About Us
Experienced Legal Counsel for Charities
California Center for Nonprofit Law advises churches, ministries, charities, schools, foundations, and other mission-driven organizations on formation, governance, tax-exempt status, and compliance with state and federal law.
We represent a wide range of charity organizations, including educational institutions, trade groups, business leagues, social welfare organizations, poverty relief organizations, museums, and churches.
National Charity Registration grew from this work. Many states require charitable solicitation registration before an organization asks residents for donations. Each jurisdiction sets unique rules and renewal deadlines. Missed filings lead to fines, late fees, loss of registration, and damaged donor relationships. Our team helps leaders keep fundraising compliant so mission work continues without avoidable disruption.
Meet Myron Steeves, Founder
Myron Steeves founded California Center for Nonprofit Law and serves as managing attorney. He graduated from Biola University and Georgetown University Law Center. He serves as Dean Emeritus at Trinity Law School, a Christian law school devoted to a biblical view of human law and government.
Myron brings long experience in nonprofit and faith-based service, including prior work as a Christian missionary in the Middle East. He speaks on Christianity and the law, legal careers as tools for Christian ministry, and law and public policy. His teaching and speaking focus on nonprofit organizations, religious liberty, and governance for churches and ministries.
Clients benefit from practical guidance, a strong theological framework, and decades of nonprofit law experience.
Our History
California Center for Nonprofit Law began to serve churches and nonprofit organizations in California with focused legal support. The practice now represents nonprofit organizations across the country, including charities, educational institutions, churches, trade groups, business leagues, social welfare organizations, poverty relief organizations, and museums.
Running a nonprofit creates steady legal questions. Staff turnover, employment agreements, and severance terms require careful review. Organizations often form related entities to hold property or other assets. Accidents and claims raise liability questions and drain program funds. Ongoing legal compliance protects long-term organizational health.
Nonprofit law changes often at both state and federal levels. Our team tracks those changes and helps clients update governance documents, fundraising practices, and internal policies to meet new requirements.
National Charity Registration Focus
Charities raise funds through direct mail, events, grant requests, membership drives, and online donation pages. State regulators treat each of these methods as charitable solicitation, and many jurisdictions require registration or an approved exemption before an organization asks residents for support.
California Center for Nonprofit Law built National Charity Registration to bring state charitable solicitation rules together in one place. The site provides a state-by-state overview of requirements, links to official state resources, and plain-language guidance for leaders who manage fundraising.
Penalties for unregistered solicitation often include fines, late fees, loss of solicitation privileges, and strained relationships with donors and grantmakers. Our team advises boards and executives on risk, fixes gaps through catch-up filings when appropriate, and designs fundraising compliance plans that match operational reality.
Why Choose California Center for Nonprofit Law?
California Center for Nonprofit Law focuses on governance, charitable solicitation registration, and fundraising compliance for churches and nonprofit organizations. This focus shapes how our team advises boards, executives, and staff.
Nonprofit And Church Focus
Our practice centers on church and religious organization law, nonprofit law, and nonprofit political activity law. Clients receive guidance from formation through governance and public engagement.
Broad Experience Across The Nonprofit Sector
We represent charities, churches, schools and universities, trade groups, business leagues, think tanks, social welfare organizations, poverty relief organizations, and museums. This range gives our team familiarity with many board structures and funding models.
Compliance First Mindset
We emphasize compliance with nonprofit laws and regulations, including corporate governance, tax-exempt rules, and state charitable solicitation requirements. Our team monitors legal changes and helps organizations update practices and policies in response.
Faith Informed Legal Advice
Myron Steeves and members of the team bring experience in Christian ministry and theological education. This background supports legal guidance that respects religious conviction while addressing regulatory duties.
Collaborative Team Support
Clients receive support from attorneys and paralegals focused on nonprofit and church work. The team brings experience in nonprofit law, business law, education, finance, and administration.
What Our Clients Say
“When we started our new church, Candlestick Church of Rancho Cucamonga, California, we needed trusted legal guidance to ensure we were building a strong and compliant foundation for our ministry. Their expertise and support were invaluable, helping us navigate every step with confidence. We’re so grateful, their guidance truly made all the difference in our success!”
“I was comfortable from the first contact with Church Law Center. We needed to go through dissolution of our church, which by itself was an incredibly emotional thing to have to do. Then add the complexity of the forms and process for proper filing, we knew that we needed help. A task that felt incredibly overwhelming was made much easier by Myron and his team. They were able to answer our questions and handled everything for us. I would highly recommend them to anyone.”
“Through a “minor” miracle, our parachurch non-profit was put in contact with Myron and his staff. After the initial consultation, we knew they were the right fit for our needs. Their knowledge and experience are tremendous. The work they did through consultations and organizational document revision has not only put us in good legal stead but has given us a peace of mind that had been missing for some time. Now, we are pressing forward with renewed confidence!”