1. Home
  2.  » 
  3. Advocate

The Washington Nonprofit Corporation Act

The statutes governing nonprofits in Washington have changed! During the 2021 Washington Legislative Session, SB 5034 was introduced and passed, modernizing the nonprofit statutes for the first time in 50 years. These changes were a long time coming and are a product of government, nonprofits, allies, and legislators working together.

What Nonprofits Need to Know

The statutes have modernized.

Nonprofit work has evolved over the last five decades, and the law governing our sector has been modernized to meet present-day needs. The new statutes provide for email notifications, updated electronic meeting rules, and other changes to reflect current best practices in our sector.

Most nonprofits don’t have to do anything at all.
The new law helps to set defaults and standards that many nonprofits have already put in place. These updates will largely make nonprofit work easier.
These changes went into effect in 2022.
The Washington Nonprofit Corporation Act took effect on January 1, 2022. Download our factsheet and watch the webinar below to better understand how the changes to this law might affect your nonprofit organization.
2022 Washington Nonprofit Handbook

2022 Washington Nonprofit Handbook

View the Handbook
The New Washington Nonprofit Corporation Act - What Nonprofit Leaders Need to Know

Learn More

Nonprofit Association of Washington, with help from our partners, has put together a summary of what nonprofit leaders need to know about the new Washington Nonprofit Corporation Act.

The new statutes reflect new best practices in the nonprofit sector, including allowing people under the age of 18 can serve on a Board of Directors for a nonprofit. They also provide better guidance for membership organizations, clarity regarding board governance, and more detailed procedures for record keeping, amending governing documents, mergers, and ceasing operations.

Nonprofit Association of Washington hosted a webinar about the changes to the Washington Nonprofit Corporation Act on December 2, 2021, featuring Maha Jafarey and Tara Vitale of Apex Law Group. The webinar (recording below) includes a breakdown of the new law and answers to questions from nonprofit leaders across Washington.

A written transcript of the Q&A from the Washington Nonprofit Corporation Act webinar is below. Maha Jafarey and Tara Vitale of Apex Law Group answered more than 60 questions about the new statutes – you might find the answer to your question here!

Washington Nonprofit Corporation Act and Youth on Boards

The Washington Nonprofit Corporation Act includes proactive language allowing for individuals under the age of 18 to serve on the Board of Directors for a Nonprofit. Nonprofit Association of Washington hosted a webinar about these provisions and what nonprofit leaders need to know. Featuring Maha Jafarey and Jacob Ferrari from Apex Law Group.

A written transcript of the Q&A from the Washington Nonprofit Corporation Act and Youth on Boards webinar is below. Maha Jafarey and Jacob Ferrari of Apex Law Group answered questions and offered resources about the new statutes and how best to represent youth in your mission driven organization.

Washington Nonprofit Corporation Act and Membership

The Washington Nonprofit Corporation Act makes meaningful improvements to membership organizations. Nonprofit Association of Washington hosted a webinar about these provisions and what nonprofit leaders need to know. Featuring Tara M. Vitale & Jacob Ferrari from Apex Law.

Changes to the Washington Nonprofit Corporation Act include a more comprehensive set of rules for membership corporations, comparable to other states. These provisions apply to organizations that provide in their bylaws for voting members who elect the board of directors or vote on one or more fundamental transactions of the organization. Join this webinar to learn about the detailed guidance outlined by the updated act.

A written transcript of the Q&A from the Washington Nonprofit Corporation Act and Membership webinar is available here. Tara M. Vitale & Jacob Ferrari from Apex Law Group answered questions and offered resources about the new statutes and how best to lead Membership nonprofits.

501Commons Webinar: Washington’s New Nonprofit Corporation Act – How does it affect you?

This webinar was hosted February 24, 2022 by our colleagues at 501Commons and featured David Lawson from Davis, Wright & Tremaine and Judy Andrews from Apex Law Group. They covered what nonprofit leaders need to know about the new Washington Nonprofit Corporation Act and fielded questions.

Do you still have questions?

Please reach out to us! We are your nonprofit association and we are here to help. If you have any questions, please reach out to us! We will help in any way we can. And will help you with resources and contacts for any questions we cannot cover.

Communications Team
Nonprofit Association of Washington
[email protected]

Nonprofit Fundamentals

Get NAWA's nonprofit fundamentals resources on boards, finance, legal compliance, strategic planning, advocacy, and running an effective nonprofit.

Nonprofit Jobs

Looking for a job in the nonprofit sector? NAWA partners with Mac's List to promote career opportunities.

Skip to content