Hi-
Does anyone out there know the ins-and-outs of non-profit status enough to help me think through “franchising” Preserving Traditions? I want to keep my relationship with the Grange, but I also would like others to be able to start branches that aren’t housed at a Grange. We’re doing this informally now, but I can see it growing to the point where something formal needs to be set up.
Emily
MK said,
September 11, 2009 at 4:41 pm
How to form a tax exempt organization:
http://www.stayexempt.irs.gov/mini-courses/applyfortaxexempt/player.html
Suzie said,
September 11, 2009 at 9:11 pm
Right now PT isnt’ functioning as a non-profit (with a board, etc.) – and if you were, it seems like it might be hard for the grange or other groups to know best how to work with it. I have theoretically lots of ideas on the pros & cons, though not the legal expertise on all that is possible. We can talk more later when I’m back in town.
In the meantime, here’s one possibility of a model — http://naturecircles.org/ has franchised itself by providing clear and easy-to-follow ways for anyone to set up their own nature circle. It’s a program of Hooked on Nature, but they make it widely available, and again, anyone can start one on their own.
Emily said,
September 12, 2009 at 8:13 am
I like this idea – I don’t think I really want to start a formal 503c non-profit; I just need to know how to spread this idea without getting into legal trouble, and while still having some bit of control over what’s done under the name “Preserving Traditions.”