The first step in our comprehensive guide, How to Start a Nonprofit Company in California, is to choose a name for your nonprofit organization. Choosing the appropriate name is one of the most significant considerations any 501(c)(3) founder will make. We’re here to assist with our comprehensive guide on selecting, authenticating, and registering a California charity name in four simple stages.
In 4 Simple Steps, Name Your Nonprofit
It is simple to name your California nonprofit. Simply follow these four easy steps to get the greatest name for your 501(c)(3) organization (3).
GO AHEAD.
Step 1: Select an Appropriate Name for Your Nonprofit
Step 2: Adhere to the California Nonprofit Naming Rules.
Step 3: Determine whether your company’s name is available.
Step 4: Register the Name of Your Nonprofit
Step 1: Select an Appropriate Name for Your Nonprofit
It is critical to choose the correct name for your firm. We suggest following these recommendations when selecting a name that best symbolizes your nonprofit’s goal and purpose:
Make your point. The name of a charity should be straightforward and detailed enough to express its objective. Avoid employing ambiguous phrases or concepts that may mislead funders and potential customers about the objective of your organization.
Make it unforgettable. When choosing a name for a firm, rememberability is critical. Choosing a name that will stay in the minds of individuals who hear it can not only increase your nonprofit’s awareness among contributors and volunteers, but will also make it simpler for prospective customers to locate your services.
Maintain a professional demeanor. Nonprofits depend largely on their public image to attract funders or consumers who may need their services — and their initial impression will be based on the name of your organization. As a result, your organization need a professional name that conveys a genuine commitment to its goal and purpose.
Make it personal. Whether your organization serves animals, displaced people, or any other group, emotion and compassion are inextricably linked. Choosing a name that appeals to the emotions of both contributors and customers can aid in the development of trust and the legitimacy of your company.
Step 2: Adhere to the California Nonprofit Naming Rules.
The majority of charities in California are structured as corporations, but you may also form a nonprofit as an unincorporated organization, a trust, an association, or a limited liability company (LLC). You must adhere to specified naming standards for each choice.
This article will concentrate on the prerequisites for naming a nonprofit company.
Requirements for a Company Name
The most frequent technique to create a nonprofit is to incorporate. While corporate name restrictions vary by state, several criteria apply worldwide. California state standards include the following:
The name of your company must be distinct from any other name on record in the state of California, including any reserved names.
The words “corporation,” “company,” “incorporated,” “limited,” or an abbreviation of any of these keywords must appear in the name of your corporation.
Your company’s name cannot include any terms associated to the US Olympic Committee, such as ‘Olympic,’ ‘Olympiad,’ or ‘Citius Altius Fortius.’
Your company’s name cannot include the terms “university,” “bank,” “credit union,” or “trust” as a single word to indicate that the organization is involved in banking or trust.
Your company’s name cannot include any phrases that might be regarded very derogatory.
Requirements for Tax Exemption
Pay special attention to the terminology of your nonprofit’s name if you want to apply for tax-exempt status with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Any statements that indicate a political or lobbying connection may make it difficult for you to apply for 501(c)(3) status.
Step 3: Check to See If Your Company Name Is Available
After you’ve decided on one or more names for your organization, check to see whether they’re still available. Every charity must have a distinct name, therefore it’s a good idea to check the availability of your preferred name before incorporating.
The top four searches you should do are as follows:
Business Search in California Domain Name Search Federal Trademark Search Web and Social Media Search
California Corporation Lookup
A nonprofit company in California must have a distinct name. You may quickly verify whether your desired name is available by utilizing the California Business Search tool.
Domain Name Lookup
We highly advise you to additionally check to see whether your company name is accessible as a web domain (URL). Even if you don’t intend to construct a company website right away, you should purchase the domain name to prevent others from gaining it. It’s a completely free search.
Federal Trademark Lookup
Using the federal Trademark Electronic Search System, you may quickly see whether your preferred charity name has already been trademarked. Even if you do not intend to incorporate a nonprofit right away, this is essential.
You may register for a trademark for your organization after you have confirmed that no one else has previously trademarked your selected name.
If you need assistance in creating a logo for your organization, consider branding your company with our Free Logo Generator! Get a one-of-a-kind logo in minutes and begin creating your nonprofit’s identity right now.
Search the Web and Social Media
A good social media presence can help you reach out to prospective contributors or customers who will employ your services. As a result, before registering your preferred name, check the web and prominent social media platforms for it to confirm it is accessible on all platforms where you want to advertise your group.
Step 4: Register the Name of Your Nonprofit
After you’ve decided on a name for your charity and confirmed its availability, the following step is to register the name. You have many choices for registering your name:
Fill out a Name Reservation Form for a Corporation Fill out a DBA Name
Request a Name Reservation
Domestic nonprofit companies in California are not needed to register for a name reservation prior to formation. However, reserving a name might be advantageous, particularly if you aren’t ready to incorporate but want to assure the availability of your preferred name.
To make a name reservation in the state of California, follow these steps:
Mail a completed Name Reservation Request to the California Secretary of State, together with a $10 filing fee.
Alternatively, you may submit the form in person. Aside from the $10 filing cost. A supplementary, non-refundable $10 special handling charge must be included with each drop-off request.
Name reservations for nonprofit businesses in California are valid for 60 days and may be renewed.
Create a Corporation
Incorporating is the most frequent method to create a charity, and it is the next step in making your organization official once you have chosen a name. In California, there are a few simple stages to forming a corporation:
Your Company’s Name
Select a Registered Agent
Select the Initial Directors and Share Structure for Your Corporation
Deposit the Formation Documents
Obtain an EIN
Request a DBA Name
In California, filing a fake business name, also known as a doing business as (DBA) name, permits your organization to operate under a name other than its actual, registered company name. This is particularly useful if you wish to modify the name of an existing organization without amending its Articles of Incorporation.