Learn How to Form a New Mexico Nonprofit Corporation

If you’re passionate about a cause, starting a nonprofit corporation can help you take advantage of certain tax benefits. Setting up a nonprofit also gives you more credibility, making it easier to attract donors and find volunteers to support your work.

Step 1: Select initial directors

Under New Mexico law, your nonprofit corporation must have at least three directors. After selecting your directors, you’ll need to add their names to your New Mexico Articles of Incorporation.

Step 2: Choose a name

Naming restrictions: You must choose a name that isn’t “the same as, or confusingly similar to” the name of another business. See our New Mexico business name search page to find out if your desired name is already in use.

If the status is revoked, final, withdrawn, or dissolved, then the name is available. If the status is active, tax clearance, suspended, new corporations, or intent to dissolve, you’ll have to choose another name.

Domain registration: To start a website, you’ll need to register a domain name. Before choosing the name of your nonprofit corporation, look into whether any domain names are available to match. ZenBusiness can help you with domain registration when you’re ready.

Name reservation: If you can’t file your New Mexico Articles of Incorporation right away, consider reserving your desired name. Name reservation prevents someone else from registering the name before you do.

Step 3: Choose a New Mexico registered agent

A registered agent is a person or business that receives documents on your behalf. These documents are typically related to taxes and legal compliance. In New Mexico, a registered agent must be one of the following:

• An individual
• A domestic corporation
• A foreign corporation that’s authorized to do business in New Mexico

You can serve as your own registered agent, but there are some drawbacks. One major disadvantage is that you need to be available during business hours to accept document deliveries. Another disadvantage is that your address would become part of the public record.

If you want more flexibility, ZenBusiness’s registered agent providers can help. We provide registered agent services in all states, including New Mexico.

Step 4: File Articles of Incorporation with New Mexico

Domestic nonprofit corporation

If your nonprofit is in New Mexico, it’s considered a domestic nonprofit corporation. To file Articles of Incorporation for a domestic nonprofit, follow these steps:

Download the form here from the New Mexico Secretary of State website.

1. Fill in every field on the application. You’ll need to provide the name of your nonprofit corporation, the names of at least three initial directors, and other information about the nonprofit.
2. Sign the application.
3. Designate a registered agent. If your registered agent is an individual, fill in Box One. If your registered agent is a corporation, fill in Box Two.
4. Fill out the Document Delivery Instructions Form included in the application packet.
5. Write a check or money order payable to the New Mexico Secretary of State. As of 2021, the filing fee is $25.

Foreign nonprofit corporations

If your nonprofit is in a state other than New Mexico, it’s considered a foreign nonprofit corporation. The filing requirements are similar, but you need to complete a few extra steps.

First, search the Secretary of State database to find out if a New Mexico LLC, corporation, or partnership is already using your nonprofit’s name. If your current name isn’t available, you’ll need to choose an unused name to use in New Mexico. When you have a name in mind, fill out the required form and submit it.

Next, download the foreign nonprofit application checklist from the New Mexico Secretary of State website. Don’t leave any fields blank, or your application will be rejected. When you’re ready to file, enclose a check or money order for $25 payable to the New Mexico Secretary of State.

Within 30 days of filing, you’ll need to submit a Certificate of Good Standing to the New Mexico Secretary of State’s office. Your state may call it a Certificate of Fact, a Certificate of Existence, or something else. These documents verify that your nonprofit exists and that it’s authorized to operate in your home state.

Step 5: File a New Mexico initial report

Every New Mexico corporation is required to file an initial report no more than 30 days after a Certificate of Incorporation is issued. You’ll also need to file an annual report each year.

Step 6: Create corporate bylaws

Bylaws are the rules that must be followed when managing a nonprofit corporation. Your bylaws must contain any rules that don’t conflict with New Mexico law or contradict the Articles of Incorporation. Initial bylaws must be adopted by the board of directors.

Step 7: Hold an organizational meeting for the board of directors

After filing your Articles of Incorporation, it’s important to hold an organizational meeting for the board of directors. During this meeting, the board selects officers, adopts bylaws, and performs other important tasks.

Step 8: Set up corporate records

You’ll need to keep detailed records for your nonprofit corporation. To do this, you can use a binder or cloud-based software to store important documents.

Step 9: Get tax ID numbers

All New Mexico corporations must register for a Combined Reporting System (CRS) number with Taxation & Revenue New Mexico. Before registering for a CRS number, you must have a federal employer identification number (EIN). You can apply for an EIN on the Internal Revenue Service website, or you can let ZenBusiness do it for you with our EIN service.

Step 10: Apply for New Mexico licenses and permits

Your New Mexico nonprofit corporation may need special licenses or permits. Because licensing requirements vary by location and industry, there’s no central licensing authority. You’ll need to check with city, county, state, and federal agencies to determine what licenses and permits you need. Some nonprofits raise money by running games of chance. If you plan to do this, you’ll need to seek approval from the New Mexico Gaming Control Board.

It’s your responsibility to make sure you have all the required licenses and permits. ZenBusiness’s partners can help you determine what business licenses and permits your business needs to operate.

Step 11: Apply for tax-exempt status

To get tax-exempt status you need to apply for 501(c)(3) status with the IRS. Once you’ve done that the state of New Mexico will grant you tax-exempt status.

Step 12: Register as a charity with the state

Register as a charity with the New Mexico Office of the Attorney General.

Step 13: Acquire insurance for your nonprofit

Protect your nonprofit by signing up for relevant insurance policies. If you have employees, you must have workers’ compensation insurance. You must also pay a quarterly assessment fee to the State of New Mexico Workers’ Compensation Administration.

You may also need liability insurance or some other type of insurance to protect your nonprofit’s assets. Consult a qualified insurance agent to determine what kind of coverage you need.

Step 14: Open a bank account

Open a bank account to keep the nonprofit’s finances separate from your personal finances.

Ready to Kickstart Your Business?

At ZenBusiness, we are proud to support small businesses through a variety of different tools and services. Whether you need a registered agent service or are looking to register a domain, our goal is to help you stay on the road to success. Check out our services, and contact us today to see how we can help you grow your company.