So, you want to save the world? Starting a nonprofit in California is a great start! California’s economy includes over one hundred thousand nonprofits. If you are well prepared at the beginning, starting a nonprofit will be easier. We have shared what you need and a step-by-step guide on how to start a nonprofit in California.
So, you want to save the world? Starting a nonprofit is a great place to start. California is the fifth-largest economy in the world and the largest economy in the United States. The California economy includes 144,728 nonprofit organizations.
With over a hundred thousand nonprofits, competition for your nonprofit is fierce. If you are well prepared at the beginning, starting a nonprofit will be easier. We have created a step-by-step guide for you to start a nonprofit in California. Follow each step in order, and use the links we have provided to make this process even simpler.
Embarking on the journey to start a nonprofit organization in California is a commendable endeavor that can lead to profound community impact. Whether your mission is to support education, promote environmental sustainability, provide healthcare services, or address social issues, understanding how to start a nonprofit organization in California is essential.
This detailed guide will walk you through each step, from forming your board of directors to securing California 501(c)(3) status, giving you a clear understanding of how to become a nonprofit organization in California. By following these steps, you’ll be well-prepared to establish a thriving nonprofit that can effectively fulfill its mission and serve the community.
What’s in a name? Well, that depends on what name you choose. Choosing a name for your nonprofit can be the most fun and overwhelming experience when starting your nonprofit. You will want to make sure the name tells people what your organization does and is interesting enough to catch their attention.
Once you decide on your name, the next step is making sure the name is available. There are thousands of nonprofits in California, which means you will want to make sure no one else has your name. The California Secretary of State website includes a business search. You will need to enter your nonprofit name into the search to determine whether you can use that name. This website is straightforward and includes tips to help you in your search.
The next step in starting a nonprofit in California is choosing a corporate structure. There are four corporate structures a nonprofit corporation can choose from in California:
Once you have chosen your name and corporate structure, it is time to decide your organization’s Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is the leadership team of your organization. Board members will be the decision-makers regarding the nonprofit’s policies and activities, human resources, and fundraising, to name just a few. They also have legal and financial duties to the organization and the board.
California requires a minimum of one director, but the IRS will rarely give tax-exempt status to organizations with less than three directors. Depending on the nonprofit’s size and purpose, it is generally recommended that you have three to twenty-five board members.
California does not have a residency requirement, but there are term requirements. Each member is expected to serve at least one year. A board member can serve four years maximum unless the organization has no members, then the maximum is six years.
Any committee formed must include two directors. When calling anything to vote, there must be a majority present, and no director can vote by proxy.
Choosing the right board members for your organization can be tricky, but it is one of the most important decisions when starting a nonprofit organization. To learn more, visit our post on How to Find Nonprofit Board Members.
A Registered Agent is responsible for receiving and submitting legal notices and documents for the organization. This can be done by an individual, either on the board or not, or a company that is physically located in the state that maintains an office that is open during regular business hours.
Nonprofits can legally file their Articles of Incorporation online for $30 at California’s Secretary of State’s website. When filing your Articles of Incorporation, you will need to include the following:
The Articles of Incorporation will need to be signed by an incorporator or by the initial board of directors named in the Articles of Incorporation. You will not need to include titles for these board members.
The form to file for California’s Articles of Incorporation is Form ARTS-PB-501(c)(3). This form is used by corporations seeking tax-exempt status with the IRS. This form does not mean that you are exempt from paying California income tax, which is a minimum of $800 a year. For that exemption, you will need to file Form FTB 3500 with the state of California.
In California, once you file your Articles of Incorporation, you must file an initial report with the form SI-100 Statement of Information. This form is due within 90 days of filing your articles of incorporation and every two years after that.
The online version of this form is filed within one day. Failure to file a Statement of Information in 90 days could mean a $50 fine.
The information required on this form is similar to the articles of incorporation, with a few exceptions. The following information is required:
This is one of the reasons it is important to follow our step-by-step guide in order.
Once again, this must be a physical address, not a PO box.
The Statement of information requires every corporation to have 3 board officers but also allows these positions to be held by the same person unless your organization’s bylaws or articles of incorporation say differently. The IRS will likely require your organization to have at least three board members, so you should have the following positions held by separate individuals on your board.
Want to Know about LYBUNT and SYBUNT reports? See more here!
