Does a non-profit need to be incorporated?

I'm part of an organization going for 501 (c) 3 (non-profit) status. I've refused to be in charge because I know it's an enormous headache, and the organization is paying someone else to do it. The president of the organization has asked me to look over what the person we've hired has been doing.

I've been involved with this before but I just don't remember details. In the bylaws he's revised for the application for 501 (c) 3 status, he keeps calling us a "corporation." I can't remember how that works and a quick Google search isn't helping me.

1.) Are you automatically a corporation if you get 501 (c) 3 nonprofit status? (I don't think so).

2.) Do you need to file articles of incorporation TO become a 501 (c) 3? Or can you become a non-profit without being incorporated?

I think I was part of an organization that was a non-profit but not incorporated -- by the way, if incorporation is not required but recommended, that's fine. The main thing I'm concerned about is that I think it is required, and is more money on top of the 501 (c) 3 filing, which I don't think the board knows about and I'd want to tell them.

Thanks.