Document background
The Nonprofit Corporation Articles of Incorporation is a fundamental legal document required when establishing a non-profit organization in South Africa. It must be filed with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) and serves as the organization's constitutional document. This document is essential for any group seeking to establish a formal non-profit entity that will operate for public benefit rather than private gain. It must comply with the Companies Act 71 of 2008, particularly Section 10 and Schedule 1, and may include provisions to qualify for Public Benefit Organization status under the Income Tax Act. The document establishes the organization's legal existence, defines its charitable or public benefit purposes, sets out its governance structure, and provides the framework for its operations, including provisions for board composition, membership (if applicable), financial management, and eventual dissolution.