The next step is filing your organization with the IRS. You will need an Employer Identification Number (EIN) with the IRS to identify your nonprofit. Fill out the Form SS-4 to apply for your nonprofit’s 9-digit EIN. This step is quick and simple and can be done either online, by phone, or by mail. Make sure to print your EIN paperwork before you close the program for proof of this step.
Your organization’s bylaws are the rules your board will use to address the management of your nonprofit’s activities. Your bylaws should include the following:
This should match the purpose you have written in your Articles of Incorporation.
The state of California requires that all board members serve at least one year, with a maximum of four years, unless otherwise stated in your organization’s bylaws.
The state of California requires a majority vote to meet quorum.
Duties and Responsibilities of each officer
Your board of directors will be legally and financially liable for the organization. To provide protection for the organization and your board members, we recommend you read more about the 8 types of nonprofit insurance you can buy.
This is only required if your organization will include members
An example of this is a Conflict of Interest clause
We have written an article, Nonprofit Bylaws Made Easy: Tips and Best Practices, to clear up any questions you may have on the subject.
The next step in this process is essential if your organization plans to fundraise. The state of California requires all charitable organizations that want to solicit funds in the state to register annually. Form CT-TR-1 is expected within 30 days after receipt of assets (cash or any form of property).
When filing form CT-TR-1, you should also include the following:
This list should include funds, property, and other assets of your organization.
This is only necessary if using freelance contract fundraisers.
Be sure to include states where you are exempt from registering but still solicit funds.
As a nonprofit organization in the United States, you are exempt from paying all federal taxes under 501(c)(3). In addition to the appeal of not paying taxes, this exempt status also offers you the opportunity to apply for grants and funders who are looking to donate to exempt nonprofits.
To achieve tax-exempt status, you will need to fill out either Form 1023 or Form 1023-EZ. This application is long and can feel daunting, but the benefits far outweigh the trouble. The most detailed part of this application is the Narrative Description of Your Activities. The following will be asked:
After filing for federal tax exemption, you will receive a determination letter anywhere from one to six months.
After you receive your federal determination letter, you can request California’s tax exemption using Form 3500. If you have not received your IRS determination letter yet, you will need to fill out the more complicated form to get a state tax exemption.
If you have not received your determination letter yet, you will need to fill out a more complicated Form 3500 for state income tax exemption.
California requires that you register with the Attorney General’s Registry of Charitable Trusts, which you have already done. You will need to renew this annually by filing CT-TR-1.
Every charitable nonprofit corporation in California is also required to file Form RRF-1, even if the organization does not file Form 990s annually.
This form must be filed within four months and fifteen days after the organization’s accounting period. Fees for this form are based on your nonprofit’s gross annual revenue that was reported on IRS Form 990. This is also where you must report all in-kind donations.
After you have filed all required forms with the IRS and the state of California, you need to start a bank account for your nonprofit organization. Some banks require a resolution from your board to open a bank account, especially if you have several directors. Make sure you have done your research with the bank and bring along this resolution if required. Other forms the bank will need to include the following:
As a nonprofit, you are required to file a 990 with the IRS every year. This filing will fulfill the Annual Report requirements for most nonprofits, but there are other reasons to create an Annual Report and include it on your website and other fundraising websites like Guidestar.
We have written a step-by-step guide to Writing an Effective Nonprofit Annual Report on our blog.
Starting a nonprofit in California may feel overwhelming, but the process is straightforward. With enough preparation, you should have few problems. A few rules and regulations shouldn’t stop your great idea. Saving the world is a big task, and we hope our step-by-step guide helps you start this process off on the right foot.
Starting a nonprofit in California does not cost as much as you may fear. The following is a list of fees you can expect when starting a nonprofit:
These fees are based on your gross annual revenue: $0-$300
*must be filed at the end of your fiscal year
Once again, this process takes less time than you may expect. If you file online for your Articles of Incorporation and Initial Report, the process takes 1-3 days. Your tax-exempt status with the IRS will take the longest to arrive. You can expect a determination letter anywhere from one to six months after filing.
Yes, your organization will need a Registered Agent to be responsible for receiving legal notices for the organization. A Registered Agent can either be an individual or company based in California who has regular business hours.
The state of California requires a minimum of one board member for each organization. It is recommended that your organization have at least three since the IRS will most likely not give 501(c)(3) status to an organization with less. 3-25 directors are recommended based on the size and purpose of your nonprofit.
Raviraj heads the sales and marketing team at Donorbox. His growth-hacking abilities have helped Donorbox boost fundraising efforts for thousands of nonprofit organizations.
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