Online Proof
Annual Report
Certificate of Goodstanding

Branches of Government
Charitable Trusts
Schools and Religious Organizations

proof of not-for-profit status

For grant applications, organizations must include one copy of current proof of not-for-profit status from the Illinois Secretary of State.

If you are unsure about the correct proof of not-for-profit status for your organization, please contact the IAC Grants Office at 312/814-6750, toll-free in Illinois 1/800/237-6994 or 888/261-7957 TTY/ telephone text for individuals who are deaf or who have hearing or voice impairments.

For not-for-profit status to be accepted, it must include the file number and be for the current fiscal year.

Online Proof

Proof of the organization’s not-for-profit status is available online. Navigate to the CyberDriveIllinois site, enter the organization’s name or file number in the search box, and submit the request. The screen that follows should be the Corporation File Detail Report. Print this screen as proof of not-for-profit status.

http://www.ilsos.gov/corporatellc/

Annual Report as Proof

For most not-for-profit organizations, the Annual Report to the Illinois Secretary of State is the correct not-for-profit verification. This form must be filed each year to maintain an organization’s not-for-profit status. Send the IAC a copy of the Annual Report that was submitted to the Secretary of State or a copy of the cancelled check (front and back) that accompanied the Annual Report. To be valid, the Annual Report or check must be dated no more than one year prior to the application date.

Certificate of Good standing as Proof

Organizations incorporated prior to 1943 may submit a current certificate of good standing from the Secretary of State.

branches of government

Branches of government (e.g., municipal, county, libraries, park districts) should submit a copy of the enabling legislation OR a letter from the appropriate governmental body on its letterhead stating that the applicant is an official agency or branch of government.

Charitable Trusts

Charitable Trusts must provide a current Charitable Organization Supplement (Form AG990-IL) OR a letter from the Attorney General verifying current good standing.

Schools and religious organizations

Public schools and religious organizations must submit a letter claiming exemption because such organizations are not required to be incorporated. This letter must be signed by the authorizing official on the organization’s letterhead.

PTOs, PTAs, and other school affiliate organizations must submit a letter from the affiliated school on school letterhead acknowledging this affiliation. This letter must be signed by the school principal or authorizing official.