We confirm the nonprofit concept is viable before moving into filings and applications.

• You share: mission, intended activities, who you serve, and how you plan to fund the work.
• We review: eligibility fit, compliance risks, and readiness.
• Finalize name options, purpose language, fiscal year, and initial activity plan.
• Decide whether the nonprofit will be member or non-member (most are non-member).
• Identify your initial board and officer plan.

The legal name of your nonprofit should be unique and helpful to your mission. You can always add a DBA name later.

Ideally, you should choose at least 2 alternatives just in case the state denies your first choice.

• Choose 3 possible names. Search the California Secretary of Stae for same or similar names
• Choose a domain name ending in .org
• Add-on domain and web service package with Tandy Consulting, we can secure your domain(s) immediately

Public Disclosure Notice

Most documents, tax returns, and government filings are part of the public record. This means, anyone can view addresses, tax returns, filings, bylaws and more.

If you don’t have a formal office location, pick an address that you are ok with it being publice knowledge. PO Box is not acceptable. Virtual mailbox options, click here.

Choose Your Registered Agent

Every California nonprofit is required to designate a registered agent (also called an agent for service of process). The registered agent is responsible for receiving official legal, tax, and government documents on behalf of your nonprofit.

Your registered agent must:

• Have a physical street address in California
• Be available during normal business hours
• Be listed on public state filings

You may choose one of the following options:

✔ Use Tandy Consulting Inc. as Your Registered Agent
When you form your nonprofit with us, your first year of registered agent service is included at no additional cost. Tandy Consulting Inc. is a properly registered California registered agent and provides professional document handling and compliance support.

✔ Appoint an Individual or Another Professional Service
You may also designate a California resident individual or another qualified professional registered agent service to serve in this role.

Selecting the right registered agent helps ensure important documents are received promptly and your nonprofit remains in good standing.

• SOS Law on the matter

All nonprofits are required to have a board of directors. Click the link for more on nonprofit boards.

• Recruit individuals who are passionate about your cause and have relevant skills
• Choose Director(s)

Required Minimum: 01

Qualifications: none; no residency requirement; no membership

requirement

Term: 1 year, 4 year maximum unless the corporation has no

members, in which case 6 years is the maximum term. California

law does NOT limit the number of consecutive terms a director may

serve.

Quorum: majority

Committee: minimum 2 directors

• Choose Officers

Required: A corporation shall have a chair of the board, who may

be given the title chair of the board, chairperson of the board,

chairman of the board, or chairwoman of the board, or a president

or both, a secretary, a treasurer or a chief financial officer or both,

and any other officers with any titles and duties as shall be deemed

necessary.

Other: two or more officces may be held by the same person

except that the president may not also serve as secretary or

treasurer; all officers are to be elected by the board

• Choose Members

Optional

Regular Meeting: required in years where directors are to be

elected

Quorum: 1/3rd votes

Operate as a 501(C)(3) nonprofit while approval is pending

Getting a nonprofit off the ground can’t always wait. While your tax-exempt status is being finalized, Tandy Consulting Inc. offers fiscal sponsorship services that let you move forward with confidence. Through this arrangement, your organization can begin accepting donations, pursuing grants, and carrying out its mission under an established tax-exempt umbrella—so you don’t lose valuable time or momentum. Fiscal sponsorship is a supportive, temporary solution designed to help your nonprofit start making an impact while approvals are still in progress.

We confirm the nonprofit concept is viable before moving into filings and applications.

To begin the nonprofit incorporation process, we require a short intake request to collect the information needed to prepare and file your formation documents with the California Secretary of State.

This request helps us:

• Confirm your nonprofit’s eligibility and structure
• Gather required details for incorporation and governance
• Ensure accuracy before any documents are prepared or filed
• Reduce delays, rejections, and follow-up requests

Submitting this request does not file anything with the state and does not create a nonprofit on its own. It simply allows our team to review your information and initiate incorporation services once approved.

Invoice & Engagement Confirmation

Once your nonprofit incorporation request has been reviewed and approved, an invoice will be issued to initiate services.

Payment is required before any work begins. All fees are non-refundable, as services involve document preparation, compliance review, and filing-related work.

At the time payment is made:

• Any required engagement letters will be sent electronically via DocuSign
• Services will formally commence after payment and execution of the engagement documents
• Your nonprofit incorporation will be added to our production queue

👉 Financing Available

Tax-Exempt Status Filing

After your nonprofit is formally incorporated and all organizational documents are finalized, we will prepare and file the application for federal tax-exempt status.

This step involves submitting the required application to the IRS and State of California to request recognition as a tax-exempt organization (such as under Section 501(c)(3), when applicable).

Approval is required before your nonprofit can receive tax-deductible donations and certain grants.

During this step, we will:

• Prepare the appropriate IRS tax-exempt application
• Compile required organizational and governance documents
• Review eligibility and compliance requirements prior to submission
• Submit the application and provide confirmation of filing

IRS review timelines vary and are outside our control. We will notify you once the application has been submitted and advise you on next steps while awaiting determination.

California Department of Justice Filing

Most California nonprofits are required to register with the California Department of Justice’s Registry of Charitable Trusts.

This registration is required for nonprofits that hold charitable assets, solicit donations, or operate for charitable purposes in California. It establishes public transparency and allows the state to oversee charitable organizations and protect donors.

Registration with the Department of Justice:

• Is a legal requirement for many California nonprofits
• Allows your organization to lawfully solicit and receive charitable donations
• Creates a public record confirming charitable oversight and accountability
• Is required before certain fundraising activities can begin

We prepare and submit the required registration documents and ensure your nonprofit is properly enrolled with the Registry of Charitable Trusts.

Once your IRS tax-exempt determination letter has been issued, your nonprofit is ready to open a dedicated bank account.

A separate bank account is essential to properly manage charitable funds, maintain financial transparency, and meet regulatory and donor expectations. It also helps ensure your nonprofit remains compliant by clearly separating organizational finances from personal funds.

At this stage, Tandy Consulting Inc. will provide a complete banking package for you to present to your chosen financial institution.

This package is designed to streamline the account-opening process and typically includes:

• Formation and organizational documents
• IRS tax-exempt determination letter
• Governing and authorization documentation required by banks
• Any additional supporting materials commonly requested by financial institutions

While the bank ultimately controls the account approval process, providing a complete and organized package helps reduce delays and avoids unnecessary follow-up requests.

👉 Continue below to proceed with banking setup.

Once your nonprofit is established, ongoing compliance is required to maintain good standing with federal and state agencies.

Our Annual Nonprofit Compliance Services are designed to help you stay current, avoid penalties, and focus on your mission—not deadlines and paperwork.

This service provides year-round support and covers the recurring filings and updates most California nonprofits are required to complete.

Our annual compliance services typically include:

• California Statement of Information filing, including required state filing fees
• California Department of Justice (DOJ) filings, including Registry of Charitable Trusts reporting
• Federal nonprofit tax returns (such as Form 990-series, as applicable)
• Sales tax filings and compliance, when required
• Bylaw reviews and updates to reflect operational or regulatory changes
• Ongoing compliance monitoring and reminders for key deadlines

Requirements vary based on your nonprofit’s size, activities, and revenue. We review your organization’s specific obligations to ensure filings are completed accurately and on time.

Our goal is to simplify compliance, reduce risk, and provide confidence that your nonprofit remains in good standing year after year.