Form Your Minnesota Nonprofit Corporation
Launch your mission in the North Star State with a $90 filing fee, free annual renewals, and a clear path to 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
Filed in Minnesota
The North Star State · MN
- State filing fee$90
- Processing timeImmediate online/in-person; ~11-12 business days by mail ($70)
- Our formation feeFree (you pay $100 if you choose a paid plan)
- Annual report$0 (annual renewal, no fee) — due December 31st annually
- State tax rate9.8% corporate income tax
- Expedited optionSame day (in-person) (+$20)
Form your Minnesota Nonprofit — pay only the state filing fee, nothing more.
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Everything to launch your Minnesota Nonprofit
Free formation means you pay only the $90 state filing fee. All core services are included at no extra charge.
Articles of Incorporation (Nonprofit Corporation, Chapter 317A) filing
We prepare and submit your Articles of Incorporation (Nonprofit Corporation, Chapter 317A) to the Minnesota Secretary of State.
Registered agent
Required in Minnesota — 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 Minnesota
Minnesota is one of the most philanthropically generous states in the nation, with a deep network of foundations, corporate giving programs, and a highly educated, civically engaged population that fuels nonprofit growth. Combined with free annual renewals and immediate online incorporation, the North Star State offers nonprofits a low-cost, high-support environment to build mission-driven organizations.
Eligible for 501(c)(3) federal tax-exempt status after IRS approval
Donations become tax-deductible for your supporters once 501(c)(3) is granted
Free annual renewal in Minnesota ($0 ongoing state cost)
Limited liability protection for directors, officers, and members
Access to grants and foundation funding reserved for nonprofits
World-class healthcare, education, and philanthropic ecosystem
Highly educated, civically engaged Minnesota volunteer base
Perpetual existence independent of any founder or board member
Key features of a Minnesota Nonprofit
- $90 state filing fee, immediate online filing
- Free annual renewal ($0 ongoing state cost)
- Minimum of 3 directors required
- Path to 501(c)(3) federal tax exemption
- Strong philanthropic and grant-funding ecosystem
Major industries in Minnesota
Form your Minnesota Nonprofit in 6 steps
We handle every step while you stay in the loop. Processing takes Immediate online/in-person; ~11-12 business days by mail ($70).
- 01
Choose Your Nonprofit Name
Your name must be distinguishable from existing Minnesota entities. Check availability through the Minnesota Secretary of State business name search before filing.
- 02
Appoint Your Board of Directors
Minnesota requires a minimum of 3 directors. For 501(c)(3) eligibility, a board of unrelated directors is strongly recommended to satisfy IRS governance expectations.
- 03
File Articles of Incorporation
Submit nonprofit Articles of Incorporation (Chapter 317A) to the Minnesota Secretary of State. The filing fee is $90. Include IRS-required tax-exempt purpose and dissolution clauses.
- 04
Adopt Bylaws & Conflict-of-Interest Policy
Hold an organizational meeting to adopt corporate bylaws and a conflict-of-interest policy, elect officers, and approve initial resolutions. These are required for your IRS application.
- 05
Obtain an EIN & Apply for 501(c)(3)
Get a free EIN from the IRS, then file Form 1023-EZ ($275, for small orgs) or full Form 1023 ($600) to apply for federal tax-exempt status. This is a separate federal step.
- 06
Register for State Exemption & Charitable Solicitation
Apply for Minnesota tax exemptions through the Department of Revenue and register to solicit charitable donations with the Minnesota Attorney General, then file your free annual renewal.
Minnesota Nonprofit costs at a glance
Kicker formation is free — you pay only the required state fees. No hidden charges.
Minnesota Nonprofit requirements checklist
Everything you need to form and maintain a Minnesota Nonprofit in 2026.
- File nonprofit Articles of Incorporation with the Minnesota Secretary of State ($90)
- Appoint a board of at least 3 directors
- Adopt corporate bylaws and a conflict-of-interest policy
- Obtain an EIN from the IRS
- Apply for 501(c)(3) status with IRS Form 1023-EZ or Form 1023 (separate federal step)
- Register for Minnesota charitable solicitation with the Attorney General
- File a free annual renewal with the Secretary of State by December 31st
Filing information
- Formation document
- Articles of Incorporation (Nonprofit Corporation, Chapter 317A)
- Filing agency
- Minnesota Secretary of State
- Registered agent
- Required
- Bylaws
- Recommended
- EIN
- Required
- Name reservation fee
- $55 (12 months)
Free formation — pay only the state fee
Kicker formation is free. You pay the $90 Minnesota state filing fee and nothing more for the Starter plan. Optional plans add registered agent, EIN, bylaws, and compliance.
