This page provides guides, sample policies, state compliance resources, and checklists for nonprofits and community-based organizations of all sizes. If you do not find what you are looking for, please contact us and we will do our best to connect you with additional resources.
While we would love to assist everyone, please note our legal services are intended for 501c3 and 501c4 Washington state based nonprofits and community based organizations.
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: Please note the resources below are for reference purposes only. An organization should always consult tailor this information to their specific needs. If you need consultation with an attorney or subject matter expert, we may be able to help provide you with one (that’s what we do).
Updates on the New Washington Nonprofit Corporation Act
Washington’s legislature significantly updated the Nonprofit Corporation Act (RCW 24.03A)! Nonprofits are automatically governed by the new act on January 1, 2022. Here are some resources:
- Legal Alert: Important Changes to Washington Nonprofit Law! (1-3-2022)
- 2022 Washington Nonprofit Corporations Act Summary (12-3-2021)
- Click here to view our 12.2.21 webinar: What’s New with the Washington Nonprofit Corporation Act. Hosted in partnership with Washington Nonprofits and the Secretary of State’s Office, this 1.5 hour webinar gives an overview of the new act. Presented by Apex Law Group.
- Washington Secretary of State Corporations and Charities Division notice on changes to forms.
- Check out our upcoming trainings on the new act!
Coming soon: updates to some of our toolkits, founding documents and templates, and other resources provided below in 2022!
Full Toolkits
Communities Rise has created, or partnered with additional organizations to create, full toolkits on a range of nonprofit subjects.
- Washington State Nonprofit Handbook (a new addition with changes based on the new Washington Nonprofit Corporation Act will be coming out in 2022)
- Starting a New Nonprofit Toolkit – Created in collaboration with Washington Nonprofits as a resource for anyone thinking about starting a NPO. (pending new changes to be released in 2022)
- Let’s Go Legal – A nonprofit law learning series, which includes 5 short videos and accompanying written materials on State Law, Federal Law, Fundraising, Employment and Intellectual Property. (pending new changes to be released in 2022)
- Washington State Tax Basics for Nonprofits – Created in collaboration with Washington Nonprofits explaining the state taxes that Washington nonprofits are subject to.
- Liquor, Cannabis, Gambling… and Your Fundraising Event – This tool that helps nonprofits navigate the complex rules of liquor, cannabis and gambling at events.
- Nonprofit Legal Checklist – helps nonprofits understand common legal obligations and highlights areas where greater inquiry should be made (pending new changes to be released in 2022).
- Commercial Lease Toolkit – This toolkit is designed to provide key, easy-to-understand information for small businesses about common terms or sections of a typical commercial lease.
- Community Collaboration Toolkit – This toolkit was created in partnership with Communities of Opportunity and is designed to help community organizations create a Community Collaboration Agreement (also known in the nonprofit sector as an “MOU”) for collaborations between community organizations, who are coming together for a common purpose or project.
- Alternative Leadership Toolkit – This toolkit was created in partnership with Communities of Opportunity and designed to help community organizations learn and explore alternative leadership structures that share power and decision-making.
- Human Resources and Equity Toolkit – This toolkit was created in partnership with Communities of Opportunity and explores three human resources areas with an equity lens: 1) Compensation, 2) Performance Reviews, and 3) Wellness.
COVID-19 Resources
Communities Rise is providing a range of resources and support for organizations and small businesses during the COVID-19 crisis. Please check out these pages for more information about what you can find on our website or how you access additional support.
Founding Documents and Templates
- Sample Articles of Incorporation – Without Members for a Washington State nonprofit organization without members (pending new changes to be released in 2022)
- Sample Articles of Incorporation – With Members for a Washington State nonprofit organization with members (pending new changes to be released in 2022)
- Sample Bylaws – Without Members for a Washington State nonprofit organization without members (pending new changes to be released in 2022)
- Sample Bylaws – With Members for a Washington State nonprofit organization with members (pending new changes to be released in 2022)
- American Bar Association – Alternatives to Forming a Charitable Nonprofit article.
