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  • California Public Benefit Non Profit Corporations

Before Proceeding:

Blue shading and * designate required fields: you must enter something in all required fields to submit the form. If you don't have an answer to a required field, enter "n/a" or "?".

Primary Contact for Correspondence from Formation Solutions

(For contact from Formation Solutions: questions, clarifications, etc. Official company contact info is collected further down.)

First Name *
Last Name *
Email *
Office Phone
Mobile/Alternate Phone

Please provide at least one phone number.

Legal Address for Company

This contact information will be given when filing paperwork with the state, county, the IRS and other agencies.
   Name of principal
   officer		 *
   Address *
   City *
   State *
   Zip Code *
   Daytime Phone *
   Fax Number
   County *

Name of Company


The name of the corporation must contain the word "corporation", "incorporated" or "limited" or an abbreviation of one of such words. The name must not be likely to mislead the public, be the same as, or resemble so closely as to lead to deception, the name of a domestic or qualified foreign corporation, a name under reservation, or the registered or assumed name of a foreign corporation. The name would need Superintendent of Bank's approval if it contained the words "Bank," "Trust," or "Trustee."

(Case and punctuation are important: submit exactly what you'd like.)

First Choice *
Second Choice *
Third Choice

State of Formation *
   
Please describe your business briefly.
*

501(c)(3) Information

Formation Solutions forms nonprofits as 501(c)(3) corporations, unless you specify a different IRS nonprofit classification. 501(c)(3) nonprofits must be organized for some religious, charitable, educational, literary, or scientific purpose in order to qualify for federal tax-exempt status. To see a chart of IRS nonprofit classifications (in a separate window), click here. IRS discussion of Exemption Requirements are discussed here.)

If you want your nonprofit to be formed under a different IRS classification from 501(c)(3), please include the appropriate classification below in the field for your business purpose description.

Your Public Benefit Corporation to be formed for: *

public purposes,
charitable purposes, or
both public and charitable purposes
don't know

Business Purpose:
The business purpose for your nonprofit corporation will be listed in the Articles of Incorporation. We can provide some guidance and examples if you wish. For specific advice, please consult an attorney or accountant.

(Be brief: one or two sentences. This is a short, formal statement meant only to satisfy state law requirements. You will provide much more detail on your nonprofit purposes and activities in your tax exemption applications.)
*

Fictitious Business Name

For most companies, the corporation name is the name you will "do business as," so there is no need for a Fictitious Business Name, also known as a DBA. However, if you wish to "do business as" another name, please list your name choices here.

If you do not require a DBA, skip this section.

   First Choice
   Second Choice
Check this box if there are more than two business names to register. (We will collect the other DBA's separately.)

Registered Agent

California requires corporations to name a Resident Agent for Service of Process in the Articles of Organization. The registered agent must either be an individual having a physical location (PO Box not acceptable) in California and be available during normal business hours, or be a company registered with the Secretary of State to be an agent.

Formation Solutions, Inc. will act as Registered Agent for an annual fee of $125. Documents accepted by Formation Solutions, Inc. will be delivered to you by overnight mail, and the document will be emailed you as a scanned PDF. Indicate below if you'd prefer to have a different individual act as your agent.

We'll use Formation Solutions, Inc. as Agent.
We'd prefer to use the information below for our Agent.
  If you'd prefer to have a different individual act as your agent, complete this information. Otherwise, skip to next section.
Name   
  Do you want to copy principal business address here?
   Address
   City
   State
   Zip Code

Director Information

First Director  
   Name *
  Do you want to copy principal business address here?
   Address *
   City *
   State *
   Zip Code *
   
Second Director (if applicable)
   Name
  Do you want to copy principal business address here?
   Address
   City
   State
   Zip Code
   
Third Director (if applicable)
   Name
  Do you want to copy principal business address here?
   Address
   City
   State
   Zip Code
Check this box if there are more than three initial directors. (We will collect the other director's information separately.)

Officers

 Any number of offices may be held by the same person unless the articles or bylaws provide otherwise, except that neither the secretary nor the chief financial officer may serve concurrently as the president or chairman of the board.
   
CEO / President  
   Name *
  Do you want to copy principal business address here?
   Address *
   City *
   State *
   Zip Code *
   
Secretary  
   Name *
  Do you want to copy principal business address here?
   Address *
   City *
   State *
   Zip Code *
   
CFO / Treasurer  
   Name *
  Do you want to copy principal business address here?
   Address *
   City *
   State *
   Zip Code *
   

Employer Identification Number Issues

   
Does the entity plan to have employees? Yes No *
First date wages or annuities were paid or will be paid:

What is the highest number of employees expected in the next 12 months for each of the following categories?

      Agricultural Household Other

 

Check the one box that best describes the principal activity of the business:* one choice required

Construction
Rental & Leasing
Transportation & Warehousing
Health Care & Social Assistance
Real Estate
Manufacturing
Finance & Insurance
Accommodation & Food Service
Retail
Wholesale - Owner
Wholesale - Agent/Broker
Other (specify)

Indicate principal line of merchandise sold; specific construction work done; products produced; or services provided.

*

Closing month of accounting year: *

How did you hear about Formation Solutions?

Do you have any comments, complaints, or suggestions about this process?

We have great contacts with CPAs, attorney and other service firms. We can help make a good match for you if you need it. Would you like assistance with a referral to any of the following types of service firms?

Accountants   
Attorneys   
Digital Strategy & Web Development   
Social Media Marketing   
Payroll Specialists   

Authorization & Approval

  Important Disclaimer Information : Formation Solutions, Inc. is not a law firm, and it's employees and representatives are not attorneys. Neither Formation Solutions, Inc., nor any of its owners, employees, agents, or affiliates for whom it is responsible provide any legal services, legal representation or legal advice. The information and suggestions contained in this website have been developed from sources, including publications and research that are considered and believed to be reliable but cannot be guaranteed insofar as they apply to any particular individual, corporation, or taxpayer. Moreover, because of the technical nature of this material and the fact that laws and statutes are never static, but ever changing, the assistance of a competent, qualified lawyer or accountant is recommended when implementing these documents. This material does not constitute legal advice and should not be taken as or used as a substitute for the advice of competent legal counsel. Formation Solutions, Inc. specifically disclaims any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, that is incurred as a consequence of the use and/or application of the information in these documents.

I acknowledge that I have read and understand the above disclaimer information. I agree that Formation Solutions. Inc., nor its employees and agents have not provided any legal, tax or financial advice and that the information I have provided above is accurate. * required