Form Your Rhode Island Nonprofit Corporation
Launch your mission in the Ocean State with a low $35 filing fee, fast online processing, and a clear path to 501(c)(3) federal tax-exempt status
Filed in Rhode Island
The Ocean State · RI
- State filing fee$35
- Processing time1-2 business days online; longer by mail
- Our formation feeFree (you pay $100 if you choose a paid plan)
- Annual report$20/year (nonprofit annual report) — due June 1 - June 30 annually
- State tax rate7% flat corporate income tax
Form your Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island Nonprofit
Free formation means you pay only the $35 state filing fee. All core services are included at no extra charge.
Articles of Incorporation (Domestic Non-Profit Corporation) filing
We prepare and submit your Articles of Incorporation (Domestic Non-Profit Corporation) to the Rhode Island Secretary of State.
Registered agent
Required in Rhode Island — 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 Rhode Island
Rhode Island is a welcoming home for mission-driven nonprofits, pairing a low $35 incorporation fee with access to New England's grant ecosystem, the Greater Boston region, and the talent pipelines of Brown University and RISD. The state's dense network of healthcare, education, arts, and social-service organizations makes it well suited to charitable, educational, and community-focused 501(c)(3) corporations.
501(c)(3) eligibility means tax-deductible donations for your supporters and grant eligibility
Federal income tax exemption once the IRS approves your 501(c)(3) application
Limited liability protection for directors, officers, and members
Low $35 state filing fee — among the most affordable in New England
Perpetual existence independent of any single founder or board member
Access to New England markets, RISD/Brown talent, and the Greater Boston region
Eligibility for federal, state, and private foundation grants restricted to nonprofits
Enhanced public credibility from formal incorporation and registered charity status
Key features of a Rhode Island Nonprofit
- Low $35 state filing fee with 1-2 business day online processing
- Minimum of 3 directors required to form the board
- Eligible for 501(c)(3) status and tax-deductible donations
- Federal income tax exemption once the IRS approves 501(c)(3)
- $20 annual nonprofit report keeps the corporation in good standing
- Access to Boston, New England markets, and RISD/Brown talent
Major industries in Rhode Island
Form your Rhode Island Nonprofit in 6 steps
We handle every step while you stay in the loop. Processing takes 1-2 business days online; longer by mail.
- 01
Choose Your Nonprofit Name
Your name must be distinguishable from existing Rhode Island entities. Check availability through the Rhode Island Secretary of State's business name search before filing.
- 02
Appoint Directors and a Registered Agent
Rhode Island requires a minimum of 3 directors. You must also appoint a registered agent with a physical Rhode Island address to receive legal documents on behalf of the corporation.
- 03
File Articles of Incorporation
Submit Articles of Incorporation for a Domestic Non-Profit Corporation to the Rhode Island Secretary of State. The filing fee is $35, and online filing typically processes in 1-2 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. The IRS expects both when reviewing your 501(c)(3) application.
- 05
Obtain an EIN and Apply for 501(c)(3) Status
Get a free EIN from the IRS, then file Form 1023-EZ ($275, for smaller orgs) or full Form 1023 ($600) to apply for federal tax-exempt status. This is a separate federal step from your state incorporation.
- 06
Register for State Exemption and Charitable Solicitation
After IRS approval, apply for Rhode Island tax exemption and register for charitable solicitation before fundraising. File the $20 nonprofit annual report each June to stay in good standing.
Rhode Island Nonprofit costs at a glance
Kicker formation is free — you pay only the required state fees. No hidden charges.
Rhode Island Nonprofit requirements checklist
Everything you need to form and maintain a Rhode Island Nonprofit in 2026.
