Thinking about starting a nonprofit organization in the State of California?  Check out these resources.

California Association of Nonprofits
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.

Compasspoint

Resources, workshops, and learning events related to starting a nonprofit organization.

Fiscal Sponsor Information

A relatively small number of foundations award grants directly to individuals, while the vast majority limit their funding to nonprofit organizations. If you are seeking support for a project but are not affiliated with a nonprofit, you may increase your chances of securing foundation support if you can find a nonprofit organization that will serve as your project's fiscal sponsor.  In this type of arrangement, a nonprofit acts as an individual’s fiscal agent, receiving and administering the grant for a small percentage of the funds. 

Get Ready; Get Set. A free guide about what you need to know before starting a nonprofit.

Internal Revenue Service

This is a surprisingly helpful and user-friendly website, especially considering the source.  You can download all the forms and instructions you need to file for your tax-exempt status with the IRS or you fill out the forms online and submit them.  There are links to all the other forms you will need, including an application for an EIN (Employer Identification Number) and Form 8718, User Fee for Exempt Organization Determination Letter Request.  Yes, there's a form to accompany the fee you will pay to submit your tax-exempt application.

Nolo Law for All

Nolo publishes the definitive guide on how to start a California nonprofit corporation called The California Nonprofit Corporation Kit. It's full of important information and contains a CD that has lots of sample forms.  For a quick & dirty summary of what it takes to start a nonprofit, visit the website.

The Foundation Center
Are you considering starting a nonprofit organization, or do you already run or work for a nonprofit startup? The Foundation Center is holding a special five-part webinar series just for you.

Are you ready to be funded?
This is a useful self-assessment tool to complete when you are planning your nonprofit.  It is based on a study by La Piana Associates Inc, published by Grantmakers for Effective Organizations (GEO) in 2003, entitled “Tool for Assessing Startup Organizations – a due diligence supplement for grantmakers.” The CBO Center added additional questions to this assessment.