Fundraising legal issues with the Phila School District.

[coalhot]

Tristan Lall:
Does this have something to do with the team making legal agreements that could impact the school?

How were your other sponsorships arranged?

As far as I know, we don't really sign any contracts. In the past we did the same things, and never had any problems.

Akash Rastogi:
As long as your parent organization is 501c3 (if a school is somehow not, then god help them) then you should have nothing legal holding you back. Ask the school to talk to your regional director and explain how things like sponsorships work through the school.

We had the paperwork until this year, when the District refused to give it to us (thats what I last heard)...

computerteen643:
i know our team's letters have to be approved by a school administrator just because they mention the school.....did you get your letters approved?

We never got them approved in the past. The format of the letter changed very little in the past years.

waialua359:
Is it more of a directive/policy rather than a legal issue?
I find it hard that a school (which normally are non-profit status) is not being allowed to fundraise legally.

As I understand it, the team is a separate entity from the school. This is complicated by working in the school rather that at a company/business.

Daniel_LaFleur:
Most schools (other than private schools) are NOT 501c3, as that implies non-profit corporation status. Public Schools fall under government funded and thus are not non-profit corporations. Donations to School clubs can be tax deductable, but not under 501c3.

We had the 501c3 paperwork until this year. Most companies never asked for them though, so we never provided it.

I was just thinking of a way of trying to get the someone in the School District to move on this, because from personal experience (being homeschooled in Philly) they are very slow to act on anything and provide answers. I think the idea to contact our regional director is a good one, and I will suggest it to our mentor.

Thanks for all the input.

--Philip