Below are some resources for Nonprofits - The first four should be checked annually as well as before you join a board.
Below is a link to check a nonprofit's status with the California Secretary of State (check corporation):
https://bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov/search/business
Below is a link to check a nonprofit's status with the California Attorney General's office:
http://rct.doj.ca.gov/Verification/Web/Search.aspx?facility=Y
Below is a link to check a nonprofit's status with the IRS:
Below is a link to check a nonprofit's status with the California Franchise Tax Board:
https://www.ftb.ca.gov/help/business/entity-status-letter.asp
Below is a link to the IRS's page to file the Form 990N (aka e-postcard) for Tax Exempt organizations with less than $50,000 in gross revenues:
Below is a link to the California FTB's page to file the Form 199N (aka e-postcard) for Tax Exempt organizations with less than $50,000 in gross revenues:
https://www.ftb.ca.gov/file/business/types/charities-nonprofits/199N.asp
Below is a link to the Form RRF-1 on the California Attorney General's website. This form must be filed annually (Form 990 or 990-ez should be attached to this filing):
https://oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/agweb/pdfs/charities/charitable/rrf1_form.pdf
The RRF-1 can now be filed online as well at http://rct.doj.ca.gov/eGov/Login.aspx.
Nonprofits with gross receipts less than $50,000 now must file Form CT-TR-1 along with their Form RRF-1 (note this is not required for organizations over $50,000 as they attach their 990 or 990-ez):
https://oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/agweb/pdfs/charities/charitable/ct-tr1-form.pdf
Here's a link to techsoup an organization that makes discounted software available to Tax Exempt organizations:
Sales and Use Tax Basics for Various Types of Nonprofit Organizations (on the California Department of Taxes and Fees website):
https://www.cdtfa.ca.gov/formspubs/pub18.pdf
The two websites below can be used to access prior year's tax returns and find other information about Tax Exempt organizations:
Below are some templates for policies that most nonprofits should have: