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Mississippi NonprofitForm a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Mississippi for $0 service fee plus the $50 state fee. Articles, bylaws, board minutes, Form 1023 or 1023-EZ filing, state charitable registration handled.
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Mississippi Nonprofit Formation, 2026
Nonprofit formation in Mississippi · 501(c)(3) support

How to form a nonprofit in Mississippi for $0 service fee.

Mississippi state filing fee is $50. Standard processing is 1 to 3 business days. We file Articles of Incorporation as a nonprofit with the Mississippi Secretary of State, prepare 501(c)(3)-compliant bylaws and board minutes, obtain your EIN, file IRS Form 1023 or 1023-EZ for federal tax exemption, and handle Mississippi charitable solicitation registration.

$0 service fee 501(c)(3) application included State charity registration
501(c)(3) APPLICATION
Mississippi Nonprofit Corporation
State filing$50
IRS Form1023 / 1023-EZ
Processing1 to 3 business days
Board minimum3 directors
MS
501(c)(3)
EXEMPT
$50
Mississippi filing fee
501(c)(3)
IRS application included
$0
Our service fee
9,400+
Nonprofits formed
$0
Service fee
we file it free
$50
Mississippi state fee
passed through at cost
501(c)(3)
Federal filing
IRS guidance included
Bylaws
+ Articles
templates included
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Articles + bylaws501(c)(3) language ready
Board governance3-director template + COI policy
Form 990 calendarAnnual IRS reporting tracked
How Mississippi nonprofits work

From Mississippi formation to tax-exempt mission.

STEP 1
Mississippi formationArticles filed
STEP 2
EIN + bylawsIRS SS-4 filed
STEP 3
501(c)(3) grantedDonations deductible
Board of Directors 3 minimum, unrelated, independent oversight of mission and finances
Executive Director Runs day-to-day operations; can be paid (reasonable comp)
Donors + grants Tax-deductible to donors after 501(c)(3) determination letter
The Mississippi nonprofit sector

Why Mississippi for your mission.

Low formation fees ($50) and low annual costs ($25, free online). Lower cost of living than national average. State income tax phasing to 4% flat. Manufacturing recruitment is aggressive.

State GDP$130BTotal state output
Population2.9MCensus estimate
Small businesses~250,000Per SBA
Notable#1 catfish productionEconomic distinction
Sectors Mississippi nonprofits commonly support
Manufacturing (automotive, aerospace)Agriculture (catfish, poultry, soybeans)Casinos & gamingForestryHealthcare
Top cities

Where Mississippi nonprofits operate.

Jackson
State capital. Healthcare, government, manufacturing.
Gulfport
Casinos, tourism, port.
Southaven
Memphis suburb, growing logistics.
Hattiesburg
Manufacturing, university, healthcare.
Biloxi
Casinos, tourism, military (Keesler AFB).
Tupelo
Manufacturing, Elvis Presley birthplace, tourism.
Is a Mississippi nonprofit right for you

When the nonprofit structure fits.

FORM A MISSISSIPPI NONPROFIT IF
  • Your mission is charitable, religious, educational, scientific, or public-benefit
  • You want donations to be tax-deductible to donors (requires 501(c)(3))
  • You plan to apply for grants from foundations or government
  • You can recruit at least 3 unrelated board members
  • You accept that profits cannot be distributed to owners
  • You will operate consistently within Mississippi or across multiple states
FORM AN LLC OR CORP INSTEAD IF
  • You want to keep ownership and profits
  • You are running a for-profit business with charitable side activity
  • You cannot commit to ongoing board governance and Form 990 filing
  • You want to fundraise capital from equity investors (impossible for 501(c)(3))
  • Your mission is better served as a B-Corp or LLC with social purpose
Ready to start a nonprofit in Mississippi?5 minutes to begin. $0 service fee. $50 Mississippi fee at cost. 501(c)(3) application included.
What is included on Starter

Free with your Mississippi nonprofit LLC formation.

Starter is genuinely $0. We pass through the $state Mississippi nonprofit state fee at cost. Everything below is included free.

  • Articles filed with the Mississippi Secretary of State, our service fee $0
  • IRS EIN application (Form SS-4) filed for you
  • Mississippi nonprofit-specific Operating Agreement or Bylaws template
  • Mississippi nonprofit Registered Agent service: first year free, then $99/year
  • Basic Mississippi nonprofit compliance calendar (annual report dates)
  • Document storage, 5 GB
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Add the operating stack most Mississippi nonprofit businesses need.

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Or pay as you need

BOI filing $249 one-time · Annual report filing $149 + state fee · Foreign qualification $149/state · Trademark $249/class + USPTO fee · Custom Operating Agreement $199 · Expedited state filing state fee + $50 service. Full add-on pricing →

Filing timeline

From Mississippi formation to 501(c)(3) determination.

