Trying to start a Non-Profit Organization?

[atworth49]

I am trying to start a non-profit organization, assisting in the aid of finding missing children, providing education and awareness of child abuse and child abduction. Since I don’t know much about non-profits, my question is: I’ve seen that all non-profits must have a board of directors, is this true or can my wife and I run it? Also, once licensed, can I hire fundraisers to raise money or donations? If so, do they have to be on the official payroll or can I hire a service? If I hire someone to work for my business, even just getting donations, do I need to provide workers compensation benefits?

[khalid]

You really should read the IRS information on The Life Cycle of a Public Charity, as it addresses many of your questions, and provides additional resources for research.

http://www.irs.gov/charities/charitable/article/0,,id=122670,00.html

Starting Out

Organizing Documents

Required Provisions
Sample Organizing Documents
Governance and related topics
Bylaws
State law requirements

Employer Identification Number
Application Form
Online EIN Application

Charitable Solicitation
Initial State Registration
Periodic State Reporting
State Charity Offices

Help from the IRS
Applying to IRS
Application Forms
Exemption Application
Group exemption
User Fee
Power of Attorney
Disclosure of Applications
IRS Processing
While You Wait
Rulings and Determination Letters
Advance Rulings - Publicly Supported Organizations
Help from the IRS
Application Process Step by Step
Customer Account Services
Publication 4220, Applying for 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Status
Publication 557, Tax-Exempt Status for Your Organization

Required Filings
Annual Exempt Organization Return
Requirements for Filing
e-File for Exempt Organizations
e-Postcard for Small Exempt Organizations
Unrelated Business Income Tax

Requirements for Filing
Form 990-T
Form 990-T instructions
Form 990-W
Estimated Tax
Exceptions and Exclusions
Publication 598, Tax on Unrelated Business Income for Exempt Organizations
Help from the IRS

Customer Account Services
Publication 4221-PC, Compliance Guide for 501(c)(3) Public Charities
Publication 557, Tax-Exempt Status for Your Organization


Ongoing Compliance
Jeopardizing Exemption
Inurement/Private Benefit
Intermediate Sanctions
Lobbying/Political Activity

Employment Taxes
Requirement to Pay
Exceptions and Exclusions
Worker Classification
Forms and Publications
Retirement Plan Compliance

Substantiation and Disclosure
Charitable Contributions
Publication 1771, Charitable Contributions Substantiation and Disclosure Requirements
Written acknowledgments
Quid pro quo contributions
Charity auctions
Noncash Contributions
Donor ( Form 8283)
Donee ( Form 8282)
Publication 561, Determining the Value of Donated Property
Public Disclosure Requirements
Help from the IRS
Customer Account Services
Publication 4221-PC, Compliance Guide for 501(c)(3) Public Charities
Publication 557, Tax-Exempt Status for Your Organization


Significant Events
Reporting Changes to IRS
Termination of Exempt Organization

Private Letter Rulings and Determination Letters

Audits of Exempt Organizations
Potential Examination Consequences
Examination Procedures
Power of Attorney

Termination of an Exempt Organization
Help from the IRS

[jan46]

If you organize the organization as a for profit, it is not likely to make any money because there are already so many competitors.

And the main problem for non-profits is that they are all going after the same donors, too much competition to be useful.

Go find a competing organization and give it your services.

[dasco]

Having professional members of Board of Directors, aside from you and your wife is the ideal set-up. This adds credibility to your organization. This increases your chances of getting donors who will be able to entrust their money to your organization. You can either hire employees that suit your official purpose and operations or contract people to do certain services you need. Anyone you hire permanently for you organization is entitled to workers compensation benefits.

[reid]

Why would you want to start an enterprise that you know nothing about?

You can't walk into a hospital off the street and be a doctor, can you?

HIring those fundraising companies is unethical and stupid.
They take about 75% of the money.

Yes, you must have a board of directors.

You are required by law to have workers' comp, UC, and social security for ALL employees.

If you really want to help abused children, find one of the hundreds of orgs that already exist.

Volunteer.
Serve on their board.

THEN maybe you can get a job working for them.

For details, go to www.irs.gov.
click "charities and nonprofits."