Resources

Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
(877) 829-5500
irs.gov

Oversees federal tax-exempt status of charitable organizations and provides a range of resources to assist charities, private foundations and other nonprofit organizations with federal reporting compliance.

California Secretary of State
(916) 653-8814
ss.ca.gov
Name Availability Unit
(916) 657-5448

Charities seeking to operate in California must file articles of incorporation with the Secretary of State and a current list of board officers.

Recorded information on how to obtain a name for nonprofit corporations.

Local Governments
ceb.com/info/NonprofitsAppendixC.asp

Cities and counties may have local ordinances to protect consumers against fraudulent solicitations. Charities should check on local requirements that may require charities and charitable fundraisers to register, certify their tax-exempt status, obtain a license to solicit and file accountings of fundraising proceeds. The Attorney General's Charities website provides a link to a current listing of more than 200 licensing offices in cities and counties that have ordinances affecting charities and charitable fundraisers. This list is complied by the Continuing Education of the Bar, and is included in its 2-volume publication, Advising California Nonprofit Corporations.

California Employment Development Department
(888) 745-3886
edd.ca.gov

Provides labor market data for the state and by county.

BBB Wise Giving Alliance
The Council of Better Business Bureaus
4200 Wilson Blvd., Suite 800
Arlington, VA 22203-1804
(800) 575-GIVE
bbb.org

Information for donors about charities.

GuideStar
www2.guidestar.org

Provides searchable database of charities nationwide and information for donors about charitable organizations.

Legal Aid Societies

Local chapters in many counties may provide low cost legal services to qualifying organizations. Usually at least three main factors are considered to determine if the organization qualifies for low cost legal aid: (1) the income level of members or targeted service beneficiaries (Is income below the federal poverty level?); (2) the assets of the members (Are they relatively low?); and (3) and the type of services provided by the organization.

San Francisco Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area
131 Steuart St., Suite 400
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 543-9444
lccr.com

Serves organizations that provide assistance to low-income persons.

California Lawyers for the Arts
Fort Mason Center Bldg. C, Rm. 255
San Francisco, CA 94123
(415) 775-7200
calawyersforthearts.org

California Lawyers for the Arts is a nonprofit organization that provides arts organizations and artists of all disciplines with a wide range of legal services at fees that are affordable.

San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program
1333 7th Avenue
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 231-8585
sdcba.org

Same eligibility requirements as Legal Aid Societies. Services are limited only to organizational and operational problems of charitable groups. Needs will be assessed and referral to other services provided.

Center for Nonprofit Management
1000 N. Alameda Street, Suite 250
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 687-7159
cnmsocal.org

The center helps nonprofit organizations through training to develop leadership and management skills, address staff recruitment and retention issues, cope with organizational changes and promote collaboration and communication.

California Association of Nonprofits
1500 41st Ave., Ste. 280
Capitola, CA 95010
(800) 776-4226
canonprofits.org

The California Association of Nonprofits (CAN) is a statewide membership organization of over 1,700 diverse nonprofits dedicated to protecting, strengthening, and promoting nonprofit organizations in the state.

Independent Sector
independentsector.org

Independent Sector is a nonpartisan coalition of some 500 organizations that provides a leadership forum for charities, foundations and corporate giving programs.

National Center for Charitable Statistics (NCCS)
nccsdataweb.urban.org

Center offers fundraising research and training. Since 1915, the Center, with its donor partners, has supported nonprofit organizations and public institutions with funds for health and human services, affordable housing, early childhood education, community arts and culture and other areas of need.

United Way

Many local United Ways offer management and technical assistance programs for interested charitable organizations. Charities do not have to be funded by United Way to participate in these training programs. For additional information, contact the United Way in your area.

California Community Foundation Funding Information Center
445 South Figueroa Street, Suite 3400
Los Angeles, CA 90071
(213) 413-4130
calfund.org

Center offers fundraising research and training. Since 1915, the Center with its donor partners has supported nonprofit organizations and public institutions with funds for health and human services, affordable housing, early childhood education, community arts and culture and other areas of need.

Clearinghouse for Volunteer Accounting Services
920 Hampshire Road, Suite A-29
Westlake Village, CA 91361
(805) 495-6755
cvas-usa.org

Organization provides assistance to small nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, including technical assistance on tax filing reports, financial reports, budget and cash-flow projections, internal control systems-data base management and installation to evaluation and revision of accounting systems. Clearinghouse will review audits or assist in placing a volunteer accountant on the charity's board of directors.

Southern California Grantmakers
1000 North Alameda Street, Suite 230
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 680-8866
socalgrantmakers.org

Nonprofit membership association of private-sector grant makers serving Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties. Offers programs on a wide range of issues that have included best practices, accountability, grant administration and grantee relations.