T
The Daily Insight

Can a corporation run a nonprofit?

Author

James Craig

Published Apr 08, 2026

No individual or group of people owns a nonprofit. In some instances, a nonprofit can be associated with a for-profit corporation. For example, some members of a nonprofit’s board may also serve on the board of directors for the for-profit business. This still isn’t ownership, simply common control.

How many nonprofits are in Illinois?

As of 2016, there were 22,743 nonprofit organizations in Illinois.

How much does it cost to start a nonprofit organization in Illinois?

To start a nonprofit corporation in Illinois, you must file nonprofit articles of incorporation with the Illinois Secretary of State. You can file your articles online, in person, or by mail. The articles of incorporation cost $52 to file.

How many board members do you need for a nonprofit in Illinois?

three directors
These decisions will guide the drafting of a set of bylaws for your organization’s needs whether you draft them yourself or consult an attorney. 1. How many directors will be on the board? The Illinois statute requires a minimum of three directors on the board.

Can a corporation own a non profit business? In the United States, the answer is “no” because no one actually “owns” a nonprofit organization. Confusion about ownership may stem from the fact that nonprofit corporations exist.

How do I start a nonprofit organization in Illinois?

How to Start a Nonprofit in Illinois

  1. Name Your Organization.
  2. Recruit Incorporators and Initial Directors.
  3. Appoint a Registered Agent.
  4. Prepare and File Articles of Incorporation.
  5. File Initial Report.
  6. Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
  7. Store Nonprofit Records.
  8. Establish Initial Governing Documents and Policies.

How many nonprofits are in Chicago?

50,346 organizations
There are 50,346 organizations in the greater Chicago metro area, including the cities of Chicago, Bolingbrook, Des Plaines, Elgin, Evanston, Hoffman Estates, Naperville, Schaumburg, Skokie, and Gary within the states of Illinois and Indiana.

How to form a not for profit corporation in Illinois?

2. Choose a name for your corporation. The name of your not-for-profit corporation must be distinguishable from the name of any business entity on file with the Illinois Secretary of State. To see if your proposed name is available, you can search Illinois’s corporate name database on the Illinois Secretary of State’s website.

How many directors do you need for a nonprofit corporation in Illinois?

In Illinois, your nonprofit corporation must have three or more directors. You must have at least one incorporator and the incorporator can be an individual (age 18 or older) or a corporation (domestic or foreign). 2. Choose a name for your corporation

Who are the owners of a nonprofit corporation?

The Reality of a Non-ProfitBusiness Structure The most popular business entity for nonprofits is the nonprofit corporation, making up well over 90% of all tax-exempt organizations. This type of corporation is very different from the above-mentioned for-profit corporation. A nonprofit corporation has no owners (shareholders) whatsoever.

How to find a corporation or limited liability company in Illinois?

For LLC availability, please call 217-524-8008. The File Detail Report on a corporation or limited liability company includes the most commonly requested information on the business entity (i.e. exact name, date of formation/registration in Illinois, jurisdiction, duration, name of the registered agent and address of the registered office).