How do you become a non profit organization?

Don't do anything to make any money

Seriously, Do a search for 501(c)(3) This is part of the US IRS code that is used to assign non-profit status. The real purpose here is so that donations to a 501(c)(3) organixzation will be tax deductible.

Here is a checklist from Boardsource:
Boardsource: : Q&As

Another helpful site:
Nonprofit Basics for Beginners

Getting to your library and looking for books, see the books listed on the web link:
how to become a non profit - Google Book Search