Nonprofit Attorney
Delina Yasmeh advises California nonprofit founders on 501(c)(3) formation, governance, compliance, and the ongoing legal requirements that keep tax-exempt status intact.
Get Started →Formation is one day's work. Governance lasts as long as the organization does.
Most people focus on the IRS application. The more important documents are the ones that govern how your nonprofit operates after you receive your determination letter: the bylaws, the conflict of interest policy, the executive compensation procedures, and the board committee structures.
California adds its own layer of complexity. In addition to federal requirements, California nonprofits must register with the Attorney General's Registry of Charitable Trusts, file biennial statements with the Secretary of State, and comply with state-specific requirements around charitable solicitation and fundraising.
Delina works with nonprofit founders who want to build a organization that can sustain audits, board changes, and growth, not just clear the initial formation hurdle.
Legal infrastructure for nonprofits built to last.
501(c)(3) Formation & IRS Application
California nonprofit formation requires filing Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State, obtaining a federal EIN, and submitting IRS Form 1023 or 1023-EZ for tax-exempt status. Delina handles the full process.
Bylaws & Governance Documents
Bylaws are not boilerplate. They govern how your board makes decisions, how officers are appointed, and what happens when something goes wrong. Delina drafts bylaws built for how your organization actually operates.
Conflict of Interest & Compensation Policies
The IRS requires nonprofits to have documented conflict of interest policies. Executive compensation must be set through a specific process to qualify as reasonable. Delina drafts these documents so you are protected from the start.
Ongoing Compliance Counsel
California nonprofits must file annual reports with the Attorney General, maintain their registered agent, and file IRS Form 990 each year. Delina advises on the legal requirements that keep your tax-exempt status intact.
What most people want to know.
Do I need a lawyer to start a nonprofit in California?
Technically no, but the IRS application process, California registration requirements, and governance document requirements are complex enough that most nonprofits formed without legal counsel have structural problems that surface later. Delina advises founders to engage legal counsel before filing, not after the IRS sends a rejection or a board dispute reveals that the bylaws don't cover what they thought they covered.
How much does it cost to set up a nonprofit in California?
California nonprofit formation involves a $30 filing fee for Articles of Incorporation, an $800 initial franchise tax payment, a $25 registration fee with the Attorney General, and IRS Form 1023 fees of $275 or $600 depending on which form applies. Attorney fees vary based on the complexity of the organization. Delina structures her engagement through a tailored engagement model.
What are the ongoing legal requirements for a California nonprofit?
California nonprofits must file a biennial Statement of Information with the Secretary of State, register annually with the Attorney General's Registry of Charitable Trusts, maintain required governance documents, and hold board meetings as specified in the bylaws. Federal requirements include annual Form 990 filing. These requirements begin immediately after formation, not years later.
Further reading on nonprofit.
How do I apply for a 501c3?
501c3 application process explained without the fluff. Learn what it actually takes, what it costs, and when to stop DIYing it.
How Hard Is It to Set Up a 501c3?
How hard is it to start a non-profit in California?
How much does a 501c3 application cost?
Ready to build your nonprofit on a legal foundation that lasts?
Delina works with nonprofit founders who want to get the governance right from the beginning, not after the first board dispute or IRS inquiry. Tell us your situation, your organization and what proper formation looks like.
Get Started →