Michael Sowers on fri 23 mar 01
I have recently joined the local potter's guild where the current question
of concern is whether or not the guild should become "non-profit" in the
legal sense. I have looked through the archives and there are several posts
concerning guilds and legal status, my question is, does becoming non-profit
open doors for corporate, state, and federal monies and promotion and if so,
how do we get these monies? We want to start a process that will help the
guild grow and become more attractive to members and the community as well
as build credibility as an organization. We are in a sparsely populated
state (Idaho) that is not known for it's support of the arts and would like
to help change that perception.
Another question is how do we gain credibility (from members and the
community at large) for an annual show to encourage participation and sales?
Any help is greatly appreciated. Feel free to email me off list.
Thanks
Michael Sowers
Email: mailto:mike@classiclinespottery.com
Web: http://www.classiclinespottery.com/
Neil Berkowitz on fri 23 mar 01
Michael,
A good source of information on organizing and managing a nonprofit is the
nonprofit faq, http://www.nonprofits.org/npofaq/ (of which I used to be an
editor). It is now hosted by the Internet Nonprofit Center,
http://www.nonprofits.org/
My own response to your question is that nonprofit status only opens unlocks
tax doors. Its up to you to invite donors and grantmakers in. Whether they
do come in or not is based primarily on two things. First, the donors or
grantmakers must want to support the organization's mission. So you will
need to make your mission--and its public benefit--clear. Second, they want
to know that the organization is capable of advancing that mission. This
means knowing the governance structure of the organization and its track
record efficiently achieving/advancing its mission. That said, there is
always a rare chance that a committed benefactor will appear unexpectedly,
and if cultivated properly might make a significant gift.
So approach this as you would the start of any business: solid research and
planning in consultation with experts in nonprofit management and finance.
(My experience has been that even highly regarded accounts, for instance,
are often shockingly ignorant of some of the regulatory and tax issues for
nonprofits.) Develop reasonable expectations and a strategic plan to
acheive them. Know that getting 501c3 status is not a quick process.
Neil Berkowitz
Michael Sowers wrote:
>
> my question is, does becoming non-profit
> open doors for corporate, state, and federal monies and promotion and if
so,
> how do we get these monies? >
Gail Dapogny on sat 24 mar 01
Mike,
Since our guild was featured in CM (Dec issue), we've had a lot of calls
from people all over asking about guild-running details. Since this is in
the hands of one of our oldest members, I'm going to pass along your
message to her. Yes, we are non-profit.
---Gail
>I have recently joined the local potter's guild where the current question
>of concern is whether or not the guild should become "non-profit" in the
>legal sense. I have looked through the archives and there are several posts
>concerning guilds and legal status, my question is, does becoming non-profit
>open doors for corporate, state, and federal monies and promotion and if so,
>how do we get these monies? We want to start a process that will help the
>guild grow and become more attractive to members and the community as well
>as build credibility as an organization. We are in a sparsely populated
>state (Idaho) that is not known for it's support of the arts and would like
>to help change that perception.
>
>Another question is how do we gain credibility (from members and the
>community at large) for an annual show to encourage participation and sales?
>
>Any help is greatly appreciated. Feel free to email me off list.
>Thanks
>
>Michael Sowers
>Email: mailto:mike@classiclinespottery.com
>Web: http://www.classiclinespottery.com/
>
>______________________________________________________________________________
>Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
>You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
>settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
>Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
>melpots@pclink.com.
Gail Dapogny
1154 Olden Road
Ann Arbor, MI 48103-3005
(734) 665-9816
gdapogny@umich.edu
| |
|
