Every arts organization needs to have its legal house in order. Here are a variety of sample documents that can be tailored to the needs of your organization and its special requirements.

Arts organizations need to be legally organized, registered, and run as corporations.  However, some specific differences exist between For Profit and Not For Profit corporations.

The forms below have been reviewed and adapted by an attorney with particular experience in Illinois nonprofit law.

Developing Articles of Incorporation

		Powers and Limitations (.doc)
		Draft Articles of Incorporation (.doc)
		NFP 102.10 - Articles of Incorporation (.pdf)
		Addendum to Articles of Incorporation (.doc)

Developing Bylaws

		Draft Bylaws (.doc)
		Detailed Bylaws (.doc)

Federal Requirements and Documents

		A Note about Public Charities v. Private Foundations (.doc)
		Conflict of Interest Policy (.doc)
		Apply for Income Tax Exemption (.doc)
		-- Sample: IRS tax exempt status letter (.pdf)
		-- Sample: Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative (.pdf)
		Form 1023: Application for Recognition of Exemption (.pdf)
		Federal Employer Identification Number (.doc)
		--  Sample: Form SS-4: - Application for EIN (.pdf)
		--  Sample: IRS Federal Tax ID letter (.pdf)
		Political Activity (.pdf)
		IRS Form 990-EZ: Short Form Return (.pdf)

Illinois Requirements and Documents

		Illinois Applications and Registrations (.doc)
		Obtain Authority to Solicit or Receive Contributions (.doc)
		Reserve Your Corporate Name (.doc)
		--  NFP 104.10 - Application for Reservation of Name (.pdf)
		-- Form CO-1: Charitable Organization - Registration Statement (.pdf)
		-- Form CO-2: Charitable Organization - Financial Information Form (.pdf)

City of Chicago Requirements

City of Chicago Applications and Registrations (.doc)

Other useful information

	»	Steps to Becoming a 501(c)(3) -- © Executive Service Corps of Chicago
	»	Life Cycle of a Public Charity -- IRS website