Nonprofit Formation Templates for 501(c)(3) Organizations (Editable Documents)
Nonprofit Formation Templates
Attorney-drafted nonprofit formation templates to properly form and organize a 501(c)(3) nonprofit — without hiring a lawyer.
Includes bylaws, board resolutions, conflict of interest policy, IRS Form 1023 readiness checklist, and essential governance documents.
Designed by a nonprofit attorney.
Clear, IRS-aligned, and ready to customize in Google Docs or Microsoft Word.
✔ Works in all 50 states
✔ Board-ready, real-world documents
✔ Built for founders, boards, and early teams
What’s Included
✔ Nonprofit Bylaws
– California version
– 50-state model version
✔ Board Formation & Governance Documents
– Initial Board Written Consent
– First Board Meeting Agenda & Minutes
– Board Officer Role Descriptions
– Board Member Role Description
– Board Member Engagement Letter
✔ Policies & Compliance
– Conflict of Interest Policy
– IRS-compliant articles language addendum
✔ Financial & Operational Setup
– Banking Resolution
– Initial 1-Year Budget Template
– 1-Year Organizational Plan
✔ IRS & Filing Readiness
– IRS Form 1023 / 1023-EZ Readiness Checklist
– Filing & Next Steps Checklist
All documents are editable, clearly labeled, and designed to work together as a complete formation system.
Who This Is For
• Founders starting a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
• Boards formalizing an existing project
• Fiscal sponsors spinning off programs
• Early-stage nonprofits preparing for IRS exemption
• Organizations that want attorney-level structure without attorney-level cost
Why This Costs More Than a Book — and Less Than a Lawyer
These templates reflect the actual documents attorneys use when forming and organizing nonprofit organizations.
Hiring a lawyer to draft or review this set typically costs $1,500–$5,000+.
This pack gives you the same structural foundation at a fraction of the cost — without sacrificing quality.
You’re paying for:
- Attorney-drafted language (not generic templates)
- IRS-compliant governance structure
- Documents that work together as a system
- Time saved — and mistakes avoided later
If you want to do this right — but efficiently — this pack is designed for you.
These nonprofit formation templates are designed for U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations and cover nonprofit bylaws, board governance, conflict of interest policies, IRS Form 1023 preparation, and foundational compliance requirements.
Whether you’re starting a nonprofit for the first time or formalizing an existing project, these templates help you establish a compliant, professional foundation.