Contents
What Is a Nonprofit?
How to Define Your Mission
How to Choose and Protect Your Nonprofit’s Name
How to Set Up Your Board
How to Write Your Articles of Incorporation
Nonprofit Tax Matters
How to Write Your Bylaws
Nonprofit Management and Operations Issues
Insurance for Your Nonprofit
Nonprofit Fundraising Basics
Nonprofit Publicity Basics
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How to Write Your Bylaws
Bylaws are written guidelines that offer instructions on how an organization will be managed and operated. They clearly articulate who on the staff or within the board has the authority to make certain decisions. Bylaws often include the following information:
- The organization’s name
- The organization’s purpose
- The number of directors and the length of their service
- How many people constitute a quorum
- The number and aims of standing committees
Whatever the content, bylaws are the framework that allows the organization to resolve disputes and work toward common objectives.
Bylaws are as diverse as the organizations that they govern. Before you draft your own bylaws, take a look at other organizations’ governing documents to get a feel for things you may wish to include or exclude, given your unique mission, resources, and challenges. A number of organizations, including the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits and the New York State Museum, post their bylaws online. Search online for “sample nonprofit bylaws” to find other examples.
Sample Bylaws Content
The following table offers examples of several kinds of bylaws you might want to include.
Category |
What to Include |
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Name and purpose |
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Membership |
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Board of directors |
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Board officers |
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Director and staff |
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Amendments |
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Dissolution |
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Typically, each of the above categories would be listed as a separate article. See your state’s guidelines for what should be included in your bylaws.
Bylaw Tips
Use the following guidelines when writing your bylaws:
- Follow instructions: Your state has specific guidelines for preparing this document, so follow them attentively.
- Keep it simple: Remember, your bylaws are meant simply to create a framework. You can use other operating documents, such as job descriptions and board policies, to cover more detailed information.
- Keep clarity before structure: Don’t get so bogged down with the formal structure of the bylaws that you forget to write as clearly and succinctly as possible. There should be no room for confusion or misinterpretation in this document.
- Reflect your organization: Your organization’s bylaws should mirror the complexity of your organization. National, member organizations need to outline many more procedures and practices than small, local charities.
- Understand that the bylaws will likely change: Bylaws are living documents in the sense that they should evolve with the needs and development of your organization over time.
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