www.incontinentsupport.org

I consider you all on this board kind of my family. You all go through the same stuff I do. That unites us. I then call on you as family for help.

As you know, I am attempting to found a non profit to help people gain access to high quality incontinence supplies (or whatever supplies best suit their needs) and removing barriers, as well as informing the uninformed about the existence of quality products. Given my success in my small time unofficial efforts, I thought I could take this to the next step and become incorporated and seek 501(c)3 status. Inded this is ideal because then i can establish a separate corporate bank account so donations collected for diapers for people will not have to be deposited in my own bank account.

This is the problem: I have researched how to incorporate and set up a 501(c)3. I have been told that if you don't know how to do it yourself, there is a firm in Tennessee that are experts in getting 501(c)3s off the ground. They streamline and make the process easy. Their clients are guaranteed to be approved by the IRS. This makes hem worth it. The problem is the cost. They currently charge 3 grand in fees. Now, I would fundraise the cost on my own, except that before I'm incorporated, I've been told that ANY income or fundraising I do will count as income and will jeoporadize my SSDI. I approached my Knights of Columbus who are unwilling to fundraise for an organizaiton that does not yet exist. I asked my pastor if my parish could hold the money for me and write the check for 3 grand, he said no. I don't see any way forward except if someone were to help me with fundraising. I am NOT asking you to pay the 3,000 out of pocket, but rather to raise it by doing a shoe drive. Were it not for my restrictions due to SSDI id be doing the fundraising myself. If you want to see better access to incontinence supplies for people who can't afford them, this is your time to act. I intend to focus on Michigan, establishing a boilerplate organization that will serve a model for other states to follow. Each state has its own non profit assisting residents in that state. The reason for this one board of directors overseeing operations in all 50 states would be spread way too thin. Rest assured that your efforts will not only help Michigan residents, because if this program is successful, then you can follow my steps and create your own diaper charity in your state. I need help rasing funding to get things off the ground here. I will share my insights and struggles with those wishing to help their own state. Please look into your heart and think about how you can help. I ask for your help. I wouldn't be asking for your help if I thought there was any way i could forward this myself.

Thank you so much. Please PM me if you are interested. A shoe drive can be conducted by going to this website www.funds2orgs.com
For more information about the expert consulting firm I want to use visit www.501c3.org
Thank you in advance for your help.
Peace out!

Rob

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"We cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love" Mother Teresa

"THERE ARE FOUR LIGHTS!" - Captain Picard from Chain of Command, Part II

I believe this would be a legal issue as well. Running non-profits can be much more difficult than running a for profit business because of the tax implications. Do your homework. Be careful with your SSDI. If the government sees you making money beyond the poverty level you can lose it. It would be very difficult to get back.

That's why im asking for help. IF someone could fundraise the costs and pay the foundation group for me, that would solve the problems. I could be come incorporated and we could get the ball rolling to make a serious impact in people's lives starting here in Michigan, and eventually in all 50 states.

_________________
"We cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love" Mother Teresa

"THERE ARE FOUR LIGHTS!" - Captain Picard from Chain of Command, Part II

@sociologygeek

Try the local approach with your church or even KoC. If you want support, demonstrate the 'proof of concept' and show results. Up to that point it is just another 'go fund me' site.....BTY try that? Hope you don't find that too harsh. It is given from a good heart. Best to you and your efforts.

[quote="Steve M."]@sociologygeek

Try the local approach with your church or even KoC. If you want support, demonstrate the 'proof of concept' and show results. Up to that point it is just another 'go fund me' site.....BTY try that? Hope you don't find that too harsh. It is given from a good heart. Best to you and your efforts.[/quote

I I already tried my church and Casey console Casey Council said they can't help me unless I'm already Incorporated I don't think having a proof of concept would matter. I think the same can be said for my Parish

_________________
"We cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love" Mother Teresa

"THERE ARE FOUR LIGHTS!" - Captain Picard from Chain of Command, Part II

I’m not sure if it would be a good idea to spend money to an company to become IRS approved. This sounds to me like an oxymoron by itself. I’d run my own company for many years an I can tell you that it was sometimes more challenging to do the tax declarations then to get new customers on board. I think the point is: If you not learn to do it from the scratch you will screw it up sooner or later - and as someone said before - a non profit organisation is even more complicated.

I can tell you only from Germany that there are many NGO’s that can help here for free - but of cause you have to do the steps by yourself. I believe that this is also a key for success, because if you not know how all of this work you will not survive the first year...

It's going to be pretty difficult for him to get donations without a tax exempt number.