Re: 501 3(C) Help
 

My team became a non profit in 2003, we split from the school back then and now have kids from 5 different counties on our team. We do not have an accountant, we have a "Board" which consist of our head mentor, our head scout, our head program mentor, and our head design/building mentor, they only meet once a week, we do on average 40 demo's a year to keep the team/organization running, the real problem with it is, that for the chairmans award the judges thing our organization does everything and our team does nothing lol, thats the only complaint, if you want help though I can get you in touch with the Head mentor for my team and he would be happy to help, he has made sure this team never went under so to speak.

Re: 501 3(C) Help
 

When you ask people to join your board of directors, don't just look at the team leadership. Invite members of the community or sponsors to be part of what you are doing.

There will be some applications for grants that will ask for a listing of who is on your board. Having a diverse board is a plus.

Re: 501 3(C) Help
 

Team 2220 - Blue Twilight did a session at the Double Duluth Regional this year and had some great info on setting up a 501c3.

Re: 501 3(C) Help
 

You really don't have to have an accountant. You do have to file an annual return with the IRS. If you are ever audited (admittedly not very likely) you need proper documentation. Without it you can lose the 501c status & face fines. That is why it is important to have some one that understands the process guide you.

Re: 501 3(C) Help
 

Has any team just filed their IRS form 1023 this year or last year?

Which box did you check in section X, question 5? (these are part of the "tests" to determine what kind of public charity you are.)

Did anyone select "D" (which requires the schedule D, which describes you as an entity that "supports" another non-profit entity)?

Did anyone select g, h, or i when filling out this form?

By the way, now I see what those "Tea Party" groups were complaining about; but the truth is, everyone gets these nit-picky questions.

Re: 501 3(C) Help
 

Hey Brian,

If you need any help, feel free to drop 11's lead mentor David Bodmer an email at dbodmer@mort11.org