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501 C Not for profit - How to start?

AJ Drew

AJ Drew

Does anyone have any experience with starting a 501 C Not for Profit organization?  Have been operating a weekly pot luck sort of thing where the rules are you do not have to bring anything.  It is getting obvious that we have some folk who are bringing much more than they take.  Others, taking much more than they ever bring.  In other words, great people who want to willingly share their prosperity and others who legitimately need.

Its only at an event that lasts six weekends, but I want to add take home foods.  So I think I am talking about starting a food bank.  Who knows, might get year round.  Thing is, do not want to get sued out of existence when someone gets some bad food or what ever.  Hey, it happens.  Just last week we bought tons of sausage, some one volunteered to be grill master, what happens when the volunteer doesnt cook it all the way threw?  See what I mean?
 
You'll have to file articles of incorporation with the state.  My state allows you to do this online.  Not sure about KY.  Look into Form 1023-EZ - you may qualify for this streamlined application.  You will have to check with your state to see if you need to file an exemption with them.  You'll need insurance to cover you if someone gets sick.  Hope this helps. 
 
Find a local 501.C.3 that is doing something remotely similar or that can be brought in as the umbrella organization.  A local food bank, church, some local non-profit that will take this on as an outreach program.  If you don't have the funds to go through the whole licensing process and to also support the endeavor, get it under an existing nonprofit. 
 
 
 
We have a local 501.c.3 that umbrellas several different but related projects.  Some projects have come and gone, including the local shared use community kitchen/incubator kitchen.  but the umbrella organization is still functioning. 
 
salsalady said:
Find a local 501.C.3 that is doing something remotely similar or that can be brought in as the umbrella organization.  A local food bank, church, some local non-profit that will take this on as an outreach program.  If you don't have the funds to go through the whole licensing process and to also support the endeavor, get it under an existing nonprofit.
 
We have a local 501.c.3 that umbrellas several different but related projects.  Some projects have come and gone, including the local shared use community kitchen/incubator kitchen.  but the umbrella organization is still functioning. 
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This is very sound advice.  You can also potentially hit up corporate sponsors (and get free T-shirts, woop!).  All of the Fortune 500's I have worked for give their employees paid "Volunteer Hours" each year that can be spent doing local charity work during regular work hours or on weekends.  Most of those employees get to choose which charity they wish to spend their time with and they can frequently draw support from an entire branch of the company in question.  Running a non-profit can be a gigantic headache.  It is much easier to partner up with someone who has similar interests and a greater reach for one-off or annual things.
 
Don't let this stop you, but I do advise exhausting your other options before starting a second business that will take as much time from you as your main business without returning any capital.  Cheers.
 
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