Well, we had a great live workshop on filling out the 501(c)3 paperwork and were able to solve a number of problems for a couple of rescues. I am really surprised at what bad legal advice some folks have gotten. In one case, a group was told that they could form an LLC and get 501(c)3 status for it.
A simple reading of the IRS instructions would have save them a ton of money. First, yes, an LLC can apply for tax-exempt status – but ONLY if ALL MEMBERS of the LLC are 501(c)3 themselves. And since an individual can't get 501(c)3 status individually, neither can an LLC composed of individuals. (Something had struck me as odd about that whole setup from the git go, but it took this workshop to get me off my duff to actually look at the rules.)
The second situation involved untangling a morass of poor recordkeeping. I'm hoping that this particular group will be able to resurrect their status without having to refile, but that remains to be seen.
All in all, it was a great evening. Once I found my mysteriously-missing handouts and instructions, it went very smoothly and I know that at least two of the attendees have already sent off for grants for the filing fees or have actually filed their paperwork.
We'll have to do another workshop soon. As a matter of fact, I'm planning one on fundraising right now and that may be the next one we actually put on.
I'm committed to making all live workshops available in internet class format, too. So if you missed the live workshop (with, I might add, a TREMENDOUS CD just FULL of information!) you can take the class online. Just sign up on the website at http://atriskintervention.org. There's a small user fee for some of the courses – that's what supports our work – but there are also a ton of free courses, like the Five Minute Grant Writer.
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