1
Week 1
Mississippi ArticlesFiled with the Mississippi Secretary of State. EIN issued.
2
Week 2
Bylaws + boardBylaws, initial minutes, conflict of interest policy.
3
Week 2-6
Form 1023 / 1023-EZFiled with the IRS. 1023-EZ for most under $50k revenue.
4
Week 4-24
501(c)(3) grantedIRS determination letter. Tax-deductible donations begin.
The Mississippi paperwork is significant.State Articles, federal 501(c)(3) application, state charitable registration, ongoing Form 990. We do all of it.
Compare to nearby states

Mississippi nonprofit vs neighbors.

Alabama$200Similar Southern economy, higher fees
Arkansas$45Slightly lower fees, similar economy
Tennessee$300No income tax, much higher fees
Mississippi Nonprofit$50Form where you operate. Nonprofit fees are lower than LLC in most states.
Local resources

Mississippi nonprofit resources.

Mississippi Development AuthorityState business support
Mississippi SBDCStatewide network
Greater Jackson ChamberMetro chamber
Mississippi Manufacturing AssociationManufacturing advocacy
60day promise

The File.Business Promise

If we miss a filing deadline on a service you pay us to manage, we pay the state penalty. If you change your mind in the first 60 days, we refund our service fee in full. Your data stays yours, always.

60-day money-back 501(c)(3) included State charity reg Form 990 tracked
FAQ

Mississippi Nonprofit questions.

Does my Mississippi nonprofit need to file federally for 501(c)(3)?
Yes, if you want donations to your nonprofit to be tax-deductible to donors. Mississippi forms your nonprofit corporation; the IRS grants 501(c)(3) status separately via Form 1023 or 1023-EZ. We handle both: the Mississippi formation and the federal 501(c)(3) application.
What is Form 1023-EZ and can my Mississippi nonprofit use it?
Form 1023-EZ is a shorter (~3-page) IRS application for tax exemption. Most new nonprofits with gross receipts under $50,000 and assets under $250,000 qualify. About 65% of new nonprofits qualify. We assess eligibility and file the right form (1023 or 1023-EZ) for your Mississippi nonprofit.
Does Mississippi require charitable solicitation registration?
Most states (40+ states have this requirement) require nonprofits to register with the state attorney general or charity bureau before legally soliciting donations. We handle Mississippi charitable solicitation registration after the nonprofit is formed, plus other states where you plan to fundraise.
How many board members must a Mississippi nonprofit have?
Mississippi typically requires at least 3 directors for a nonprofit corporation. The IRS also expects at least 3 unrelated directors for 501(c)(3) credibility. Directors should not be related by blood, marriage, or business interest in a way that would compromise independent oversight.
Can my Mississippi nonprofit pay its founders?
Yes, as long as compensation is reasonable for the work performed. The IRS reviews this in the 1023/1023-EZ application. Common practice: founders serve as Executive Director with a defensible salary based on comparable nonprofits of similar size and scope. The board (not the founder) should approve compensation.
When does the Mississippi nonprofit Form 990 need to be filed?
Form 990 (or 990-EZ, or 990-N depending on revenue) is due 4.5 months after fiscal year-end. So a calendar-year nonprofit files by May 15. Missing 3 consecutive years auto-revokes 501(c)(3) status. We track this in your compliance calendar from year one.
How long until my Mississippi nonprofit can accept tax-deductible donations?
You can accept donations from day one of Mississippi formation. However, donations are only tax-deductible to donors after the IRS issues the 501(c)(3) determination letter. The determination is typically retroactive to the formation date if you apply within 27 months. 1023-EZ approval is usually 2-4 weeks; full 1023 is 3-6 months.
Can my Mississippi nonprofit sell goods or services?
Yes, as long as the activities are substantially related to the exempt purpose. Mississippi nonprofits often generate revenue through program services, events, grants, and (with limits) unrelated business income. Excess unrelated business income (UBI) creates tax liability and can threaten 501(c)(3) status.

Start your Mississippi Nonprofit in 5 minutes.

Tell us about your mission. We file with the Mississippi Secretary of State, prepare bylaws and board minutes, obtain your EIN, file Form 1023 or 1023-EZ, and register for Mississippi charitable solicitation.

Pay only state fee 501(c)(3) included Form 990 tracked

Related searches: form a nonprofit in Mississippi · Mississippi 501c3 cost · Mississippi nonprofit filing fee · Mississippi charitable registration · how to start nonprofit in Mississippi · Mississippi Form 1023-EZ · Mississippi Form 990 · nonprofit incorporation Mississippi

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