Do I have to File for Tax Exempt Status to be a Nonprofit?

No.  Incorporating in the state in which the Nonprofit organization will be located qualifies as a Nonprofit Corporation. However, the benefits of filing for tax exempt status are:

1.             The organization is exempt from having to pay federal taxes on income it receives.

2.             Donors (monetary contributors) are able to take a charitable deduction for their donations on their personal tax returns.

3.             The 501(c)(3) Federal Tax Exempt Status organization can apply for state tax exemption and real property tax exemption for real property that the organization owns.

4.             The 501(c)(3) Federal Tax Exempt Status organization can apply for GRANTS (Free Money) to fund their programs.

For example, suppose you wanted to operate a community development center, which provides tutoring for school-aged children, GED preparation, and computer training.  Well, you definitely cannot rely on donations from the public at large, and therefore need an alternative source of funding.  That alternative source of funding is grants.

There is definitely a sustainable Network of Effective Funders across the United States where corporations and foundations leverage public and private funds to disburse GRANTS TO COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS that provide direct services to children, youth, and their families.

However, the key is to reach out and help the community by establishing a nonprofit organization.  Compu-Perfect Professional Services, owned by Karmen A. Booker can help you write your vision, make it plain and fund your vision.  We can assist you from Start to Finish in establishing your nonprofit organization and securing your 501(c)(3) status, and obtaining GRANTS (Free Money) to help fund the nonprofit’s programs and services.  We are offering Special Discounts, so  contact us at (301) 408-1082.

Karmen A. Booker is an Attorney, Business Consultant and Owner of Compu-Perfect Professional Services, a business consulting firm specializing in Business Entity Formation (Corporations, Limited Liability Companies, and Nonprofit Corporations), Completing 501(c)(3) Federal Tax Exemption Applications, Grant Research and Writing services, and more.

Mrs. Booker has 18+ years experience,and has established hundreds of nonprofit organizations in Georgia,Florida,Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, New York, Texas, Virginia, and Washington, DC and assisted them in getting through the technical and arduous maze of the 501(c)(3) tax exemption application.  She has a 100% success rate in 501(c)(3) approvals. CALL her TODAY at (301) 408-1082.

Five Tips That Help Produce a Great Nonprofit Board – Getting Your Board Members on Board

1. Select Wisely

Wisdom, integrity and commitment, are critical. Therefore, select people to serve on your board who truly believe in who you are, what you do, how you do it, and who care enough about your organization to go into the community and actively persuade others to support your work.

2.  Articulate Your Expectations

Before bringing them on board, let them know your expectations and their responsibilities.

3. Create a “Messaging Package”

Everyone affiliated with your organization needs to “stay on message” when it comes to explaining to others what your organization is all about. Therefore, create a “messaging package” that includes a positioning statement, or “elevator speech,” as well as supporting statements that clearly articulate your organization’s key messages.  Be sure that everyone in your organization knows what those messages are.

4. Encourage Board Members to Deliver Your Messages to the Community

Once board members understand your brand messages, encourage them to speak in front of local civic organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce, YMCA, YWCA, and church groups to tell their colleagues and families about your organization and the important work it performs in your community. These are all effective and cost-free branding opportunities that many organizations overlook.

5. Get Your Board Members to Work as a Team

Board members need each other’s support, and need to know each other as colleagues who share a common mission. If they exchange ideas at regularly scheduled board meetings and informally between meetings, they are more likely to promote the organization’s mission and support its fund-raising activities.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Karmen A. Booker is an Attorney, Business Consultant and Owner of Compu-Perfect Professional Services, a business consulting firm specializing in Business Entity Formation (Corporations, Limited Liability Companies, and Nonprofit Corporations), Completing 501(c)(3) Federal Tax Exemption Applications, Grant Research and Writing services, and more.

The Nonprofit Board is an e-book developed by Attorney Karmen A. Booker.  It discusses the following:

*  Are You Considering Being on the Nonprofit Board

*  Recruiting Nonprofit of Members

*  Getting Nonprofit Board Members

*  Legal Responsibilities of Nonprofit Boards

*  Getting Commitment from Nonprofit Board Members

*  Effective Nonprofit Board Leadership

*  Tips for Having an Efficient Nonprofit Board Meeting

*  Job Descriptions

It also has a Sample Nonprofit Board Survey Letter and a Sample Nonprofit Board Survey.