Starter
- Articles of Incorporation (Nonprofit Corporation, Chapter 317A) filing
- Name availability check
- Digital document delivery
- Formation status tracking
Booster
- Everything in Starter
- Registered agent (required in Minnesota)
- 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.
Minnesota Nonprofit questions, answered
Common questions about forming an Nonprofit in Minnesota. Can't find an answer? Talk to our team.
How much does it cost to form a nonprofit in Minnesota?
The Minnesota Secretary of State filing fee for nonprofit Articles of Incorporation is $90 online or in person ($70 by mail). Separately, the IRS charges $275 for Form 1023-EZ or $600 for the full Form 1023 to obtain 501(c)(3) status. Minnesota's annual renewal is free ($0).
How long does it take to form a Minnesota nonprofit?
Online and in-person filings with the Minnesota Secretary of State are processed immediately, while mail filings take about 11-12 business days. The separate IRS 501(c)(3) review takes roughly 2-4 weeks for Form 1023-EZ or 3-6 months for the full Form 1023.
How many directors does a Minnesota nonprofit need?
Minnesota requires a minimum of 3 directors on the board. For 501(c)(3) eligibility, the IRS expects a majority of unrelated directors to demonstrate independent governance.
Is forming the nonprofit the same as getting 501(c)(3) status?
No. Filing Articles of Incorporation with the Minnesota Secretary of State creates the nonprofit corporation under state law. Federal 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status is a separate step that requires filing IRS Form 1023-EZ or Form 1023 after you incorporate and obtain an EIN.
Does Minnesota charge an annual report fee for nonprofits?
No. Minnesota nonprofits file a free annual renewal with the Secretary of State by December 31st each year, with no fee. This keeps ongoing state compliance very affordable.
Do Minnesota nonprofits pay state taxes?
Minnesota's corporate income tax rate is 9.8% and sales tax is 6.875%, but qualifying nonprofits can apply to the Department of Revenue for income and sales tax exemptions. State tax exemption is separate from your IRS 501(c)(3) determination and must be requested in Minnesota.
Does my Minnesota nonprofit need to file a BOI report?
No. Under FinCEN's March 2025 interim final rule, domestic U.S. entities and U.S. persons are exempt from Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting. Only foreign-formed entities registered in a U.S. state are still required to file.
What ongoing IRS filings does a 501(c)(3) require?
After receiving 501(c)(3) status, your nonprofit must file an annual IRS Form 990 (or 990-EZ/990-N depending on size) to maintain tax-exempt status. Minnesota nonprofits also renew their charitable solicitation registration with the Attorney General as required.
Minnesota government filing resources
Filing fees for common Nonprofit services
Official Minnesota state charges for the filings you may need after formation — our service fee is separate, and we confirm the current amount before filing.
Name Reservation - Original Filing: $35.00 by mail / $55.00 in-person or online.
Fee is flat and does NOT vary by entity type: $5.00 mail/in-person, $15.00 online.
Learn moreMinnesota charges per filing (not per page).
$5.00 per apostille certificate and $5.00 per authentication certificate.
$50 to file the Foreign Nonprofit Corporation Certificate of Authority by mail with the Minnesota Secretary of State.
Learn moreNo fee to register for a Minnesota Tax ID Number and Sales and Use Tax account with the Dept.
Learn more$35 to file an Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation with the Minnesota Secretary of State by mail.
Learn moreThere is no fee to file the annual renewal if the nonprofit is active/in good standing.
Learn more$35 to file nonprofit Articles of Dissolution by mail with the Minnesota Secretary of State ($55 for expedited in-person or online filing).
Learn moreEverything you need to run your Minnesota Nonprofit
Formation is the first step — stay compliant and operational with these services.
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Ready to form your Minnesota Nonprofit?
Formation is free — you pay only the $90 Minnesota state filing fee. Personal-asset protection, pass-through taxation, and a complete document package, filed in Immediate online/in-person; ~11-12 business days by mail ($70).
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