Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Okay...so I have spent hours reading posts on this website...and they are all so informative and the information and contacts are so valuable. Buuuttt...here is that big giant but...I am trying to start a non-profit...which in a  lot of ways is VERY different from starting a for-profit business. I could use some guidance...a mentor...anything that might help! I feel completely lost in all of the legal stuff...the financial stuff...charity...IRS...you name it! Every time I think I am bringing things together...I am bombarded with 18 new links or sites I need to visit to make sure I have everything I need. Not to mention...where exactly do I get the startup capital for a non-profit that doesn`t have its non-profit status yet!?

Like I said...help would be VERY much appreciated!!!

Thanks in advance, 

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Leah Tucker

I worked and helped maintain a non-profit humanitarian aid organization. Although I was more in the clerical/administrative aid side, I may still be able to offer you some help. Maybe not a mentor, but a friend, at the least. If you wish, email me at predko (at) redkointernational.com!

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You are absolutely right about running a 501(c)(3), non-profit charity.

So you can better informed, the IRS has developed a guide for you.

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p557.pdf

Read it , re-read it and read it again ...

Otherwise I and others will scrutinize your organization like there is not tomorrow.

Why, because the taxpayers of this country are footing the bill .. for your organization to remain tax free.

The largest area of fraud within all of tax filings is in 501(c)(3) organizatiions.

And remember, once you establish a 501(c)(3) organization, all the records including your Form 990 (tax return) are public information. (You must provide the 990`s for the previous 3 yrs to whomever requests them ... or there are penalties.)

Also visit GuideStar.org ...

http://guidestar.org

as another point of referance.

The National Charities Information Bureau will also give guidance on how to maintain a reputable 501(c)(3) ... ie Code of Ethics, preventing Conflicts of Interest, ect...

http://give.org

You will also need to register in your state as a Non-profit charity also.

TG -

Thanks a bunch for the links! I have the paperwork (thankfully) for registering...not just with my state but with all of them since I will be national from the start. I was on the IRS site and picked up some stuff....not sure if I have that particular pub though...so I will have to check it out. I am definitely going to be working VERY hard to make sure this organization stays on the up and up...no fraud...no funny business...this is WAY too important to me to have it screwed up by illegal crap! Plus...if I can`t make this work legally...then it wasn`t meant to be!

Are you at all familiar with non-profits and how they are run...it would be nice to have a devil`s advocate looking over what I am doing to make sure I have all my Is dotted and Ts crossed!

Paul...thanks...I will drop you a line...any information you might have would be helpful.

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Leah Tucker

Hi Leah,

I saw you ad looking for information.  I am also going in circles trying to find the right information for sightseeing tour small business.  Hopefully someone can help us.  Call the government you might be able get answers for the non-profit areas.

Kittykat

 

 

It looks like I`ll be here in the States for the next 6 or so weeks .... (it looks like I`ll be heading to Afghanistan .. not Iraq). If you need help with setting up your 501(c)(3) organization, feel free to contact me. (I also sent you a PM with my private number)

Just to give you some background ... back in 1997 I started asking questions about a 501(c)(3) within the trucking industry. I was ridiculed, made fun off, and attacked on a nationally synidicated radio program (The Truckin` Bozo Radio Network) as well as ridiculed in several national trucking publications.

http://www.roadstaronline.com/2000/03/036a0003.asp

http://www.ttnews.com/members/topNews/0003518.html#story3

According to my own industry, how dare I ask questions about how this non-profit was being run. I risked my employment, my reputation within the trucking industry, and my honor and integrity.

I became educated in 501(c)(3) IRS regulations, so that when I asked questions of that organization ... I was well informed. (I learned way back when .. you never ask a question ... unless you already know the answer.) The amazing thing is ...  the questions and concerns I had regading this non-profit all turned out to be TRUE. (Eventually the President of the organization retired ... but the organization continued with a number of of its poor practices, including "conflicts of interest" and "excess benefits")

I`ve also worked in helping to promote a very reputable non-profit within the trucking industry, Ol` Blue USA, http://olblueusa.org .

If you have questions on how to run a 501(c)(3), you can also contact Ol` Blue USA, for suggestions and advice. (RJ Taylor and I have known each other since 1997)

 

 

TJ

Thank you soooooo much for your help and support! This has been so frustrating trying to figure out where to do and how to get there and where to start and how NOT to become one of those who doesn`t do things right! I want this to work more than anything...and I want it to work right!

Thanks again! I will give you a call when I get a chance!

Leah

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Leah Tucker

Hi Leah,

I understand what you are going through, if I see anything that would be of interest to you I will email to you at once.  How about calling some of the non profit organization that you are aware of, or perhaps the Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise Toronto.  Are you located in Toronto, Ontario?

Kittykat

Hey there KittyKat,

Nope...I am in Oregon. I have been in touch with SCORE...which was VERY helpful...but they are very limited in their knowledge of non-profits. I have TONS of information from websites, and government entities...I think the problem now that I have most of my ducks...getting them all in a row! I feel like I am in the HUGE field of ducks and no CLUE how to round them all and get them to walk in a straight line!   This whole starting a business thing is harder than it looks sometimes! TONS of information...jsut not sure how to make it all work for you...ya` know! Anything you got would be SUPER helpful!

Thanks for the support!

 

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Leah Tucker

Hi Leah,

Have you had any luck with your non profit business?