“The Nonprofit Board” is a valuable resource for all Nonprofit Organizations who desire to discover information and tools that will help them recruit committed Board members and maintain organization efficiency through the Board.

 

GET YOUR COPY TODAY on SALE for only $9.99.  Just click on the Buy Now button below.

Checklist for Building Nonprofit Capacity Building

This checklist can help nonprofits become clearer about what organizational issues need attention.  Issues to review on a regular basis include:

Planning – Is the organization working from a strategic plan and tracking progress?

Programs and Services – An organization needs to be able to show that programs and services have been offered based on community need and consumer feedback. Programs need to demonstrate effective outcomes, and use of effective practices.

Board –  Is the board focused on governance: policy, fiscal oversight and fund raising. The board should not be involved with day-to-day management, and should be very strongly engaged in fund raising with donors and special events.

Staff –  Having a staff considered to be experts in their fields makes a huge difference in organizational effectiveness. Low staff turnover and high staff engagement in planning and feedback are important.

Volunteers – Many agencies can recruit student interns, Americorps/Vista volunteers, and community volunteers.

Finance – Organizations need to do financial planning that is responsive to the current economic challenges. Budgets should reflect anticipated cuts from contracts and grants. Directors  and the Finance Committee should review income and expenses on a regular basis and recommend changes as needed.   The organization should develop a system for decrease in donor contributions and decrease grant funding.

Fund Raising – The organization should analyze where there might be new opportunities for institutional giving (foundation grants, government contracts, civic or faith community gifts). However, the place where many organizations will find the greatest potential will be with increasing donor income, especially income from major donors. Donors provide about 85% of all giving in the U.S., according to Giving USA, which means, they are an important source. Moreover, many donors will probably find that their finances are improving during 2011, and will engage in more charitable giving.

Use this checklist with board and staff. Develop a plan to build strength in each of these areas and track progress.

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Karmen A. Booker is an Attorney, Business Consultant and Owner of Compu-Perfect Professional Services, a business consulting firm specializing in Business Entity Formation (Corporations, Limited Liability Companies, and Nonprofit Corporations), Completing 501(c)(3) Federal Tax Exemption Applications, Grant Research and Writing services, and more.

Attorney Karmen A. Booker has developed a Report entitled “Fundraising Tips”, which provides information regarding:

• Developing a Fundraising Plan

• Writing a Fundraising Letter

• Specific Fundraising Tips such as selling advertisement space in your newsletter and on your website, and more.

GET YOUR COPY TODAY for Only $5.00 – http://store.payloadz.com/go?id=785511

She is also the author of the “Nonprofit Handbook”, that provides strategies and tips for your Nonprofit 501(c)(3) Organization.  This Handbook is a valuable resource for all Nonprofit Organizations who desire to use effective tools that will undoubtedly yield quality services for their target markets.  GET YOUR COPY TODAY by clicking on the Nonprofit Handbook Cover on the right sidebar of her blogsite – www.howtostartanonprofitorganization.wordpress.com

One-on-One Consulting

 

Thank you for visiting my Nonprofit Site.

By coming to this page, you probably have questions about nonprofits, board governance, grants, fundraising, strategic planning, etc.

In an effort to better accommodate the requests, we distribute FREE Articles bi-weekly through this Blogsite.  SUBSCRIBE TODAY.   By SUBSCRIBING you’ll also be informed when we are hosting our FREE monthly Teleseminars, where Attorney Booker discusses topics ranging from nonprofit business development, strategic planning, corporate sponsorship, how to get donors, fiscal sponsorship, board governance,  and so much more, including questions about the Board of Directors, i.e., can you pay your board members, etc.

Attorney Booker is available to advise you through a One-on-One appointment (see Non profit Coaching rates below).

Non profit Coaching Consultation:

If you prefer a One-on-One consultation, the consulting rate is $150/hour (minimum 1-hour charge).  After the first hour, consulting will be billed at 30 minute intervals ($75.00/half hour).

It doesn’t matter where you are in the world, Attorney Booker has aided in forming and consulting countless nonprofits throughout the United States and some operating globally. 

1.  Aimes-Afrique (Maryland / Togo)

2.  Hephizabeh Today (Virginia / Haiti)

3.  Elohim Ministries International (Maryland / Nigeria)

4.  El Shaddai Empowerment Services (Maryland / Cameroon)

5.  Hopeful Horizons Charitable Foundation (Virginia / Ghana)

6.  In Step Seniors (Washington, DC)

7 .  Jardins d’Eden  (Maryland / Ivory Coast)

8.  Mountain of Hope Global Prayer Outreach Networking Ministries (New York)

9.  Try God Ministries, Inc. (Mississippi)

10.  Chabash International Health Foundation (Louisiana)

To schedule an appointment, select the “Buy Now“ button below for either an afternoon or evening consultation (Eastern Standard Time).  All appointments are virtual via Conference Call or Skype.

