The California Green Business Program is a network of local programs administered by counties and cities throughout California. Companies that apply receive personalized attention from the government agencies and utilities that serve them. The program is funded by contributions from local governments and utility partners to make it accessible to small and medium-sized businesses in California.

Certified green businesses exceed all environmental standards and implement special practices to reduce pollution, save water and energy, and protect public health. Led by a coalition of state, local, utility, and non-governmental organizations, the program achieves its mission by recognizing and promoting businesses that meet high standards of sustainability.

Small Business California is a proactive, nonpartisan business advocacy organization dedicated to the well-being of California’s small businesses. Working for all small businesses in California for a better business environment. SB-Cal is responsive to the needs of small business owners in California.

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Such interaction is possible both at the level of institutions within the same sector – for example, between civil society organizations (CSOs) – and between different sectors – the community, government and local authorities, law enforcement agencies, business, donor organizations, media, etc. This makes it possible to attract as many necessary resources as possible, and thus to cover a wide range of social, economic, environmental, information and communication, and other tasks, to overcome conventional and real barriers, and to effectively address important social issues.

For example, cooperation between government and local authorities and civil society organizations is a sign of a democratic society in which its needs are at the heart of public policy. In its turn, the “third sector” contributes to the control of the state by the society, establishing public relations between the community and the authorities on the basis of openness, publicity and partnership.

Cooperation of the public sector with business not only promotes activation and development of its social responsibility, but also unites efforts around common tasks (for example, development of the territory – a separate area, the whole city, region, and the state as a whole. However, partnership between these sectors will be possible only if CSOs work transparently, clearly understand what changes they want to achieve, and position themselves not as “beggars” (give us money because we are good), but as equal partners.

Cooperation between civil society organizations and the media should also be based on the principles of openness and transparency. However, its main condition is the absence of a business component. Both the public sector and the media act within a certain community and for the sake of the community, using only different tools and pursuing different primary goals. However, when establishing a dialogue, both parties should understand that the key point of intersection of their interests is not in the fact that some receive journalistic material and others receive money for its placement, but in raising public awareness of possible ways to address pressing issues, its activation, development, and thus an increase in the overall level of well-being.

Intersectoral partnerships mean new experience, new opportunities, new solutions, a new look at things that have been known for a long time, and the formation of a new culture of relationships in society. Provided that constructive interaction between the government, community and business is established, we can talk about social partnership in the management of society.

It is clear that partnerships do not exist in a perfect format – they need to be built taking into account the interests of all parties and possible risks. However, the basis of these relations is the recognition of the equality and independence of each of the participants. Equality does not mean exactly the same influence on processes or contribution of equivalent resources – it means the possibility of equal participation in decision-making, “playing” in a team according to common rules and principles. On the one hand, this will build mutual trust between partners, and on the other hand, it will prevent conflicts of interest.

One of the important elements of establishing a quality dialogue between partners is effective communication – the ability to listen and hear, exchange information, and disseminate jointly adopted key messages. Stereotypes, especially between the community-government and community-business sectors, are a major obstacle to quality cooperation, although the media often have a biased attitude towards NGOs: they are not considered professionals, their activities are considered frivolous or even useless. This stereotype exists partly as a result of the functioning of unscrupulous, irresponsible, “pocket”, politically biased civic activists and organizations, which automatically casts a shadow on other representatives of the “third sector”. That is why it is important for civil society institutions to properly communicate information about themselves, their values and goals, as well as to clearly state what support they expect from potential partners and what they are ready to do to solve certain problems.

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The bad news is that running a successful nonprofit is not easy. You will need to consider how you will benefit the public, raise funds, recruit staff and/or volunteers, establish a board of directors, and comply with the various laws that govern nonprofits. Your answers to these questions will determine whether you should start a nonprofit or consider alternatives.

Determine the name of the corporation
A nonprofit organization is usually established as a corporation, and its name can be a valuable asset. The legal name of the corporation must be registered in the state where the corporation is incorporated. In California, the name of a corporation may be adopted by the California Secretary of State if it is not the same as or too similar to an existing name in agency records and is not misleading to the public.

Draft and file the articles of incorporation.
For California, the articles will specify the type of nonprofit corporation being formed. There are three types of nonprofit corporations in California: public benefit, mutual benefit, and religious. The nonprofit public benefit corporation (the focus of this step-by-step guide) is the appropriate choice for a nonprofit organization formed for charitable or public purposes. The articles of incorporation are typically signed by the “incorporator,” who can be only one person, but can also be signed by the initial board of directors if they are named in the articles of incorporation.

Appoint the board of directors.
If the initial directors are not listed in the articles of incorporation, the incorporator can and should appoint the board by written action.

Develop a charter and conflict of interest policy.
A corporation’s articles of incorporation contain the basic provisions for the management of the corporation’s activities and affairs. The charter should provide guidance to the board and assure government agencies, funders, and other stakeholders of good governance practices.

Take initial board actions at a board meeting or with the unanimous written consent of the directors.

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California Southern has made a tremendous difference in the lives of local women and minority small business owners, as well as their access to capital to build and grow their economic livelihoods.

California Southern will be the first of seven fiduciary development corporations (FDCs) in California to launch this type of grantmaking fund. Hernandez hopes that California Southern’s actions will inspire other FDCs across the state to do the same in their communities to help their local small businesses through this phase of recovery and rebuilding. California Southern plans to begin awarding grants later this year.

In its role as a community foundation, the San Diego Foundation works with local nonprofits to help them establish agency funds that secure long-term assets and maintain stable income streams, which ensures long-term sustainability and support. Through agency funds, nonprofits can rely on the expertise of the San Diego Foundation’s experienced team, allowing nonprofits to do what they do best: serve their community. To date, nearly 150 nonprofits have opened more than 400 nonprofit funds. To learn more about becoming a donor or establishing a fund at the San Diego Foundation, visit SDFoundation.org/donors.

For more than 30 years, California Southern has helped small and medium-sized businesses get the financial assistance they need to become productive and successful contributors to their communities. Through long-standing and trusted relationships with more than 40 banks and lending institutions, California Southern helps provide financing to small businesses that have great potential but lack sufficient credit and may not be able to qualify for a conventional loan on their own. The program emphasizes helping small businesses, especially minority and women-owned businesses, who cannot qualify for a bank loan without a guarantee. California Southern has guaranteed more than 4,000 loan requests totaling more than $387 million to support small businesses in California. Learn more at CASouth.com.

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