- Washington Secretary of State – information on WA Nonprofits and information on WA Charities.
- IRS Resources – FAQs About Applying for Tax Exemption and Fee for Tax Exemption information.
- Washington State Tax Basics for Nonprofits – Created in collaboration with Washington Nonprofits explaining the state taxes that Washington nonprofits are subject to.
- Starting a New Nonprofit Toolkit– Created in collaboration with Washington Nonprofits as a resource for anyone thinking about starting a NP(pending new changes to be released in 2022).
Governance & Organizational Policies
- Nonprofit Legal Checklist – helps nonprofits understand common legal obligations and highlights areas where greater inquiry should be made (pending new changes to be released in 2022).
- Let’s Go Legal – A nonprofit law learning series, which includes 5 short videos and accompanying written materials on State Law, Federal Law, Fundraising, Employment and Intellectual Property. (pending new changes to be released in 2022)
- Washington State Nonprofit Handbook (a new addition with changes based on the new Washington Nonprofit Corporation Act will be coming out in 2022)
- Document Retention Sample Policy
- Conflict of Interest Sample Policy
- Webinar on Conflicts of Interest: Learn what exactly is a “conflict of interest” and what you should do if your nonprofit has a “conflict of interest. In partnership with Washington Nonprofits.
- Sample Terms of Use
- Sample Unanimous Consent Initial Meeting provides written consent for organizational meeting of board of directors.
- Nonprofit Management in Washington FAQ provides general information about a variety of topics including board meetings & members, voting and bank accounts.
Employment & Human Resources
- Harassment Sample Policy
- Social Media Sample Policy
- Whistleblower Sample Policy
- Independent Contractor Checklist – [description]
Intellectual Property
- Intellectual Property and Confidentiality Sample Agreement
- Sample Release of Intellectual Property Rights
- Photo Release Sample
Fundraising
- Check out this list of Funding Opportunities
- Raffle FAQs from the Washington State Gambling Commission
- Liquor, Cannabis, Gambling… and Your Fundraising Event – This tool that helps nonprofits navigate the complex rules of liquor, cannabis and gambling at events.
- The Special Occasion License, Banquet Permits and Catering Information Sheet from the Washington State liquor and Cannabis Board provides information on when you need a license for an event.
- Webinar on Gambling and Fundraising – Join Special Agent Brian Lane for a primer on raffles and other gambling-related fundraising activities. This will explain what is considered gambling and what nonprofits need to do and be aware of when using gambling-related fundraising activities. In partnership with Washington Nonprofits.
Additional Services & Resources from Partner Orgs
- 501Commons offers board trainings and nonprofit leadership forums geared towards executive directors, board members, and potential board members.
- Washington Nonprofits (WN) is a Washington state-wide nonprofit association. WN offers trainings for nonprofits on a variety of topic areas throughout the state and online.
- Seattle Public Library has free resources, services, and customized assistance for nonprofits.
- BIPOC Executive Directors Coalition of Washington State (BIPOC EDs), a coalition created in 2020 to advocate for equitable funding to BIPOC communities and to create space for healing and wellness.
- Statewide Nonprofit Resource Directory for nonprofit specialists, tools and best practices, featured trainings, a venues map, and more.
- List of additional capacity builder organizations
- Delta Vision Project. The Delta Vision is a collaboration of BIPOC led and serving capacity building organizations working on creating a supportive network of capacity building services for BIPOC led and serving community organizations in Washington and working together to address inequities in the nonprofit sector. The Delta Vision researched and authored a “Paper of Color” on capacity building for BIPOC led and serving organizations.
- Delta Vision Project – Building Capacity for Communities of Color (2018) Full Report
- Delta Vision Project – Building Capacity for Communities of Color (2018) Executive Summary