- File Articles of Incorporation with the RI Secretary of State ($35)
- Appoint a board of at least 3 directors
- Appoint a registered agent with a physical Rhode Island address
- Adopt corporate bylaws and a conflict-of-interest policy
- Obtain an EIN from the IRS
- Apply for 501(c)(3) federal tax-exempt status (Form 1023-EZ or 1023)
- File the nonprofit annual report each June ($20) and register for charitable solicitation
Filing information
- Formation document
- Articles of Incorporation (Domestic Non-Profit Corporation)
- Filing agency
- Rhode Island Secretary of State
- Registered agent
- Required
- Bylaws
- Recommended
- EIN
- Required
- Name reservation fee
- $50 (120 days)
Free formation — pay only the state fee
Kicker formation is free. You pay the $35 Rhode Island state filing fee and nothing more for the Starter plan. Optional plans add registered agent, EIN, bylaws, and compliance.
Starter
- Articles of Incorporation (Domestic Non-Profit Corporation) filing
- Name availability check
- Digital document delivery
- Formation status tracking
Booster
- Everything in Starter
- Registered agent (required in Rhode Island)
- 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.
Rhode Island Nonprofit questions, answered
Common questions about forming an Nonprofit in Rhode Island. Can't find an answer? Talk to our team.
How much does it cost to form a nonprofit in Rhode Island?
The state filing fee for Articles of Incorporation is $35. Separately, applying for 501(c)(3) status with the IRS costs $275 (Form 1023-EZ) or $600 (full Form 1023).
How long does it take to form a Rhode Island nonprofit?
The Rhode Island Secretary of State typically processes online filings in 1-2 business days; mail filings take longer. IRS 501(c)(3) approval is a separate step that takes roughly 2-4 weeks for Form 1023-EZ or 3-6 months for the full Form 1023.
How many directors does a Rhode Island nonprofit need?
Rhode Island requires a minimum of 3 directors. The IRS prefers directors who are unrelated to one another, which strengthens your 501(c)(3) application and supports good governance.
Does forming the nonprofit make it tax-exempt?
No. Filing Articles of Incorporation creates the corporation at the state level, but federal tax exemption requires a separate IRS 501(c)(3) application. Rhode Island state tax exemption and charitable-solicitation registration are also separate steps after IRS approval.
What ongoing filings does a Rhode Island nonprofit have?
Rhode Island nonprofits file an annual report each year between June 1 and June 30 for a $20 fee. Tax-exempt nonprofits also file an annual IRS Form 990, and charities must keep their solicitation registration current.
Do I have to file a BOI report for my Rhode Island nonprofit?
No. Under FinCEN's March 2025 interim final rule, US domestic entities and US persons are exempt from Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting. Only foreign-formed entities registered to do business in a US state still file.
What is the difference between Form 1023-EZ and Form 1023?
Form 1023-EZ ($275) is the streamlined application for smaller organizations with gross receipts of $50,000 or less per year and assets of $250,000 or less. Larger nonprofits must file the full Form 1023 ($600), which the IRS reviews in roughly 3-6 months.
Does Rhode Island tax nonprofit corporations?
Rhode Island levies a 7% flat corporate income tax and a 7% sales tax, but an approved 501(c)(3) with Rhode Island tax exemption is generally exempt from corporate income tax on related activity. The $400 annual minimum tax applies to for-profit entities like LLCs, not to exempt nonprofits.
Rhode Island government filing resources
Filing fees for common Nonprofit services
Official Rhode Island state charges for the filings you may need after formation — our service fee is separate, and we confirm the current amount before filing.
$50.00 for both business corporations and LLCs (same fee across entity types).
Fee varies by entity type: for-profit/all other entities $10 base + $0.15 per page.
$5 per document by mail or in person.
Rhode Island does not publish a flat reinstatement fee or a standardized downloadable reinstatement form for nonprofits.
Learn moreEverything you need to run your Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island Nonprofit?
Formation is free — you pay only the $35 Rhode Island state filing fee. Personal-asset protection, pass-through taxation, and a complete document package, filed in 1-2 business days online; longer by mail.
No hidden fees · 100% accuracy guarantee · 30-day money back · All 50 states