Form Your Virginia Nonprofit Corporation
Launch your 501(c)(3) in the Old Dominion with a low $75 state fee, immediate online filing, and unmatched proximity to D.C., federal agencies, and national funders
Filed in Virginia
The Old Dominion · VA
- State filing fee$75
- Processing timeImmediate online (CIS); same/next business day
- Our formation feeFree (you pay $100 if you choose a paid plan)
- Annual report$0 annual report + $25/yr registration fee — due Annually, by anniversary month
- State tax rate6% corporate income tax
- Expedited optionSame day (+$200)
Form your Virginia Nonprofit — pay only the state filing fee, nothing more.
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Everything to launch your Virginia Nonprofit
Free formation means you pay only the $75 state filing fee. All core services are included at no extra charge.
Articles of Incorporation (Nonstock Corporation) filing
We prepare and submit your Articles of Incorporation (Nonstock Corporation) to the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC).
Registered agent
Required in Virginia — 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 Virginia
Virginia is a strong home base for nonprofits, with immediate online incorporation through the SCC, a modest $75 filing fee, and unmatched proximity to Washington D.C., federal agencies, and national grant-making foundations. Once the IRS grants 501(c)(3) status, your organization can accept tax-deductible donations and apply for Virginia's separate sales-and-use tax exemption.
Federal 501(c)(3) status unlocks tax-deductible donations
Exemption from federal corporate income tax once IRS-approved
Eligibility for foundation and government grants
Low $75 state incorporation fee with immediate online filing
Proximity to Washington D.C., federal agencies, and national funders
No state annual report fee — only a $25/year registration fee
Limited liability protection for directors, officers, and members
Perpetual existence independent of founders or board turnover
Key features of a Virginia Nonprofit
- Low $75 state incorporation fee
- Immediate online filing via the SCC CIS portal
- No annual report fee — only a $25/year registration fee
- Proximity to D.C., federal agencies, and national funders
- Path to 501(c)(3) tax-deductible donations
Major industries in Virginia
Form your Virginia Nonprofit in 6 steps
We handle every step while you stay in the loop. Processing takes Immediate online (CIS); same/next business day.
- 01
Choose Your Nonprofit Name
Your name must be distinguishable from existing Virginia entities. Check availability through the Virginia State Corporation Commission's business search before filing.
- 02
Appoint a Registered Agent and Directors
Virginia requires a registered agent with a physical in-state address. Virginia law requires at least one director, but the IRS expects a board of at least three unrelated directors for 501(c)(3) approval.
- 03
File Articles of Incorporation
Submit your Articles of Incorporation (Nonstock Corporation) to the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC). The state fee is $75, and online filing through the CIS portal is processed immediately.
- 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 requires both before granting 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status.
- 05
Obtain an EIN and Apply for 501(c)(3)
Get a free EIN from the IRS, then file Form 1023-EZ ($275 user fee) or full Form 1023 ($600). IRS review takes roughly 2-4 weeks for 1023-EZ or 3-6 months for the full 1023.
- 06
Register for State Tax Exemption and Charitable Solicitation
Apply separately for Virginia sales-and-use tax exemption and register for charitable solicitation before fundraising in the Commonwealth.
Virginia Nonprofit costs at a glance
Kicker formation is free — you pay only the required state fees. No hidden charges.
Virginia Nonprofit requirements checklist
Everything you need to form and maintain a Virginia Nonprofit in 2026.
- File Articles of Incorporation (Nonstock Corporation) with Virginia SCC ($75)
- Appoint a registered agent with a physical Virginia address
- Form a board of directors (Virginia requires at least one; IRS expects three unrelated directors)
- Adopt corporate bylaws and a conflict-of-interest policy
- Obtain an EIN and file IRS Form 1023-EZ or 1023 for 501(c)(3) status
- Register for Virginia charitable solicitation and apply for state tax exemption
- File the annual report and pay the $25 annual registration fee
Filing information
- Formation document
- Articles of Incorporation (Nonstock Corporation)
- Filing agency
- Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC)
- Registered agent
- Required
- Bylaws
- Recommended
- EIN
- Required
- Name reservation fee
- $10 (120 days)
Free formation — pay only the state fee
Kicker formation is free. You pay the $75 Virginia state filing fee and nothing more for the Starter plan. Optional plans add registered agent, EIN, bylaws, and compliance.
Starter
- Articles of Incorporation (Nonstock Corporation) filing
- Name availability check
- Digital document delivery
- Formation status tracking
Booster
- Everything in Starter
- Registered agent (required in Virginia)
- 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.
Virginia Nonprofit questions, answered
Common questions about forming an Nonprofit in Virginia. Can't find an answer? Talk to our team.
How much does it cost to form a nonprofit in Virginia?
The Virginia state filing fee for Articles of Incorporation (Nonstock Corporation) is $75. 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 Virginia take to process a nonprofit filing?
Online filings through the SCC's CIS portal are processed immediately, with approval typically the same or next business day. The separate IRS 501(c)(3) review takes about 2-4 weeks for Form 1023-EZ or 3-6 months for the full Form 1023.
How many directors does a Virginia nonprofit need?
Virginia law requires at least one director. However, the IRS effectively expects a board of at least three unrelated directors to approve 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, so most nonprofits start with three.
Is the 501(c)(3) application separate from forming the nonprofit?
Yes. Filing your Articles of Incorporation with the Virginia SCC creates the nonprofit corporation at the state level. Federal 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status is a separate application to the IRS using Form 1023-EZ or Form 1023.
Should I file Form 1023-EZ or the full Form 1023?
Form 1023-EZ ($275) is available to organizations expecting gross receipts of $50,000 or less per year and assets of $250,000 or less. Larger organizations must file the full Form 1023 ($600).
What are Virginia's ongoing requirements for nonprofits?
Virginia nonprofits must file an annual report (no fee) and pay a $25 annual registration fee. You must also register for charitable solicitation before fundraising and file IRS Form 990 each year to keep your federal exemption.
Does a Virginia nonprofit have to file a BOI report?
No. Under FinCEN's March 2025 interim final rule, US domestic entities — including Virginia nonprofits — are exempt from Beneficial Ownership Information reporting. Only foreign-formed entities registered in a US state still file.
Does Virginia tax nonprofits?
Virginia has a 6% corporate income tax and a 4.3% state sales tax, but 501(c)(3) nonprofits can apply separately for Virginia sales-and-use tax exemption. There is no state franchise tax on standard entities.
Virginia government filing resources
Filing fees for common Nonprofit services
Official Virginia state charges for the filings you may need after formation — our service fee is separate, and we confirm the current amount before filing.
$10 to reserve an available business entity name for 120 days.
$6.00 each, whether downloaded instantly online via CIS or ordered by mail (check payable to State Corporation Commission).
Learn more$6.00 per certified copy/request when ordered online via CIS, with NO additional per-page charge.
$10.00 per document (not per page).
No registration fee — registering as a dealer for Retail Sales and Use Tax is free.
Learn moreFlat $25 (SCC888 amendment, SCC888N name change, SCC889 restatement each $25).
Learn moreNonstock (nonprofit) corporation reinstatement fee is $10 through December 31, 2026, increasing to $100 effective January 1, 2027 (Code of Virginia § 13.1-916).
Learn moreEverything you need to run your Virginia Nonprofit
Formation is the first step — stay compliant and operational with these services.
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Ready to form your Virginia Nonprofit?
Formation is free — you pay only the $75 Virginia state filing fee. Personal-asset protection, pass-through taxation, and a complete document package, filed in Immediate online (CIS); same/next business day.
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