Well, I can bring it up at the next meeting. Unfotuntely I dont' think I will get a majority vote on that, particularly not from the lady who wrote off 30k in medical expenses last year.
Come to think of it, though, the discussion has always been to split off from our current group and make our own 501(c)(3), or to not do that.
We did get a 10,000 grant this year and the expectation is to apply for more.
And yes, a business plan would have to be part of any non-profit business I'd want to be involved in. The ones that aren't run as a business seem to not last long.
These ae all good points, so please keep playing devils' s advocate so tht I can do so with our group.
On 9/12/06, Susan Hoffman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Then perhaps a timeline and a business plan, with obtaining 501(c)(3) status part of the timeline rather than a starting point.Thanks for the things to think about.There are definite advantages to not filing. The chief one I can think of is not having to deal with a board.I do have a friend who does Persian rescue and is not a 501(c)(3). She ends up doing stuff I am not willing to do, though, like putting second mortgages on her house to support the cats. My cats yes, foster cats no..I have to draw the line somewhere, and it won't do my 24 fosters any good if I have no roof over my head. I've found that the community views us differently. When I ask for something for the cats, if I say I am a volunteer for a 501(c)(3) I have gotten a much more positive response than she has not being one.I am not sure how many of our fosters would be financially able to continue doing this without the tax breaks that come from volunteering for a 501(c)(3). One of my fellow foster mothers wrote off $30,000 in medical expenses for foster cats last year.I want to start small and end up big - my 10 year goal is to have a sanctuary with cats, dogs, and livestock. Gotta start somewhere, though.
On 9/11/06, Susan Hoffman <[EMAIL PROTECTED] > wrote:Clearly identify why you think you want to be a 501(c)(3). There's a lot of paperwork every year to maintain that status and, in some states, you become subject to legal requirements that do not apply to independent rescues. What do you hope to gain by becoming a 501(c)(3) nonprofit?- Grant money is hard to come by and there's a lot of competition. Becoming a 501(c)(3) doesn't necessarily mean that money will flow your way.- Depending on the state where you incorporate, if you are an officer or director, your rescue-related expenses may NOT be tax deductible charitable contributions.I ruled out becoming a 501(c)(3) as a small independent rescue. However, I am looking at setting up one to do low cost spay/neuter for stray and feral cats in my county, and to expand TNR (trap-neuter-return of feral cats) to TNRR (trap-neuter-rehome or return). I'm doing this (a) for credibility with larger organizations so that (b) we can access Maddie's Fund Community grants and other grants that offer big chunks of money for projects that require group collaboration. Under these circumstances, it makes sense. But as a small rescue, there is no profit so it's not like I need a tax break. So why take on paperwork and filing obligations?So may sure you know what you think you''re going get and what obligations you take on in the process.
TenHouseCats <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:that should be it....On 9/11/06, Kelley Saveika <[EMAIL PROTECTED] > wrote:That would be awesome, thanks you
On 9/11/06, TenHouseCats <[EMAIL PROTECTED] > wrote:remind me tomorrow or so--there is a pretty good yahoogroup just for helping folks through the process!
On 9/11/06, Hideyo Yamamoto <[EMAIL PROTECTED] > wrote:I was sort of in the process and never completed it.. setting up non profit organization is very easy and getting tax exemption status is time consuming (lots of paper work) – I have some information that different people oh the list sent it to me – I will forward them to you if I can find them.. thank you!
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] On Behalf Of Leslie Lawther
Sent: Monday, September 11, 2006 9:37 AM
To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
Subject: Re: Way OT: Starting a 501(c)3 for cat rescueBOY am I glad someone asked this question!!! My husband and I are in the middle of staring down the mountain of paperwork too... any tips would be appreciated!!!!Leslie =^..^=
On 9/11/06, Kelley Saveika < [EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:Hi all,Several of my group are wanting to strike out on own on and start a cat rescue, hopefully branching into other animals in the future.
Does anyone who has been through this before have any tips?
Thanks so much!
--
Vist the Austin Siamese Rescue store and save a kitty life!
http://www.cafepress.com/austinsiamese
http://astore.amazon.com/austinsiamese-20
--
Leslie =^..^=
To leave the world a better place - whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or an improved social condition - that is to have succeeded. That only one life breathed easier because you lived - that is success.
---Ralph Waldo Emerson--
Spay & Neuter Your Neighbors!
Maybe That'll Make The Difference....
MaryChristine
AIM / YAHOO: TenHouseCats
MSN: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
ICQ: 289856892
--
Vist the Austin Siamese Rescue store and save a kitty life!
http://www.cafepress.com/austinsiamese
http://astore.amazon.com/austinsiamese-20
--
Spay & Neuter Your Neighbors!
Maybe That'll Make The Difference....
MaryChristine
AIM / YAHOO: TenHouseCats
MSN: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
ICQ: 289856892
--
Vist the Austin Siamese Rescue store and save a kitty life!
http://www.cafepress.com/austinsiamese
http://astore.amazon.com/austinsiamese-20
--
Vist the Austin Siamese Rescue store and save a kitty life!
http://www.cafepress.com/austinsiamese
http://astore.amazon.com/austinsiamese-20
