money-back
Everything to launch your Illinois Nonprofit
Free formation means you pay only the $50 state filing fee. All core services are included at no extra charge.
Articles of Incorporation (Form NFP 102.10) filing
We prepare and submit your Articles of Incorporation (Form NFP 102.10) to the Illinois Secretary of State.
Registered agent
Required in Illinois — we act as your agent for the first year.
EIN from the IRS
Your federal Tax ID — required to open a US business bank account and file taxes.
Bylaws
Professionally drafted bylaws — defines ownership, voting, and profit splits.
Benefits of forming an Nonprofit in Illinois
Illinois pairs a low $50 incorporation fee with Chicago's deep philanthropic community, major foundations, and a large donor base, making it a strategic home for mission-driven organizations. While the state's corporate income tax reaches 9.5%, approved 501(c)(3) nonprofits are exempt from federal income tax and can pursue Illinois tax exemptions, so the central location and grant ecosystem outweigh the tax burden.
Eligible for 501(c)(3) federal tax-exempt status once approved by the IRS
Donations become tax-deductible for your supporters, boosting fundraising
Low $50 state incorporation fee and an affordable $10/year annual report
Access to grants and foundation funding reserved for tax-exempt organizations
Personal liability protection for directors, officers, and members
Chicago's deep philanthropic community and major foundation presence
Central US location with world-class transportation for statewide and national programs
Perpetual existence so the mission continues beyond its founders
Key features of a Illinois Nonprofit
- Low $50 state incorporation fee with the Illinois Secretary of State
- Minimum of 3 directors required under the Illinois NFP Corporation Act
- Pathway to 501(c)(3) status and tax-deductible donations
- Affordable $10/year annual report keeps the entity in good standing
- Chicago's global philanthropic and foundation ecosystem
- State charitable-solicitation and tax-exemption steps handled separately from the IRS
Major industries in Illinois
Form your Illinois Nonprofit in 6 steps
We handle every step while you stay in the loop. Processing takes 5-10 business days (online).
- 01
Choose Your Nonprofit Name
Your name must be distinguishable from other Illinois entities. Search the Illinois Secretary of State's database to verify availability before filing.
- 02
Appoint a Board and Registered Agent
Illinois requires a minimum of 3 directors and a registered agent with a physical address in the state to accept legal documents for your nonprofit.
- 03
File Articles of Incorporation
Submit Form NFP 102.10 to the Illinois Secretary of State. The filing fee is $50, and online processing typically takes 5-10 business days.
- 04
Adopt Bylaws and a Conflict-of-Interest Policy
Hold an organizational meeting to adopt corporate bylaws and a conflict-of-interest policy. These are required to qualify for IRS 501(c)(3) status.
- 05
Obtain an EIN and Apply for 501(c)(3)
Apply for a free EIN from the IRS, then file Form 1023-EZ ($275) or full Form 1023 ($600) for federal tax-exempt status. IRS processing runs ~2-4 weeks for 1023-EZ or ~3-6 months for the full 1023.
- 06
Register for State Exemption and Charitable Solicitation
Register with the Illinois Attorney General's Charitable Trust Bureau before soliciting donations and apply separately for Illinois tax exemptions. File your $10 annual report each year to stay in good standing.
Illinois Nonprofit costs at a glance
Kicker formation is free — you pay only the required state fees. No hidden charges.
Illinois Nonprofit requirements checklist
Everything you need to form and maintain a Illinois Nonprofit in 2026.
- File Articles of Incorporation (Form NFP 102.10) with the Illinois Secretary of State
- Appoint a board of at least 3 directors
- Appoint a registered agent with a physical Illinois address
- Adopt corporate bylaws and a conflict-of-interest policy
- Obtain an EIN and apply for IRS 501(c)(3) status (Form 1023-EZ or 1023)
- Register with the Illinois Attorney General before soliciting donations
- File the $10 annual report before your anniversary month each year
Filing information
- Formation document
- Articles of Incorporation (Form NFP 102.10)
- Filing agency
- Illinois Secretary of State
- Registered agent
- Required
- Bylaws
- Recommended
- EIN
- Required
- Name reservation fee
- $25 (90 days)
Free formation — pay only the state fee
Kicker formation is free. You pay the $50 Illinois state filing fee and nothing more for the Starter plan. Optional plans add registered agent, EIN, bylaws, and compliance.
