Hi, Folks! Here in Pennsylvania, when using the NOLO book, it just hasn't been that hard to set up a 501c3 -- several groups in Phoenixville have used NOLO's resources, so further legal assistance wasn't necessary and filing just wasn't expensive (way less than $500).
Of course, it's more expensive if your non-profit plans on handling large amounts of money (the IRS fee is based on how much cash your non-profit expects to handle), but if you're planning on tossing that much money around, you should have good money-managing skills anyway. By simply following the instructions in the NOLO book, I received an approval from the IRS in 6 weeks -- which is the minimum IRS response time. I was so impressed with the 501c3 book from NOLO that I've used them for other run-of-the-mill legal matters and found them clear, understandable and to the point. The NOLO website is here: http://www.nolo.com/ Based on these experiences, I've become very suspicious of those who say "I can't afford to apply for a 501c3." Now, it may be easier for one's program to be part of an organization -- as you can see from my sig, the community garden is a mission of the church, so it makes more sense for the garden's finances to flow from the church's 501c3 status. In the case of the dog park or the time bank, the organizers were not part of another group and/or the new program didn't "fit" any existing organization, so to maintain accountability, we applied for our own 501c3 status. Part of having a successful program is thinking out your organization. If you can be a program with a sponsor where everyone can work together, then being part of a sponsor's 501c3 status may make the most sense. However, if you (as Perry indicates) want to start up your own organization, part of laying successful groundwork is considering your organizational structure which means setting up financial accountability -- and that means you have to set up a way that your finances are publicly reported, whether you do it yourself or you hire/have a volunteer with an accounting background. In my experience, individuals who don't either gain a sponsor for 501c3 status OR actually file themselves for 501c3 status and then ask the public for time and dollars to support their programs (especially with the excuse "it's too expensive/time consuming to file" are either 1) too badly organized for their programs to succeed in the long term or 2) ripping people off. As Mike has said about me: "She's so suspicious" And yes, I am. But if the query is a genuine one, then it's NOT difficult to follow up and do those steps that will reassure the public such that one can collect time and dollars. Dorene Dorene Pasekoff, Coordinator St. John's United Church of Christ Organic Community Garden and Labyrinth A mission of St. John's United Church of Christ, 315 Gay Street, Phoenixville, PA 19460 _______________________________________________ The American Community Gardening Association listserve is only one of ACGA's services to community gardeners. To learn more about the ACGA and to find out how to join, please go to http://www.communitygarden.org To post an e-mail to the list: [email protected] To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your subscription: http://list.communitygarden.org/mailman/listinfo/community_garden_list.communitygarden.org
