{"id":25001,"date":"2022-12-08T06:00:09","date_gmt":"2022-12-08T14:00:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pro-migration.local\/?p=25001"},"modified":"2025-06-10T11:35:50","modified_gmt":"2025-06-10T18:35:50","slug":"nonprofit-bylaws","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gofundme.to\/__proxy\/pro.gofundme.com\/c\/blog\/nonprofit-bylaws\/","title":{"rendered":"Nonprofit Bylaws: A Beginner’s Complete Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

Everyone has to play by the rules, including nonprofits. Nonprofit bylaws establish procedures, structures, requirements, and guidelines for how it operates. In other words, it keeps everyone accountable for their actions and prevents conflict and confusion.<\/span><\/p>\n

Avoid the temptation to copy and paste old sample bylaws from the internet. While these can provide a good starting point, it\u2019s better to tailor your laws to your nonprofit organization. After all, we don\u2019t want your nonprofit bylaws to end up like \u201cthe code\u201d in <\/span>Pirates of the Caribbean\u2014<\/span><\/i>loose, misinterpreted, and broken more often than not.<\/span><\/p>\n

We\u2019ll help you escape mutiny and disagreement by walking you through everything you need to know about nonprofit bylaws as this is a facet of your overall nonprofit business plan<\/a>. Below, we\u2019ll get into what these are, why these matter, and how to write your own.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What Are Nonprofit Bylaws?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Nonprofit bylaws (aka bylaws and articles of organization) explain how your organization operates. These rules explain the election process for <\/span>board members<\/span><\/a>, board meeting guidelines and frequency, compensation disclosures, indemnity clauses, and more.<\/span><\/p>\n

Simply put, it\u2019s an operating manual for running your nonprofit.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While your bylaws don\u2019t have to be publicly accessible, many organizations share them to increase <\/span>nonprofit transparency<\/span><\/a> and trust. Donors, constituents, and supporters like to know what happens behind the scenes.<\/span><\/p>\n

The nonprofit board of directors is responsible for compiling your nonprofit\u2019s bylaws. Ideally, it did this thoroughly <\/span>when forming the organization<\/span><\/a>. If not, don\u2019t panic\u2014you can amend your bylaws at any time, although we recommend reviewing and making edits periodically.<\/span><\/p>\n

Then, there\u2019s the law.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Federal law <\/span>doesn\u2019t require any specific language<\/span><\/a> in bylaws, but some states have specific requirements. For example, New York has audit requirements, restrictions on who can be the board chairperson, and nonnegotiable procedures for managing conflicts of interest.<\/span><\/p>\n

Other states have more lenient requirements. For example, Colorado doesn\u2019t require nonprofits to organize bylaws. However, if nonprofits don\u2019t establish rules, the state will subject the nonprofit to general ruling and organization laws.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why Do Nonprofits Have Bylaws?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Nonprofit bylaws are essential to your formation and longevity. Without these preestablished rules, there\u2019s no guidance for how individuals should conduct themselves. There would also be no way to hold the organization or leaders accountable for their actions.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are a handful of reasons nonprofits <\/span>need<\/span><\/i> bylaws:<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n