Form Your Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation
Launch your mission in the Bay State with a $35 filing fee, a path to 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, and access to world-class research institutions and philanthropic funding
Filed in Massachusetts
The Bay State · MA
- State filing fee$35
- Processing time1-2 business days online; ~4-5 business days by mail
- Our formation feeFree (you pay $100 if you choose a paid plan)
- Annual report$15 annual report — due By November 1 each year
- State tax rate8% corporate excise tax
- Expedited option24 hours (+$20)
Form your Massachusetts Nonprofit — pay only the state filing fee, nothing more.
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Everything to launch your Massachusetts Nonprofit
Free formation means you pay only the $35 state filing fee. All core services are included at no extra charge.
Articles of Organization (Nonprofit Corporation, M.G.L. c. 180) filing
We prepare and submit your Articles of Organization (Nonprofit Corporation, M.G.L. c. 180) to the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Registered agent
Required in Massachusetts — 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 Massachusetts
Massachusetts is a powerhouse for mission-driven organizations, anchored by world-class research institutions, major hospitals, and one of the deepest philanthropic and grant-funding networks in the country. A nonprofit here taps into talent from Harvard and MIT, a dense community of foundations, and strong public support for science, health, education, and social-impact causes.
Form your nonprofit in the #1 biotech and research hub, ideal for science, health, and education missions
Eligibility for 501(c)(3) federal tax exemption so donors can make tax-deductible contributions
Low $15 annual report keeps Massachusetts ongoing compliance affordable
Access to talent from Harvard, MIT, and dozens of top universities for boards and volunteers
Limited liability protection shielding directors and officers from most organizational debts
Strong foundation, grant, and philanthropic funding ecosystem across the Northeast
Fast 1-2 business day online processing through the Secretary of the Commonwealth
Eligibility for grants, state contracts, and public funding reserved for incorporated nonprofits
Key features of a Massachusetts Nonprofit
- Low $35 state filing fee and $15 annual report
- Fast 1-2 business day online processing
- Path to 501(c)(3) status and tax-deductible donations
- World-class research, university, and philanthropic ecosystem
- Separate state charitable-solicitation registration required
Major industries in Massachusetts
Form your Massachusetts Nonprofit in 6 steps
We handle every step while you stay in the loop. Processing takes 1-2 business days online; ~4-5 business days by mail.
- 01
Choose Your Nonprofit Name
Pick a distinguishable name and check availability through the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth's business search. The name should reflect your charitable purpose and not conflict with existing entities.
- 02
Appoint Directors and a Board
Massachusetts requires a board of directors plus a president, treasurer, and clerk. For 501(c)(3) approval, the IRS recommends at least 3 unrelated directors to demonstrate independent governance.
- 03
File Articles of Organization
Submit your nonprofit Articles of Organization to the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth with the $35 state filing fee. Online filing typically processes in 1-2 business days; mail takes about 4-5 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 internal governance documents are required by the IRS to support your 501(c)(3) application.
- 05
Get an EIN and Apply for 501(c)(3)
Obtain a free EIN from the IRS, then file Form 1023-EZ ($275, for smaller orgs) or full Form 1023 ($600) for federal tax-exempt status. This is a separate federal step from state incorporation.
- 06
Register for State Exemption and Charitable Solicitation
Apply for Massachusetts tax exemption and register with the Attorney General's Non-Profit Organizations/Public Charities Division before soliciting donations in the state.
Massachusetts Nonprofit costs at a glance
Kicker formation is free — you pay only the required state fees. No hidden charges.
Massachusetts Nonprofit requirements checklist
Everything you need to form and maintain a Massachusetts Nonprofit in 2026.
- File nonprofit Articles of Organization with the Secretary of the Commonwealth ($35)
- Maintain a board of directors plus a president, treasurer, and clerk (3+ directors recommended for 501(c)(3))
- Adopt corporate bylaws and a conflict-of-interest policy
- Obtain an EIN from the IRS
- Apply for 501(c)(3) federal tax-exempt status via Form 1023 or 1023-EZ (separate federal step)
- Register with the Massachusetts Attorney General before soliciting charitable donations
- File the annual report by November 1 each year ($15)
Filing information
- Formation document
- Articles of Organization (Nonprofit Corporation, M.G.L. c. 180)
- Filing agency
- Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth
- Registered agent
- Required
- Bylaws
- Recommended
- EIN
- Required
- Name reservation fee
- $30 (60 days)
Free formation — pay only the state fee
Kicker formation is free. You pay the $35 Massachusetts state filing fee and nothing more for the Starter plan. Optional plans add registered agent, EIN, bylaws, and compliance.