After the first hour, additional charges will be assessed at 30 minute intervals.

You’ll receive a link to schedule your One-on-One Consultation as soon as you register by clicking the Appropriate Buy Now option.

Don’t hesitate to call our office with any questions at 301-408-1082. 

Thank you,

Attorney Karmen A. Booker, Nonprofit Coach / Consultant

 

 

 

Nonprofit Coaching

Have you been wanting to start a nonprofit and have no idea where to start?

Do you have an idea for a nonprofit, but don’t know how to develop your vision or mission?

Do you need support and guidance in building your nonprofit from the ground up?

Do you wonder how to get committed board members for your nonprofit and how to have effective board member meetings?

Are you looking for ways to get donors who give consistently throughout the year?

 If the answer to any of these questions is “YES”, then I invite you to join me as a participant in my Nonprofit Coaching Program.

JOIN Attorney Karmen A. Booker to discover key factors for building and developing a Nonprofit Organization by registering for her monthly individual coaching program OR  3-month Group Coaching Package.

Attorney Booker will teach you:

• How to Develop Your Vision / Mission for Your Nonprofit Organization
• How to Build your Nonprofit’s Board of Directors and the Legal Responsibilities of Board of Directors
• How to Use Volunteers and Tips to Keep Them Coming
• Strategic Planning for Nonprofit Organizations
• Fundraising Tips and Strategies
• Getting Charitable Donors for your Nonprofit

You Will also Receive a FREE COPY of Attorney Booker’s Book, “Nonprofit Handbook”, which provides strategies and effective tools for your Nonprofit Organization that will yield premium quality services for those you serve.

Take Advantage and Register for Attorney’s Individual Coaching Package – $249.00 per month

          OR

 3-month Group Coaching Package – $599.00

 Register here, before we run out of space (Only 50 spaces are available):  https://howtostartanonprofitorganization.wordpress.com/coaching/

This is a GREAT OPPORTUNITY to learn what it takes to establish a nonprofit organization, maintain an existing nonprofit organization and Take it to the Next Level, so you can help transform the lives of others (men, women, youth, and children)  through your nonprofit programs and services.

Oh, and let me mention this . . .

You will undoubtedly reap the benefits of Nonprofit Coaching, which are:

• Increased task completion in a timely manner and productivity
• Improved skills and fundraising skills
• Improved relationships with officers and board of directors
• Increased ability and confidence in exercising leadership on a daily basis
• Improved ability to move the organization towards its goals and vision

You’ll receive your APPLICATION for the Nonprofit Coaching as soon as you register here:  https://howtostartanonprofitorganization.wordpress.com/coaching/

Please know that allotted spaces for the Coaching Session is extremely limited in that there are only 50 spaces available for the 3-month Group Coaching Session.  As you can imagine, allotted spaces will fill very quickly, so you’ll want to act now.

Please make it a priority to join me so we can help you establish and maintain your Nonprofit Organization and Take it to the Next Level.

P.S. Yes, by all means please forward this email to as many of your friends and associates as you’d like, so they too can register using the link below, but please remember to register ASAP, so we don’t run out of space.

https://howtostartanonprofitorganization.wordpress.com/coaching/

$249.00  per month

 

 

$599.00 – 3 month group coaching package (Save $148)

 

 

Cost effective  2 installment payment plan for the 3 month group coaching package – 2 payments of $299.50

Sources of Nonprofit Income

* Individuals.  They are the largest source of funding for nonprofit organizations. According to Giving USA, total charitable giving in the U.S. reached more than $303 billion in 2009, and 75% came from individuals.

* Corporations give in order to get…exposure, publicity, and community respect. Their funding is sporadic and tends to revolve around particular campaigns, events, and projects. Corporate funding can be a good source of support for new initiatives, special programs, and special events. Look for opportunities to form partnerships for sponsorships.

* Federal, State and Local Governments. Federal, state, and local government grants fund many programs provided by nonprofits, especially in areas such as ecnomic development.

* Federated Funds such as United Ways, United Arts, etc., can be steady sources of relatively large amounts of money to well established nonprofit organizations.

