How to Start a Nonprofit Organization in Fresno County California
The state of California recognizes three main types of nonprofit organizations: religious, mutual benefit and public benefit. Organizations intending to organize for the operation of a church or other religious activities are classified as "Nonprofit Religious Corporations." Organizations that intend to promote a publicly beneficial charity, social program or civic organization are classified as "Public Benefit Corporations." All other nonprofit organizations that do not fall into the first two categories are considered "Mutual Benefit Corporations." The process for starting and registering a nonprofit organization in Fresno County, California, originates at the state level and often requires additional filings at the county and city levels.
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Instructions
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Complete the California Nonprofit "Articles of Incorporation" form. This form is located on the California Secretary of State's website, and a link is provided in the "Resources" section. This form requires information regarding the type of nonprofit you intend to form (religious, public benefit or mutual benefit); the name and purpose of the organization; the name and address of the person(s) selected to act as an agent on behalf of the organization and the signature of the incorporator.
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File a "Statement of Information-Form SI 100" with the California Secretary of State within 90 days of filing the Articles of Incorporation. This form requires information regarding the organization's principal business address; the names and addresses of the organization's officers; the name and address of an individual acting as an agent for service of process or to receive legal documents on behalf of the organization and whether the organization was formed as a "Davis-Stirling Common Interest Development Act" organization (see Resources). Return the completed form to the California Secretary of State along with the $20 filing fee.
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Complete form "FTB 3500" which can be found on the "Franchise Tax Board's" website (see Resources) and collect the required supporting documents. These documents must be filed in order to receive tax-exempt status with the state of California, and this form requires additional information regarding the purpose and financial activities of the organization. The supporting documents that must be filed with this form consist of a copy of the organization's creating document or articles of incorporation, bylaws, budget and determination letter from the IRS if your organization is a foreign organization, qualifying trust, 23701a organization or a 23701i organization.
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File completed form "FTB 3500" and supporting documents with the California Franchise Tax Board by mailing your documents, along with the $25 filing fee, to the following address:
Franchise Tax Board
P.O. Box 942857
Sacramento, California 94257 -
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File a "Fictitious Business Name Statement" with the Fresno County Clerk's Office. This form can be obtained at the County of Fresno's website (see Resources) and requires basic information about the organization including the name and address of the organization and the name, address and contact information of the registrant. Once completed, this form should be mailed, along with a $35 filing fee to mailing address listed on the bottom of the application.
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Publish an advertisement in a newspaper of general circulation in Fresno County stating the name, address and purpose of the organization once you are informed that the fictitious name has been approved.
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Contact the city or municipality in which the organization was formed to inquire about local licenses and permits. Each city has different regulations that apply to nonprofit organizations and other businesses. Often, the type of license or permit that you will need will depend upon the specific operations of your organization.
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Tips & Warnings
A $30 filing fee must be submitted with the "Articles of Incorporation Form" (step 1), if mailed to the California Secretary of State at the following address:
Document Filing Support Unit
P.O. Box 944260
Sacramento, California 94244
An additional $15 fee is required if you will be hand delivering the form to one of the agency's physical offices in Sacramento, Los Angeles or San Diego.
References
Resources
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