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How to start a walk a thon or a charity group?


me and my best friend want to start a walk a thon, and also start our own group we r planning to do other things to. is this possible we r planning to give the money to our local animal shelters.and then possible working towards something bigger. how do i start this, how does the whole money and sponsors work, please i need your help .. 10 points fro the best answer. i need an answer about a walk a thon what needs to happen thanks for your answer:)

I’m so tired of seeing this question here.

You may be capable and sincere, but there are some things you need to know.

1. A nonprofit is not a get-rich-quick scheme. It requires an enormous amount of time and work to get if off the ground, and able to sustain itself.

2. There are THOUSANDS of regulations. Yes, really.

3. The nonprofit CORPORATION is tax exempt. Employees still pay taxes under the same rules as everyone else.

4. It is a waste of everyone’s time and money if you plan to reinvent the wheel. There are most likely hundreds of other nonprofits already out there doing the same work that you plan to do. You should find a few and volunteer. You have a lot to learn.
www.volunteer.gov

5. People are not going to hand you buckets of money just because you have a "charity".

Like I said, you may be the exception, but I see so many pie-in-the-sky dimwits here.

But if you insist.

There is no "best way".
There is only one way.

First, you have to incorporate in your home state.
That takes weeks and $hundreds$.

Then you apply to the IRS for tax exempt status.
That’s several more weeks.

THEN you begin fundraisiing.
That’s months.

Meanwhile, you establish your by-laws, board of directors, staff, and internal policies.
You will need an office, accounting system, bank accounts, and insurance.

THEN you begin your work.

Then you continue fundraising.

Then more fundraising.

Then even more fundraising.

Then you do some more work.

Then you apply to foundations for money.
The foundations will come to your office and tell you you’re doing it all wrong.

Then you file reports with the government.

Then you do some fundraising.

Then more work.

go to www.irs.gov.
Click "charities and nonprofits"

go to www.usa.gov
click "for businesses and nonprofits"

go to www.foundationcenter.org
lots of info there.

Good luck.

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Comments

  • Pat September 10th, 2009 at 1:14 pm

    I’m so tired of seeing this question here.

    You may be capable and sincere, but there are some things you need to know.

    1. A nonprofit is not a get-rich-quick scheme. It requires an enormous amount of time and work to get if off the ground, and able to sustain itself.

    2. There are THOUSANDS of regulations. Yes, really.

    3. The nonprofit CORPORATION is tax exempt. Employees still pay taxes under the same rules as everyone else.

    4. It is a waste of everyone’s time and money if you plan to reinvent the wheel. There are most likely hundreds of other nonprofits already out there doing the same work that you plan to do. You should find a few and volunteer. You have a lot to learn.
    http://www.volunteer.gov

    5. People are not going to hand you buckets of money just because you have a "charity".

    Like I said, you may be the exception, but I see so many pie-in-the-sky dimwits here.

    But if you insist.

    There is no "best way".
    There is only one way.

    First, you have to incorporate in your home state.
    That takes weeks and $hundreds$.

    Then you apply to the IRS for tax exempt status.
    That’s several more weeks.

    THEN you begin fundraisiing.
    That’s months.

    Meanwhile, you establish your by-laws, board of directors, staff, and internal policies.
    You will need an office, accounting system, bank accounts, and insurance.

    THEN you begin your work.

    Then you continue fundraising.

    Then more fundraising.

    Then even more fundraising.

    Then you do some more work.

    Then you apply to foundations for money.
    The foundations will come to your office and tell you you’re doing it all wrong.

    Then you file reports with the government.

    Then you do some fundraising.

    Then more work.

    go to http://www.irs.gov.
    Click "charities and nonprofits"

    go to http://www.usa.gov
    click "for businesses and nonprofits"

    go to http://www.foundationcenter.org
    lots of info there.

    Good luck.
    References :
    26 years as volunteer, staff, manager, board member, and consultant to nonprofit corporations.

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