* Grantmaking Public Charities. These organizations are a cross between a private foundation and a charity. They typically receive funding from the general public, government, and private foundations. They may do public service, but primarily raise funds and provide grants to charitable nonprofits that provide direct service. You can find many such grantmaking public charities in your local area.

* Foundations come in various sizes and types.

Private Foundations include:

1. Corporate Foundations – private foundations, but their boards are often made up of corporate officers. Their endowment funds are separate from the corporation and they have their own staff.

2. Family Foundations – receive endowments from individuals or families. Examples of family foundations are: Gates Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, and Ford Foundation. These family foundations have endowments in the billions, but most family foundations are much smaller, tend to fund locally, and often have little to no professional staff.

3.  Community Foundations –  public foundations that pool the assets of many donors. They work to improve their  communities through grant-making, awarding scholarships, and providing services to donors. Community Foundations have become very active in providing donor-advised funds for donors who want to become more purposeful in their giving but don’t want to set up their own private foundations.

Ongoing support is usually gained through:

* The Annual Fund. An annual appeal to a core group of constituents. Such funds are usually  available for any use, and may represent a large percentage of your annual income.

* Sales of Products and Services. Some non-profits or provide services that can represent a substantial income stream. For example, the Girl Scouts has an annual Girl Scout cookie sale and Goodwill Industries is probably the largest nonprofit retailer. Earned income must be related to the mission of the organization, or it can be taxed as unrelated business income.

* Multi-Year Grants. A grant-giving organization such as a foundation may provide restricted funding for a particular project or program, or unrestricted funding to help cover the overhead costs of running the organization.

* Endowment Income. Many large nonprofits, such as  higher education institutions and healthcare organizations, build up large endowment funds that produce interest that is used to support the organization.

Episodic funding can come from foundation or corporate grants or  special events.  These funds may be restricted to one purpose or devoted to unrestricted use by the nonprofit.

Two Special Types of Fundraising

Two types of funding fall outside the scope of ongoing and episodic methods and include a wide range of sources.

* The Capital Campaign. A capital campaign is a multi-year fundraising campaign with a particular goal such as:

* funding a new building

* raising funds for a particular project, such as cancer research

* increasing a particular asset such as an endowment

* Planned Giving. Most nonprofits now have planned giving programs which enable a donor to confer a gift at the time of his/her death or to give a large gift immediately while receiving income during the donor’s life.

A good fundraising plan will include a balance of these techniques and sources. Establishing unrestricted, ongoing funding is the most important, followed by other funding that will grow the organization.

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Karmen A. Booker is an Attorney, Business Consultant and Owner of Compu-Perfect Professional Services, a business consulting firm specializing in Business Entity Formation (Corporations, Limited Liability Companies, and Nonprofit Corporations), Completing 501(c)(3) Federal Tax Exemption Applications, Grant Research and Writing services, and more.

Attorney Karmen A. Booker has developed an E-book  called “Fundraising for Nonprofits”. It  provides Fundraising Tips that include but are not limited to

• Developing a Fundraising Plan

• Writing a Fundraising Letter

• Over 15 Specific Fundraising Projects, and more.

GET YOUR COPY NOW – $5.00

Marketing Tips for Nonprofits on a Tight Budget

Financial resources greatly how well nonprofits can market their programs and services. Most nonprofits don’t have sufficient funds to do everything they would like to, but it is important to use what funds are available to the fullest extent. Therefore, this article provides marketing tips for nonprofits.

1. If you have a board member who is a marketing professional, perhaps they could help you develop marketing materials.
2. You can ask marketers to do pro bono work for the organization.
3. Call or e-mail the volunteers in your volunteer pool, and ask if they are marketing professionals or have a connection to a marketer?
4. Call the marketing program at a local university to see if they have a marketing student available to develop marketing materials or campaigns.
5. Contact a nonprofit organization that does a great job marketing its services and programs,  and inquire about the marketing specialist they use.
6. Contact a local marketing firm to see if they are willing to do any pro bono work for your organization. In exchange for their marketing services, you could place their ads or their link on your website, so when people click on it, they are taken directly to the marketing firm’s website.

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Karmen A. Booker is an Attorney, Business Consultant and Owner of Compu-Perfect Professional Services, a business consulting firm specializing in Business Entity Formation (Corporations, Limited Liability Companies, and Nonprofit Corporations), Completing 501(c)(3) Federal Tax Exemption Applications, Grant Research and Writing services, and more.

