Startups Staff Room
Welcome! You're in the Startups Staff Room, where fledgling nonprofits staff gather to share information and resources, to network and to build skills and knowledge as they start up their organizations.
Managers' Helpline FAQs on startups
Publications
Submit a resource
Startups listserv
Managers Helpline FAQs on Startups
How do I start a nonprofit organization in California?
Please click here for a rundown of the basic steps you can take to become a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in California. Please note that this is not a comprehensive description of the process. You should refer to an attorney and/or the recommended books for further information.
Can CAN help me start my nonprofit?
CAN does not provide direct services to help incorporate nonprofit organizations. However, we can provide insight and advice to get you started. We can also connect you with consultants, attorneys and peers who can help guide and support you through the process, as well as management support organizations that often provide trainings and additional resources on this topic.
What required reports do I need to submit once I become a 501(c)(3) nonprofit?
California nonprofits are required to submit three forms each year: The RRF1 with the State Attorney General's office, Form 990 with the IRS and Form 190 with the California Franchise Tax Board. In addition, you must file the Statement of Domestic Nonprofit Corporation with the California Secretary of State every two years. For more information on these required reports, please click here.
Don't see what you're looking for? Submit your question here, ask your peers on the Startups Listserv or, if you're a CAN member, call the toll-free Managers' Helpline number that you received in your welcome packet when you joined (please e-mail us if you've lost it).
Publications
How to Start a Nonprofit in California is a basic 12-step overview of the program planning, background research and legal requirements process for launching a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in California, published by the California Association of Nonprofits.
Get Ready, Get Set: A Guide to Launching a Nonprofit Organization, by the Southern California Center for Nonprofit Management. This free guide will help you to explore necessary preliminary questions, such as "Is there an unmet need in the community?" and "Will the organization attract sufficient resources to make the project viable?" The booklet then describes the legal steps involved in incorporation and securing tax-exempt status and concludes with an overview of management systems.
The California Nonprofit Corporation Handbook, 11th Edition, by Anthony Mancuso (Nolo Press, 2005). This book details the advantages and disadvantages of nonprofit status, explores where and how nonprofits get their funding, the legal rights and responsibilities of various parties, requirements for tax exemption, the differences between major types of nonprofits, and a detailed, step-by-step process on the legal and practical process for incorporating as a nonprofit in California. It is updated frequently to reflect recent changes in laws and regulations, and now comes with a CD-ROM containing all the required forms.
Submit a Resource
Have a good resource to share that's not listed above? E-mail a short description and link to Lynn Bryson-Charles or call her at (213) 347-2070, ext. 209.
Startups Listserv
Join a listserv that connects you to other nonprofit startups! Network, share resources, tell stories from the trenches and more. Click here to join the listserv today.
