Great info Mark. I am sure the new Maricopa Pinal GNU Linux users group
will find this useful as they complete their charter.
On Tue, Aug 19, 2014 at 6:35 PM, Mark Phillips <
mark@phillipsmarketing.biz>
wrote:
> Just to add my two cents to the non-profit discussion. I set up a 501c3
> corporation over 10 years ago for my daughters' club softball teams. I was
> the head coach and president of the corporation. I had a lawyer help with
> the application as probono work....I downloaded the application from the
> IRS, filled it out, asked the attorney a few questions, he reviewed the
> final application, and the IRS approved it. I kept the books in gnucash and
> filed the annual tax forms myself....a few reports from gnucash and some
> electronic filings with the state and IRS. I had three teams and over $45K
> in annual donations, so it was not that small of an operation. It was easy.
> It is amazing what one can learn by just reading the IRS handouts. I did
> not need a CPA or attorney after the initial filing with the IRS. I also
> haven't been audited or sent to jail for my 501c3. I am also not a CPA or
> attorney...just an engineer with an MBA. I think there is a certain mystic
> about non-profit organizations that is just not true. It is not that big of
> a deal. You need three officers, just like any other AZ corporation to get
> started.
>
> I am not volunteering to set up the non-profit, nor do I have an opinion
> whether PLUG should be a non-profit or not. I am just saying that from my
> personal experience, it is not as scary and difficult to setup and run a
> non-profit as part of this discussion is making it out to be.
>
> Mark
>
>
> On Tue, Aug 19, 2014 at 1:53 PM, Gilbert T. Gutierrez, Jr. <
> mailing-lists@phoenixinternet.net> wrote:
>
>> There are ongoing costs to being a non-profit. You do have to file taxes
>> every year. I believe in the past that was not so if you were not having a
>> certain amount of funds running through your accounts. Additionally, the
>> board, or officers, are responsible for the accuracy of those taxes and the
>> compliance of the organization which should not ever be overlooked.
>>
>> I would not say its a good thing or a bad thing. I would say it is a good
>> thing if you have a bunch of corporate donors lined up to provide
>> significant funding to some of the plug activities. If you are speaking of
>> a $100 here or there (under $1k/year), I would say that it is a waste of
>> time becoming a non-profit.
>>
>> You will have to have money to maintain the following...
>> 1. CPA for tax season,
>> 2. Lawyer (mostly for initial filings, but also for organization),
>> 3. Commercial bank account (banks charge for those things).
>>
>> This is my 2 cents only. I was once on the board of a charitable
>> organization that failed. It was a lot of work and I always had concerns
>> about money mismanagement.
>>
>> Gilbert
>>
>>
>>
>> On 8/19/2014 12:24 PM, Ed wrote:
>>
>>> The need to be a non-profit, and not being one, has bit us in the ass
>>> in the past.
>>>
>>> this should be done now as there is no pressing need - when the need
>>> occurs is not when you want to be starting this.
>>>
>>> There are some initial costs (fees) just becoming a state recognized
>>> organization, getting a federal non-profit status will take longer -
>>> The purpose would be education. A bank account is needed and finding a
>>> lawyer/accountant that is willing to support the group pro-bono (post
>>> a wanted add at ASU) are also needed. Don't skimp on infrastructure -
>>> you're starting a distributed group, support it.
>>>
>>> Start with a group of founders (10+) - each founder brings a C-note....
>>>
>>> Start fresh - don't reverse into an established papertrail - don't
>>> play adopt a fubar (unless that fubar is a shell of a listed public
>>> company - even then it's a bad idea) Keep detailed records of who does
>>> what when, you are maintaining IP now.
>>>
>>> when talking to other non-profits, ask who they use - get a referral -
>>> take a meeting - make a list. think about who is good for the advisory
>>> board (ie not people you now know) pay them.
>>>
>>> involve more people than you think you will need - you will need more
>>> - tasks should be assigned to teams (not people)
>>> share everything - keep open books
>>>
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