Form Your Wisconsin Nonprofit Corporation
Launch your mission in the Badger State with a low $35 filing fee, a clear path to 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, and affordable $10/year compliance through the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions
Filed in Wisconsin
The Badger State · WI
- State filing fee$35
- Processing time~5 business days online; expedite next business day (+$25)
- Our formation feeFree (you pay $100 if you choose a paid plan)
- Annual report$10/year (nonstock annual report) — due End of anniversary calendar quarter
- State tax rate7.9% corporate income tax
- Expedited option24 hours (+$100)
Form your Wisconsin Nonprofit — pay only the state filing fee, nothing more.
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Everything to launch your Wisconsin Nonprofit
Free formation means you pay only the $35 state filing fee. All core services are included at no extra charge.
Articles of Incorporation – Nonstock Corporation (Form 102) filing
We prepare and submit your Articles of Incorporation – Nonstock Corporation (Form 102) to the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions.
Registered agent
Required in Wisconsin — 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 Wisconsin
Wisconsin offers a supportive environment for nonprofits, with a strong base of foundations, healthcare systems, and universities like UW-Madison that fuel volunteer and donor networks across Madison and Milwaukee. A low $35 incorporation fee and a modest $10 annual report keep ongoing compliance affordable for mission-driven organizations in the Badger State.
Low $35 state filing fee to incorporate your nonprofit
Pathway to 501(c)(3) federal tax-exempt status
Donations become tax-deductible once the IRS approves exemption
Fast ~5-business-day online processing through WDFI
Affordable $10/year annual report keeps you in good standing
Eligibility for grants and foundation funding reserved for nonprofits
Limited liability protection for directors and officers
Access to UW-Madison talent and a strong Midwest volunteer base
Key features of a Wisconsin Nonprofit
- Low $35 state incorporation fee
- Affordable $10/year annual report
- Minimum of 3 directors required
- ~5-business-day online processing through WDFI
- Clear path to 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
Major industries in Wisconsin
Form your Wisconsin Nonprofit in 6 steps
We handle every step while you stay in the loop. Processing takes ~5 business days online; expedite next business day (+$25).
- 01
Choose Your Nonprofit Name
Pick a distinguishable name and confirm availability through the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions' business search. The name must not conflict with an existing Wisconsin entity.
- 02
Appoint Directors and a Registered Agent
Wisconsin nonstock corporations must have a board of at least 3 directors and a registered agent with a physical Wisconsin address to receive legal documents.
- 03
File Articles of Incorporation (Nonstock)
Submit Form 102, Articles of Incorporation – Nonstock Corporation, to the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions. The state fee is $35, with online filing processed in about 5 business days (next-business-day expedite for an extra $25).
- 04
Adopt Bylaws and a Conflict-of-Interest Policy
Hold an organizational meeting to adopt corporate bylaws and a conflict-of-interest policy, elect officers, and document the board's actions — all of which the IRS expects for 501(c)(3) review.
- 05
Obtain an EIN and Apply for 501(c)(3)
Get a free EIN from the IRS, then apply for federal tax exemption using Form 1023-EZ ($275) or full Form 1023 ($600). This federal step is separate from your Wisconsin incorporation.
- 06
Register for State Exemption and Charitable Solicitation
After IRS approval, apply for Wisconsin tax exemptions and register for charitable solicitation with the WDFI before fundraising. File the $10 annual report each year to stay in good standing.
Wisconsin Nonprofit costs at a glance
Kicker formation is free — you pay only the required state fees. No hidden charges.
Wisconsin Nonprofit requirements checklist
Everything you need to form and maintain a Wisconsin Nonprofit in 2026.
