If you're planning to start a non-profit organization in the US there are some steps that are needed to accomplished first.

1. Steps in Starting a
Non-profit Organization
in California

2. California is a state with many
organizations in place and the
steps to starting a non-profit
organization is not that hard to
accomplish.
So, here are the steps to follow
before starting a non-profit
organization in California.

3. “Decide the
name of the
organization.”
There are current
databases always
available for people
to check names of
other organizations
as not to repeat the
same name.

4. “File your business name with
your articles of incorporation.”
No business or organization is legal unless
the name has been filed with the articles of
incorporation. The articles of incorporation
identify things such as the business name,
business purpose and the person/s who
assumes responsibility for the business.

5. “Draft the conflict of interest
policies and bylaws.”
California non-profit
business owners should
always draft the conflict
of interest policies and
the bylaws, which can
provide board members
guidance and reassurance
of good practices of
services.

6. “File Form CT-1 with the
California Attorney
General’s Office.”
This is a yearly
registration that must
be filed with the
Registry of Charitable
Trusts in California
30 days after
assessing property.

7. “File for federal tax exemption
with the IRS.”
It is always important
to be in contact with
the IRS in filing for a
federal tax exemption,
and the final step in
that particular process
is receiving a
determination letter
back from the IRS.

8. “Apply for a tax exemption in
California.”
One of the last things to do for proceeding
with the steps in starting a non-profit
organization in California is to apply for a
tax exemption, and wait to receive the
exemption letter.

9. With those steps completed, a non-profit
organization should be ready to serve the
community.
www.NationalSocialServices.org
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After setting up your non-profit organization,
submit it to social service directories like
National Social Services. It offers free advertising
of all non-profit organizations in the U.S., visit