providing rescue through non-profit business
Setting up a non-profit rescue organization involves a few steps. Namely, define the organization mission and structure, find corporate officers, file for tax-exempt status and set up a rescue program. Enlisting the help of a dedicated staff of qualified professionals is essential to maintaining the non-profit's mission. In addition, advertising the goals and mission of the organization will help secure valuable volunteers to ensure the success of the organization.
Instructions
Setting Up the Non-Profit Organization
1. Choose the type of rescue for the organization's mission. This could be animal, people, land or other causes.
2. Choose a corporate structure for the organization. A General, S or C corporation must be created to gain non-profit status. The types of corporations differ in taxation and liability.
3. Locate qualified corporate officers to hold the positions of President, Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Board of Directors, if needed.
4. Complete an Articles of Incorporation to declare your business as a corporation. Obtain a Federal tax ID number. You can do through directly through the Internal Revenue Service's website.
5. Complete IRS form 1023 (Application for Recognition of Exemption) for non-profit 501c3 tax exemption status. To qualify for tax-exempt status, the corporation's mission must fall under at least one of the following categories---amateur sports, cruelty prevention towards animals or children, literacy of education, science, religion, public safety or charity.
6. Check with your state's Department of Commerce to see if its necessary to file as tax-exempt on the state level. Non-profit corporations are exempt from property and state sales tax.
7. Obtain necessary permits and licenses to operate a rescue in your state.
8. List the places from which the corporation will receive rescue. Research available sources of rescues with which your organization can work.
Setting Up the Rescue Facility
9. Rent or purchase a facility to run daily shelter operations, rescues and recoveries.
10. Create a working budget that will cover the costs of shelter, care, staffing and insurance.
11. Locate a rescue shelter staff that includes qualified professionals to run the shelter, rescue and recovery efforts. Also, enlist the help of volunteers such as students, retirees and others who believe in the organization's mission.
12. Organize detailed procedures for an application, screening and selection process. Train appropriate staff on operating the shelter on a day-to-day basis.
13. Advertise the non-profit corporation and its mission in local media outlets in the community. This will garner volunteers and staff who believe in the mission.
Tags: organization mission, corporate officers, corporation mission, file tax-exempt, qualified professionals, rescue organization, tax-exempt status