Fundraising for Nonprofits

Attorney Karmen A. Booker has developed an E-book  called “Fundraising for Nonprofits ”. It  provides Fundraising Tips that include but are not limited to

• Developing a Fundraising Plan

• Writing a Fundraising Letter

• Over 15 Specific Fundraising Projects, and more.

GET YOUR COPY TODAY – $5.00

Checklist for Website Content

Everyone says that good content is a must-have on your nonprofit website, but what content is most important?

In Internet Management for Nonprofits provides a list of content that one needs to see on a nonprofit website. Make sure you have everything on your website that a newcomer would want to know about. The list is as follows:

* Home page

* Mission Statement

* Services and programs

* Goals

* What’s new

* Accomplishments

* Brief history

* Issues or causes

* Message from executive director

* Press Releases

* Past and future events

* Urgent action alerts

* Testimonials

* Photo album

* Endorsements or awards

* Donor hall of fame

* Privacy and security policy

* Annual report

* IRS Form 990

* Documents to download

* How your organization can help

* Frequently asked questions

* Links

* Staff list and bios

* Board list and bios

* Contact information

*  How to donate

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Karmen A. Booker is an Attorney, Business Consultant and Owner of Compu-Perfect Professional Services, a business consulting firm specializing in Business Entity Formation (Corporations, Limited Liability Companies, and Nonprofit Corporations), Completing 501(c)(3) Federal Tax Exemption Applications, Grant Research and Writing services, and more.

Attorney Karmen A. Booker has developed an E-book  called “Fundraising for Nonprofits”. It  provides Fundraising Tips that include but are not limited to

• Developing a Fundraising Plan

• Writing a Fundraising Letter

• Over 15 Specific Fundraising Projects, and more.

GET YOUR COPY NOW – $5.00

6 Tips for Effective Emails for Nonprofits

1. Follow the CAN-SPAM Act Rules.

Follow the CAN-SPAM Act, which  was instituted by the government in 2003 to cut down on misleading emails, to the letter or risk being fined. Most of the rules that apply to commercial emails apply as well to nonprofits.

2. Personalize Your Email.

Without personalization, your email looks like junk-mail and may be discarded. Personalization is also a good communication tool. People like to be addressed by their names and become more open to your message. Email software makes it easy to insert your constituent’s name into your email messages.

3. Follow the Principles of Good Direct Mail

Personalize, write a compelling case, and make it clear what you want the reader to do. But, in addition, spend time making your landing page effective so that the person will take the action you want, whether it is agreeing to receive more information, purchase something, or making a donation.

4. Write an Effective Subject Line

Work hard on your subject line. Mention the name of your organization so that it is immediately recognizable. Email recipients are more wary than ever of hype of any kind, so avoid all-caps, exclamation marks, and hyper-active words.

5. Give the Recipient Something of Value

Provide the receiver with good content, such as an update on your fundraising campaign. Donors receive too many communications from too many organizations.  Therefore, make yours relevant, interesting, and valuable.

6. Don’t Be There Today but Gone Tomorrow

Commit to email communication for the long haul. A very small percentage of donations are generated through email, but the percentage is increasing.  Repetition builds confidence.  Recipients are more likely to open emails that they have seen before and that arrive on a regular basis.

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Karmen A. Booker is an Attorney, Business Consultant and Owner of Compu-Perfect Professional Services, a business consulting firm specializing in Business Entity Formation (Corporations, Limited Liability Companies, and Nonprofit Corporations), Completing 501(c)(3) Federal Tax Exemption Applications, Grant Research and Writing services, and more.

Attorney Karmen A. Booker has developed a Report entitled “Fundraising Tips”, which provides information regarding:

• Developing a Fundraising Plan

• Writing a Fundraising Letter

• Specific Fundraising Tips such as selling advertisement space in your newsletter and on your website, and more.

GET YOUR COPY TODAY for Only $5.00 – http://store.payloadz.com/go?id=78551

She is also the author of the “Nonprofit Handbook”, that provides strategies and tips for your Nonprofit 501(c)(3) Organization.  This Handbook is a valuable resource for all Nonprofit Organizations who desire to use effective tools that will undoubtedly yield quality services for their target markets.  GET YOUR COPY TODAY by clicking on the Nonprofit Handbook Cover on the right sidebar of her blogsite – www.howtostartanonprofitorganization.wordpress.com

Nonprofit e-Book Bundle Holiday Special

Holiday Special – $40.00