Incorporation of California Non-profit Corporations, including filing of IRS Form 1023 or Form 1024 application for 501(c)(3) (to provide for tax deductibility of donations to the charity made by donors), 501(c)(4), 501(c)(6), 509(a)(2), etc. federal tax exemption, plus state exemption application, if applicable -- are generally $1595 and up, plus costs.

Non-profit corporations where no tax exemption filings are required are generally follow the same fee schedule as for-profit incorporations ($750-995, plus costs).

Costs / filing fees inclusive of tax exemption application filing(s) depend on the nature of the non-profit, but generally range from several hundred to several thousand dollars.  Costs average about $900-1000; any firm or service that lists costs at of a couple of hundred dollars or less is counting on you to make your own tax exemption filings (and, probably, to figure out which filing(s) are needed, how to properly complete and prosecute them, and whether you need to make them at all, as well).

Where rush processing is required, additional fees and costs will apply, so plan ahead and start early if you can.

Filing of IRS Form 1023/1024 and/or California state exemption applications without incorporation services, or for not-for-profits that are not organized as corporations, is also available; standard flat rate for most such situations is $750-995, plus costs.

For more information, see also:

501(c)(3) Tax Exemption for Non-profits