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2014 02 06 meeting w jr from make haven

Dan Bernier edited this page Feb 6, 2014 · 1 revision

MakeHaven is a non-stock corporation, with intent to be a non-profit. This lets them file for taxes as a non-profit, even though they're not one yet.

Setting Up

They used Wiggin & Dana for lawyers - suggested by Miles.

Maybe we could be a benefit corporation - CT is supposed to be close to passing laws for these. Could give us an extra press-bump, though we'll probably bump into first-time problems.

Filing as a Non-profit can cost ~$800, and take 6 months, if everything goes perfect. Then, you're in a kind of probation period for 1 year, where they can revoke your status w/o warning.

If you're under $50k, annual filing of taxes is really easy. It gets harder as you get bigger.

Riding Coat-tails

A fiduciary can step in, & handle your $ in their books, though you operate independently. (They didn't do this, because they take physical donations, which would then "belong" to the fiduciary.)

Similarly, but different, you could find a non-profit partner to work with, and run some of your activities "for the public good," through them. (I'm not sure on the distinction.)

Having a Board

Board elections can be by members, or "self-perpetuating:" either you have the members elect the board, or the board designates the next board.

(We'll need a charter, too.)

Rewarding Volunteers

"A symbolic title & a stipend can be a powerful thing." It changes the relationship with the volunteer. Symbolically show reciprocity, because volunteers give a lot to you, and that can grow to resentment if they start to feel worn out.