Starter
- Articles of Incorporation (Form NFP 102.10) filing
- Name availability check
- Digital document delivery
- Formation status tracking
Booster
- Everything in Starter
- Registered agent (required in Illinois)
- EIN / Federal Tax ID
- Expedited processing (1–2 days)
- Bylaws
- Priority support
- Kicker Voice — 3-day free trial
- Kicker Pay — free for 15 days
Founder
- Everything in Booster
- Business mailing address
- Bookkeeping — 3 months free
- Dedicated account manager
- Rush processing
- Kicker Voice — 6-day free trial
- Kicker Pay — free for 30 days
Kicker
- Everything in Founder
- ITIN filing & preparation
- Same-day priority processing
- 2nd year annual filing $0
- Kicker Voice 12-day + Kicker Pay 60 days free
Compare all plans on our pricing page.
Illinois Nonprofit questions, answered
Common questions about forming an Nonprofit in Illinois. Can't find an answer? Talk to our team.
How much does it cost to form a nonprofit corporation in Illinois?
The state filing fee for Articles of Incorporation (Form NFP 102.10) is $50, paid to the Illinois Secretary of State. The ongoing cost is a $10 annual report. Separately, the IRS charges $275 for Form 1023-EZ or $600 for the full Form 1023 to obtain 501(c)(3) status.
How long does it take to form an Illinois nonprofit?
The Illinois Secretary of State typically processes online filings in 5-10 business days. The separate IRS 501(c)(3) application takes roughly 2-4 weeks for Form 1023-EZ or about 3-6 months for the full Form 1023.
How many directors does an Illinois nonprofit need?
Illinois requires a minimum of 3 directors under the General Not For Profit Corporation Act. The IRS prefers at least three unrelated directors to support your 501(c)(3) application, so plan your board accordingly.
Is incorporating the same as getting 501(c)(3) status?
No. Filing Articles of Incorporation with the Illinois Secretary of State creates the nonprofit at the state level. Federal 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status is a separate step handled by the IRS via Form 1023-EZ or Form 1023, and Illinois tax exemption and charitable registration are separate again.
What ongoing filings does an Illinois nonprofit have?
Illinois nonprofits file a $10 annual report with the Secretary of State before the first day of their anniversary month. Tax-exempt organizations also file IRS Form 990 each year, and charities that solicit donations must register and renew with the Illinois Attorney General's Charitable Trust Bureau.
Do Illinois nonprofits pay state taxes?
Illinois has a 9.5% combined corporate income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax, but approved 501(c)(3) nonprofits are exempt from federal income tax and can apply for Illinois income and sales tax exemptions. There is no franchise tax obligation for the nonprofit's ongoing maintenance.
Does my Illinois nonprofit have to file a BOI report?
No. Under FinCEN's March 2025 interim final rule, US-formed entities and US persons are exempt from Beneficial Ownership Information reporting. Only foreign-formed entities registered to do business in a US state still file, so a domestic Illinois nonprofit does not.
Are donations to my Illinois nonprofit tax-deductible?
Once the IRS approves your 501(c)(3) status, donations from supporters become tax-deductible. Until that approval, contributions are not deductible, which is why securing federal exemption via Form 1023-EZ or 1023 is a key step after incorporating.
Illinois government filing resources
Filing fees for common Nonprofit services
Official Illinois state charges for the filings you may need after formation — our service fee is separate, and we confirm the current amount before filing.
$25 to reserve an available name for 90 days across all entity types (LLC 1.15, BCA 4.10, NFP 104.10 each $25).
Flat per-document fee, not per-page.
$2 per document, same fee for an Apostille or a Certificate of Authentication.
No registration fee - the Illinois Dept of Revenue issues the Certificate of Registration free (the official pages describe registration with no fee.
Learn more$5 routine filing fee for a domestic or foreign not-for-profit corporation.
Learn moreThe base not-for-profit reinstatement filing fee could not be confirmed on an official Illinois SOS page (fetches to ilsos.gov were blocked.
Learn moreEverything you need to run your Illinois Nonprofit
Formation is the first step — stay compliant and operational with these services.
Form your company in any state
Pick a state to see its filing fee and processing time — then start in minutes.
Ready to form your Illinois Nonprofit?
Formation is free — you pay only the $50 Illinois state filing fee. Personal-asset protection, pass-through taxation, and a complete document package, filed in 5-10 business days (online).
No hidden fees · 100% accuracy guarantee · 30-day money back · All 50 states