The articles of incorporation should provide legal description of the NGO assingning power to the board. Once drafted, they should be submitted to the board for final approval before registration. The information that should be included in the articles varies between local state governments and also from country to country. Depending on what country the NGO is being formed in, it is important to check with local and federal governments to see what kind of forms need to be filled out and what should be included. The following are general examples of what is often expected:

• Name of the NGO
• Purpose/Mission
• A statement declaring the NGO is nonprofit
• Location of the NGO
• Number and names of the board members
• Extent of personal liability
• Whether or not the NGO has capital stock (usually it will not)
• How long the NGO is expected to exist (this may be declared as everlasting)