Starter
- Articles of Organization (Nonprofit Corporation, M.G.L. c. 180) filing
- Name availability check
- Digital document delivery
- Formation status tracking
Booster
- Everything in Starter
- Registered agent (required in Massachusetts)
- 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.
Massachusetts Nonprofit questions, answered
Common questions about forming an Nonprofit in Massachusetts. Can't find an answer? Talk to our team.
How much does it cost to form a nonprofit in Massachusetts?
The state filing fee for nonprofit Articles of Organization is $35, paid to the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth. Federal 501(c)(3) application is separate and costs $275 (Form 1023-EZ) or $600 (full Form 1023). Our service fee is added on top of the state fee.
How long does Massachusetts nonprofit formation take?
Online filings with the Secretary of the Commonwealth typically process in 1-2 business days, while mail filings take about 4-5 business days. The separate IRS 501(c)(3) review takes roughly 2-4 weeks for Form 1023-EZ or about 3-6 months for the full Form 1023.
How many directors does a Massachusetts nonprofit need?
Massachusetts nonprofits must have a board of directors along with a president, treasurer, and clerk. For 501(c)(3) approval, the IRS recommends at least 3 unrelated directors to show independent governance, so a 3-person board is the practical standard.
How do we get 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status?
After incorporating with Massachusetts, you apply to the IRS for federal tax exemption. File Form 1023-EZ ($275) if your gross receipts are $50,000 or less per year and assets are $250,000 or less, otherwise file the full Form 1023 ($600). Approval lets donors deduct contributions and requires filing Form 990 annually.
What ongoing filings does a Massachusetts nonprofit have?
Massachusetts nonprofits file an annual report with the Secretary of the Commonwealth by November 1 each year, with a $15 filing fee. You must also file IRS Form 990 annually and keep your charitable-solicitation registration with the Attorney General current.
What taxes does a Massachusetts nonprofit pay?
Massachusetts levies an 8% corporate excise tax and a 6.25% sales tax on regular businesses, but a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit can apply for exemption from state corporate income and sales tax. State tax exemption is a separate application from the federal IRS step, and unrelated business income may still be taxable.
Do we have to register before asking for donations?
Yes. Before soliciting charitable donations in Massachusetts, you must register with the Attorney General's Non-Profit Organizations/Public Charities Division. This state charitable-solicitation registration is separate from both your state incorporation and your IRS 501(c)(3) application.
Does our Massachusetts nonprofit need to file a BOI report?
No. Under FinCEN's March 2025 interim final rule, U.S. domestic entities and U.S. persons are exempt from Beneficial Ownership Information reporting. Only foreign-formed entities registered to do business in a U.S. state still file, so a Massachusetts-formed nonprofit has no BOI filing obligation.
Massachusetts government filing resources
Filing fees for common Nonprofit services
Official Massachusetts state charges for the filings you may need after formation — our service fee is separate, and we confirm the current amount before filing.
$30.00 flat for all corporation/entity types.
VARIES BY ENTITY TYPE: $12 for a domestic or foreign corporation.
Learn moreVARIES BY DOCUMENT: Certified copy of Articles of Organization = $12 flat.
$6.00 per document for an apostille (Hague Convention countries) or certification/authentication (non-Hague).
$250 minimum filing fee to register an out-of-state nonprofit with the Corporations Division.
Learn moreNo fee to register as a sales/use tax vendor in Massachusetts — MassTaxConnect is DOR's free online application.
Learn more$15.00 to amend the articles of a Chapter 180 non-profit corporation.
Learn moreNo Secretary of the Commonwealth fee — Massachusetts public charities dissolve through the Attorney General’s Non-Profit/Public Charities Division.
Learn moreEverything you need to run your Massachusetts Nonprofit
Formation is the first step — stay compliant and operational with these services.
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Ready to form your Massachusetts Nonprofit?
Formation is free — you pay only the $35 Massachusetts state filing fee. Personal-asset protection, pass-through taxation, and a complete document package, filed in 1-2 business days online; ~4-5 business days by mail.
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