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Murrieta Valley Unified School District

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Steps To Form a Booster Club

I. Choose a name for the booster club

  • The name should not imply that the district is liable or involved in the club’s operations.
  • The word “booster” is required if the school’s name is used.
  • The booster club logo must be unique and clearly distinguishable from any logos of the school site or District.

II. Register as a nonprofit organization

  • File Articles of Incorporation with the California Secretary of State.
  • Name a registered agent for official documents.
  • Pay the required filing fee.

III.  Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)

  • EIN is required for tax reporting and banking.

IV.  Apply for Tax-Exempt Status

  • Forms are available on the IRS website under the Charities and Nonprofits menu options. File form 1023 (for 501(c)(3) status) or Form 1023-EZ (if eligible) for federal 501(c)(3) status.
  • After IRS approval, file California FTB Form 3500 or 3500A for state tax exemption.

V.  Register with the State of California Attorney General’s Registry of Charitable Trusts

  • All California nonprofits that collect and donate funds must register.
  • File form CT-1. CT-1 information is available online.

VI. Open a Bank Account

  • Banks typically require the EIN and Articles of Incorporation.

VII. Select a Board of Directors

  • District employees whose children may benefit from booster club activities cannot hold officer positions.

VIII. Establish membership guidelines

  • Students are not eligible for membership.
  • Membership fees cannot be mandatory for joining.
  • Fees cannot be required for students or parents to participate in school-related activities.

IX.  Draft Bylaws

  •  Bylaws must address:
  1. Corporate purpose and powers
  2. Membership provisions
  3.  Board of directors
  4. Meetings
  5. Officers
  6. Committees
  7. Conflict of interest
  8. Amendments
  9. Fiscal year
  10. Indemnification
  11. Dissolution

X. Hold First Director Meeting

  • Actions typically include:
  1. Adoption of bylaws
  2. Election of officers
  3. Adoption of a conflict of interest policy
  4. Establish a bank account
  5. Setting the accounting year
  6. Adopting record keeping procedures
  • Proceedings must be documented.

XI. Select Officers

  • Must have a President, Secretary, Treasurer at minimum.
  • District employees whose children may benefit from the club’s activities cannot serve as officers.
  • District employees cannot sign contracts, checks, invoices, or other legal documents for booster clubs operating at their own workplace.

XII. File Statement of Information (Form SI-100) with the Secretary of State

  • Must be filed within 90 days of incorporation, and every two years thereafter.
  • Forms and fee information available from the California Secretary of State.

XIII. Insurance Requirements

  • Certificate of Liability Insurance must include the following minimum requirements:
  • General Liability: $1,000,000 per occurrence
  • General Liability: $2,000,000 aggregate
  • Recommended: Crime Coverage or a Fidelity Bond.
  • Murrieta Valley USD must be named as the certificate holder.
  • The Secondary Insured Endorsement page naming the District as an additional insured must be submitted.

XIV. Submit the Booster Club Application to Operate to MVUSD Fiscal Services

  • Booster Clubs must be approved annually by the MVUSD Board before conducting any activities.

XV.  Ongoing Compliance Requirements

  • File IRS 990/990-EZ/990-N annually.
  • File California FTB From 199 or 199N (if applicable).
  • Renew registration with the Attorney General’s Registry of Charitable Trust.
  • File SI-100 every two years.

XVI.  Websites for additional information: