[crw-talk] Note to my friends of non-profit status

[Adrian.novak at charter.net]

To all my friends in the Coulee Region Woodturners,
Several years ago, as your president I championed the club obtaining the 501(c)3 status.  I know there is some controversy as to the value of the non-profit and if it is worth the time and cost.  I would like to express my views.
There is no benefit in keeping the non-profit alive if you are not going to take any benefits from having it.  We lost the non-profit due to no one filling out an IRS electronic form (at no cost) that asked a single question.  The question was: Did you collect over $50,000 in donations last year?  Missing that form for three straight years put us back to the start.
I saw the benefit in having the 501(c)3 status not in getting personal tax deductions but in grants and reduced cost fees.  The 501(c)3 is not a sales exempt document but it would have reduced our rent at the community center to $45 a month.  It would give us access to the Onalaska Library meeting rooms with internet access for free. These are some small benefits.  We could have applied for grants for some of the major items on our wish list. There is a plan to upgrade our audio and video systems. There is talk about upgrading our Web Page to name two. As a 501(c)3 non-profit organization we could have gone to various sources to apply for these grants.  The La Crosse Community foundation comes to mind.  There are several categories and client grants that they have that would fit this need.
I am no longer a member of this group so I have no vote in the results, but these reasons may cause you to reconsider.
Please, if you discuss do it among yourselves. Hopefully this is the last thing I will say about it. If yo want my thought it is – A good thing if you use it, a not necessary thing and big waste of time and energy if you do not.

Adrian


Sent from Mail for Windows



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