Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Hmmm...I question whether your accountant is giving you good advice.  The IRS states in many of their information documents that an individual can not "deduct the value of your time or services" when working with charitable organizations.  Here`s just one reference on the IRS web site. (in this case the reference is in the first bulleted item on the list).  My accountant has always made this very clear to me as I do a great deal of work with nonprofits.  I can deduct any expenses incurred, and travel costs, but not the value of my time.

It is always good to invoice nonprofits the full value of the work you have done so they have an understanding of the true value of your services - but any deductions on that balance due or donations will be out of the goodness of your heart.

Here`s an article I wrote about the value of working with nonprofit organizations.

- J.




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Jeff Fisher | Jeff Fisher LogoMotives | Tweet! Tweet!

Welcome PromisedJoy!  Your business idea sounds excellent.  Perhaps the churches could even consider getting a business owned by a congregation member to "sponsor" your efforts.  I know of several churches that have member businesses sponsor the cost of printing newsletters/bulletins each month in exchange for a small ad or listed credit.  Maybe the same could be proposed for the value of your time in helping the church coordinate such projects.

Good luck! - J.




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Jeff Fisher | Jeff Fisher LogoMotives | Tweet! Tweet!

Jeff - thanks for clearing that up ... I stand corrected. I should have made myself clearer. I was thinking - but did not communicate it well - of items she might be giving the non-profits - such as the finished work of cards, printed material, etc. I do believe these items can be donated and taken as a legit deduction.

Thanks - R@

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Richard Arnold · Key Concept Writers · Business Communication: The "Key" To Success· Law of Attraction Blog · Life Ain`t Brain Surgery Blog

Hello,

The IRS states in many of their information documents that an individual can not "deduct the value of your time or services" when working with charitable organizations. 

I am not an accountant,  I`m just the ideas` guy, about to use the art of manipulation.

If I, business "Y" were to purchase  "X" service from "X" company for say $10,000 and gave that service to a church, that $10,000  would be tax deductable for me because it was an expense that I incurred for the donation.

Now if "X" company  were to purchase $10,000 or my services and did it as they pleased ( say gave it away to a church) Company "X" would now also have a $10,000 tax deduction.

Ultimately, I provided 10,000$ worth of services to a non profit organization (realizing all of the benefits mentioned above) and was still able to write off the $10,000 expense I incurred.

This is just the concept, how you end up using it(or adding to it) for your own benefit is up to you. 

If I`m missing something please someone let me know.

Now don`t get me wrong, Im not promoting just giving away your time and effort because we all have to live but I do feel there is always  a way to make the system work for you if you organize it properly.

 

Mike

ok lets get back to the initial question at hand,

you want to help the churches, not neccesarily make money from them...? and build a business with those services.... great,

How can you do this.

What exactly are you going to do,  ??   Lay out the bulletin?,  print it up?   Are you going to stay with local churchs because if you do go across the country you will have the added expense of shipping,  

There already is competition within the industry. can you under cut them  including your expenses of printing, typesetting and shipping.

Or are you just going to do the type setting for them  and have them copy off the needed amount of bulletins,,  or have another organization do the prining,

I`m just trying to get a better sense of direction to be of better assistance.

 

Mike

 

PJ,

Being honest, I would say that Mike is right. There are many low cost services available to small and poorly funded churches. If you are serious about creating a real business, you have stiff competition out there and your success will depend on your sales approach and how your services will be better than all the rest.

Now on the other hand, if you are just a good hearted person that wants to help small churches by pointing them in the direction of low cost resources, You may want to try to develop a refferal type business that would compile a tremendous list of existing companies that offer these low cost solutions to struggling churches. (I`m sure there are already several companies that do so) but there is always room for more!

With a quick search I was able to find these and it`s just a tiny handful of the available resources out there.

http://www.churchsecretarytoday.com/index.php

http://search.crossdaily.com/list.php3?cat=241

http://www.crosssearch.com/Business_and_Finance/Businesses/C hurch_Services_and_Resources/

http://guide.gospelcom.net/resources/church-template.php

Just as with any product or service, your success will depend upon the way you package and promote yourself and your services, and the energy that you put into what you do.

Let us know what you end up doing. I wish you the best.

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~Eric
JE Design Group, LLC
If all you do is what you`ve done, then all you`ll get is what you`ve got.
www.jedesigngroup.com

PJ,

I hope I didn`t come across negative because I feel you can do anything that you would like to do. If done properly I believe you can be the number one in the market if that is what you choose. 

I`m trying to get more details, to be able to offer more assistance.

Good luck and if there is anything I/we can help you with let just ask.

 

mike

To all you who have responded - many thanks. I would like to be more clear about the help to smaller churches. I would be doing the actual design and printing of bulletins and flyers for those churches without secretarial staff and the pastor and/or his wife is doing this and feels overwhelmed because of other demands within their ministry.

The hope is that my company name would appear on the printed materials in hope that members in the congregation who have businesses or some input into a business they work for when they need someone who can put a personal touch on things they put out.

I would really only need a small repeat group of clientele to provide me what I need to cover the cost of materials and still give me enough money to occasionally buy things I need such as clothes and toiletries. Perhaps even save for the trip down south we are planning for next year.

I`m not looking to become a millionaire. Only to be able to earn money with my abilities since no one wants to hire me without me paying "x" amount for the secrets of this or that person. I`m not a sales person nor do I wish to be. I just want to feel useful and have the ability to earn money I don`t have to always get from my husband.

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God has promised Joy

PJ,

I`m moved,

Since you are only looking for a little extra for yourself and your willingness to help others exceeds any personal expectations, I feel not only will you be able to achieve this, you may be able to  develop it into so much more if you choose.

IE  a national network of people doing the same thing across the company.  Take notes on all of the aspects on how you eventually develop your enterprise so when others want to do the samething can have a head start, something that you can offer  at no cost or at  very little cost.  

I will keep you in mind when any ideas come up that may help.

 Good Luck

 

Mike

 

 

http://www.ivaa.org/

PJ,

Thanks for clarifying. That changes things quite a lot. You aren`t looking to go "big time" you  are really just out to ease the pressure on a handful of churches and you`re really only looking for a moderate compensation.

This might sound crazy, but would you consider offering your service in return for the cost of materials + a donation? Churches do operate using donations and that way they would be giving you what they could afford without worrying about a regular "fee" for service. Churches that could give you more would do so and the churches that are just lucky to have you would be very appreciative to have you helping them out.

You may start by offering a church your services say for one month with no obligation on their part. That could be very appealing. Be honest and let them know that you are trying to get into the business. Once you remove the obligation, it would be hard for a church to not give you the opportunity if they don`t already have a solid system in place. When your "trial period" is over they will give you their answer and their opinions and you will learn from that experience and it will make your service better.

I know you must have a lot of energy and a lot to offer to be willing to take on such a business the way your are. I respect that.

~Eric

 

 

 

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~Eric
JE Design Group, LLC
If all you do is what you`ve done, then all you`ll get is what you`ve got.
www.jedesigngroup.com