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Basic Steps for Starting a California Nonprofit
A simple outline of the steps to becoming a nonprofit
December 15, 2011
| STEP | AGENCY | FEE* | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Check name availability | Secretary of State | |
| 2 | Reserve corporate name | Secretary of State OR In person at any office of the Secretary of State |
$10 mail in $20 in person |
| 3 | Prepare Articles of Incorporation | ||
| 4 | File Articles of Incorporation | Secretary of State By mail to Secretary of State, Document Filing Support Unit, P.O. Box 944260, Sacramento, CA 94244-2600. OR In person at Sacramento or LA offices |
$30 mail in $30 + $15 fee in person |
| 5 | Apply for EIN | IRS Form SS-4 | |
| 6 | Generate Bylaws | The bylaws lay out the operating rules for your nonprofit. Issues to address include: purposes, number of directors (variable recommended), terms of office, meeting schedule, fiscal year, etc. | |
| 7 | File Statement of Information | Secretary of State Online OR Mail |
$20 |
| 8 | Prepare State Exemption Application | Franchise Tax Board Form 3500 | $25 |
| 9 | Generate IRS Exemption Application |
Phone:877.829.5500 |
$400 or $850 based on projected annual gross receipts |
| 10 | Register with Registry of Charitable Trusts | Attorney General | $25 |
| 11 | Understand and comply | Attorney General California Nonprofit Integrity Act of 2004 |
*Revised 4/2013
