501(c)(3)

[mynameismelissa]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? PA

I would like to apologize in advance if I am posting in the wrong forum. My question is fairly simple, however. My son is a member of our local junior wrestling club. Every year we host our local tournament for fundraising, as well as one other minor fundraiser. We have a great deal of donations available to our club, however we do not currently possess the required 501(c)(3) so that we can obtain these donations.

I was doing some research on the 501(c)(3), and it is my understanding that we should qualify, it is just a matter of completing a lot of paperwork, and waiting for the IRS decision.

Am I correct in thinking that our club should qualify? Do we need to be incorporated to qualify? Is there anything else I should know?

All of the money which is raised each year is spent within the same year on the kids. The money is used to pay for the kids to attend other tournaments, to purchase new gear, to host a picnic at the end of the year, and to pay for anything else which may be necessary to operate during that year.

Any advice would be appreciated!

Thank you!What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

 

[FlyingRon]

For all practical purposes, you have to be incorporated to get the 501(c)(3) status (yes you can do it with a trust or an unincorporated association but believe me, you probably want to do it as a corporation). You should create the corporation such that the charter expresses the "exempt" purposes.

Tons of info available from the IRS here: http://www.irs.gov/charities/index.html

 

[mynameismelissa]

For all practical purposes, you have to be incorporated to get the 501(c)(3) status (yes you can do it with a trust or an unincorporated association but believe me, you probably want to do it as a corporation). You should create the corporation such that the charter expresses the "exempt" purposes.

Tons of info available from the IRS here: http://www.irs.gov/charities/index.html

Thank you! I will check it out!