- File Articles of Incorporation – Nonstock Corporation (Form 102) with WDFI ($35)
- Maintain a board of at least 3 directors
- Appoint a registered agent with a physical Wisconsin address
- Adopt corporate bylaws and a conflict-of-interest policy
- Obtain an EIN and apply to the IRS for 501(c)(3) status (Form 1023-EZ or 1023)
- File the $10 nonstock annual report each year with WDFI
- Register for Wisconsin charitable solicitation before fundraising
Filing information
- Formation document
- Articles of Incorporation – Nonstock Corporation (Form 102)
- Filing agency
- Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions
- Registered agent
- Required
- Bylaws
- Recommended
- EIN
- Required
- Name reservation fee
- $15 (120 days)
Free formation — pay only the state fee
Kicker formation is free. You pay the $35 Wisconsin 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 (Form 102) filing
- Name availability check
- Digital document delivery
- Formation status tracking
Booster
- Everything in Starter
- Registered agent (required in Wisconsin)
- 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.
Wisconsin Nonprofit questions, answered
Common questions about forming an Nonprofit in Wisconsin. Can't find an answer? Talk to our team.
How much does it cost to form a nonprofit in Wisconsin?
The state filing fee for Articles of Incorporation – Nonstock Corporation is $35, filed with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions. After incorporating, you apply to the IRS for 501(c)(3) status, which has a separate federal user fee of $275 (Form 1023-EZ) or $600 (full Form 1023).
How long does Wisconsin take to process a nonprofit filing?
Online filings with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions are typically processed in about 5 business days. Next-business-day expedited processing is available for an additional $25.
How many directors does a Wisconsin nonprofit need?
A Wisconsin nonstock (nonprofit) corporation must have a board of at least 3 directors. A strong, independent board also supports your IRS 501(c)(3) application.
Is incorporating the same as getting 501(c)(3) status?
No. Filing your Articles of Incorporation with Wisconsin creates the nonprofit corporation, but federal tax-exempt status is a separate step — you apply to the IRS using Form 1023-EZ or full Form 1023. You'll also handle Wisconsin tax exemption and charitable-solicitation registration separately.
Which IRS form should our nonprofit use — 1023-EZ or 1023?
Form 1023-EZ ($275) is available to smaller organizations with gross receipts of $50,000 or less per year and assets of $250,000 or less; it's typically approved in about 2-4 weeks. Larger organizations file the full Form 1023 ($600), which the IRS generally processes in about 3-6 months.
What ongoing filings does a Wisconsin nonprofit have?
Wisconsin nonstock corporations file an annual report with the Department of Financial Institutions for $10 each year, due by the end of the calendar quarter containing your incorporation anniversary. Federally, 501(c)(3) organizations file an annual IRS Form 990, and Wisconsin requires charitable-solicitation registration before fundraising.
Does my Wisconsin nonprofit have to file a BOI report with FinCEN?
No. Under FinCEN's March 2025 interim final rule, domestic U.S. entities and U.S. persons are exempt from Beneficial Ownership Information reporting. Only entities formed abroad and registered to do business in a U.S. state still file.
Does Wisconsin tax nonprofit corporations?
Wisconsin's corporate income tax rate is 7.9% and the state sales tax is 5%, but 501(c)(3) organizations can qualify for exemptions once approved. Wisconsin imposes no franchise tax, and donations to your approved 501(c)(3) become tax-deductible for donors.
Wisconsin government filing resources
Filing fees for common Nonprofit services
Official Wisconsin state charges for the filings you may need after formation — our service fee is separate, and we confirm the current amount before filing.
Fee VARIES by entity type: $15.00 for LLC, business corporation, LLP, or cooperative.
$10.00 per certificate - same fee for ALL entity types (does NOT vary by entity).
Learn more$10.00 per CERTIFIED document/record (same fee for all entity types - no per-page charge, priced per document).
$10.00 per document standard (Secretary of State est.
$25 to file a nonstock/nonprofit corporation's Articles of Amendment (Form Corp 104) with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions.
Learn more$10 statement of change of registered agent or registered office (Wis.
Learn more$10 base fee to file Nonstock (nonprofit) Corporation Articles of Dissolution (Form 110) with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions online.
Learn moreEverything you need to run your Wisconsin Nonprofit
Formation is the first step — stay compliant and operational with these services.
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Ready to form your Wisconsin Nonprofit?
Formation is free — you pay only the $35 Wisconsin state filing fee. Personal-asset protection, pass-through taxation, and a complete document package, filed in ~5 business days online; expedite next business day (+$25).
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