Starting a Nonprofit

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Get Ready, Get Set
Read this free booklet to learn what you need to know before starting a nonprofit

If you are thinking of starting a nonprofit organization, download and read Get Ready, Get Set. This free booklet covers everything you need to know before starting a nonprofit.  Find answers to all of your basic questions.

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Initial Filings for California Nonprofit Organizations
Hurwit & Associates - Nonprofit Law Resource Library

Links and information on initial filings for forming a nonprofit organization in California.

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Forming a Nonprofit Corporation in California
Citizen Media Law Project

 Here are the steps to form a nonprofit public benefit corporation in California.

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How to Form a Nonprofit Corporation in California
A valuable reference book for anyone starting a nonprofit organization who wants to do it on their own,

This Nolo Press book by attorney Anthony Macuso offers complete instructions and comes with a CD that includes all necessary forms. Purchase it in most bookstores or read it for free here at the Center.

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CalGold
Database of business license and permit requirements.

Business license and permit requirements vary. Use this helpful database to determine requirements for your specific area. Search nonprofit under business type. 

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Guide to Charities
CA Attorney General's booklet helps answer legal questions

Guide to Charities CA Attorney General’s booklet helps answer legal questions

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Myths and Realities of Starting and Running a Nonprofit
Video from the Foundation Center

Myths and Realities of Starting and Running a Nonprofit
01:21:46
You feel called to start a nonprofit business but do you really know what you are getting into before you take that leap?

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Starting an Nonprofit Organization
Five tips and a warning

The world is in the midst of what one observer has called an “associational revolution.” New nonprofits are being formed for every sort of purpose on every continent at the fastest rate in history. If you are thinking of joining this vast worldwide movement by starting—or helping to start—a nonprofit, here are some crucial things to think about.

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Fiscal Sponsorship
An alternative to nonprofit status

Fiscal sponsorship is an arrangement between a 501(c)(3) public charity and a project (that does not have that tax status) in which, typically, the charity receives and expends funds to advance the charitable work of the project while retaining discretion and control over the funds

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Benefit Corporations and Flexible Purpose Corporations
New alternatives to a traditional nonprofit corporation

The California legislature just created two new classes of corporations for businesses that seek to pursue both profit and purpose: Benefit Corporations and Flexible Purpose Corporations.

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What You Need to Know About Nonprofit Executive Compensation

This report outlines what the IRS permits in setting nonprofit executive compensation, the consequences of failing to comply with the regulations, how nonprofit board members can protect themselves and the organizations they serve, the kind of data compensation decisions should be based on, and the importance of reporting compensation accurately in annual IRS filing.

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Youth Board Members
Can minors serve on a nonprofit board?

Youths represent a growing volunteer population for nonprofits and for some, a potential pool of nonprofit board members. 

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