SAMPLE BYLAWS - OF - (A California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation)

Sep 3, 2026

Upload by Aria

This sample bylaws template sets out governing provisions for a California nonprofit public benefit corporation, covering the corporation’s name, charitable purposes, incidental powers, and limits on prohibited or non-charitable activities. It defines the principal office location, permits branch offices, and requires nonprofit and nonpartisan operation without substantial propaganda or political campaign intervention. It also addresses irrevocable dedication of assets, restrictions on private inurement, and eligibility and use of the term “members.”

LanguageEnglish

CategoryForms

FormatDOCX

Pages15

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

ARTICLE 1: NAME

ARTICLE 2: PURPOSES

ARTICLE 3: PRINCIPAL OFFICE

ARTICLE 4: NONPARTISAN ACTIVITIES

ARTICLE 5: DEDICATION OF ASSETS

ARTICLE 6: MEMBERSHIP

ARTICLE 7: BOARD OF DIRECTORS

SAMPLE BYLAWS OF ______________________________________ (A California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation) ARTICLE 1: NAME The name of this corporation is ___________________________________________. ARTICLE 2: PURPOSES This corporation has been formed for the charitable purposes of _______________, as stated in greater detail in Article II of this corporation’s Articles of Incorporation. In addition, this corporation is formed for the purposes of performing all things incidental to, or appropriate in, the achievement of the foregoing specific and primary purposes. However, the corporation shall not, except to an insubstantial degree, engage in any activities or exercise any powers that are not in furtherance of its primary charitable purposes. This corporation shall hold and may exercise all such powers as may be conferred upon a nonprofit corporation by the laws of the State of California and as may be necessary or expedient for the administration of the affairs and attainment of the purposes of the corporation. In no event shall the corporation engage in activities which are not permitted to be carried on by a corporation exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. ARTICLE 3: PRINCIPAL OFFICE The initial principal office of the corporation shall be located in the County of Monterey, State of California. The Board of Directors may at any time, or from time to time, change the location of the principal office from one location to another within said county. The Board of Directors may at any time establish branch offices at any place where the corporation is qualified to do business. ARTICLE 4: NONPARTISAN ACTIVITIES This corporation has been formed under the California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation Law (the “Law”) for the charitable purposes described above, and it shall be nonprofit and nonpartisan. No substantial part of the activities of the corporation shall consist of the carrying on of propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation. The corporation shall not participate or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office. ARTICLE 5: DEDICATION OF ASSETS The properties and assets of this nonprofit corporation are irrevocably dedicated to charitable purposes. No part of the net earnings, properties, or assets of this corporation, on dissolution or otherwise, shall inure to the benefit of any private person or individual, or any member, director or officer of this corporation. On liquidation or dissolution, all remaining properties and assets of the corporation shall be distributed and paid over to an organization dedicated to charitable purposes which has established its tax-exempt status under Section 50l(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. ARTICLE 6: MEMBERSHIP The corporation shall not have any members within the meaning of Section 5056 of the California Corporations Code. The corporation may from time to time use the term “members” to refer to persons associated with it, but such persons shall not be members within the meaning of Section 5056 of the California Corporations Code. ARTICLE 7: BOARD OF DIRECTORS Section 1. Powers. Subject to the provisions and limitations of the Law and any other applicable laws, the business and affairs of the corporation shall be managed, and all corporate powers shall be exercised, by or under the direction of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may delegate the management of the day-to-day operation of the business of the corporation to another group or person, provided that the activities and affairs of the corporation shall be managed and all corporate powers shall be exercised under the ultimate direction of the Board of Directors. Section 2. Number of Directors. The authorized number of directors of the corporation shall not be less than ______ nor more than ______, until changed by amendment of the Articles of Incorporation or these bylaws. Section 3. Election, De

FAQs

What are the charitable purposes and activity limitations described in these sample bylaws?

The bylaws state the corporation is formed for specific charitable purposes and related incidental powers, but it must not engage in activities outside furtherance of its primary charitable purposes. Activities must also be permitted for a corporation exempt under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3).

Where is the corporation’s initial principal office located, and can it be changed?

The initial principal office is in Monterey County, State of California. The Board of Directors may change the location within that county and may establish branch offices where the corporation is qualified to do business.

How do the bylaws address nonpartisan requirements for political activity?

The corporation is required to be nonprofit and nonpartisan, with no substantial part of activities consisting of propaganda or attempts to influence legislation. It must not participate or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office.

Sep 3, 2026

Upload by Aria