>I have a lot of experience managing a nonprofit, and would strongly
>suggest organizing as a project of an existing 501(c)3 photographic
>organization. A startup group faces some real challenges in developing
>an active board of directors. Remember, the charge of the board of
>directors is the 3 g's - Get Money, Give Money or Get Out! You don't
>get the serious board members in the first few years.
>
>Groups that start off small and expect to grow usually have a lot of
>problems. 80% of most nonprofit's money comes from individual
>donations. Corporate & government grants are usually only for specific
>projects, and do not cover general expenses. You need a core of those
>$500 a year donors who know how to put the touch on their friends.
>
>You can organize as a 501(c)6 with no problems. Use the 501(c)3
>sponsorship when your donor needs the tax deduction. Remember you will
>be faced with several income tests as a 501(c)3. Sales of donated
>prints will probably be the biggest fundraiser in the beginning, but
>will be limited to 1/3 of cash donations as a 501(c)3. You may find the
>ability to sell prints, even as a fundraiser, prohibited. Partner as a
>project with a big group like APERTURE of Friends of Photography, and
>you will be able to raise money much faster because the income will be
>matched against their much greater charitable income. Even when you
>count the usual 5% management fee. And the folks who buy those prints
>are the future power board members.
>
Dick replies:
I have to agree with you on some points and disagree on others. I have been a board member and founder of several 501 (c) (3) (educational and charitable) orgainizations. Soho Camerworks and Cameravision in LA. and a computer professional organization, PCPA. Yes the paperwork is a hassle as you have to constantly show you are not a front for some profit making someone or something.
>
>I have been a board member of organizations that were a part of existing groups (1) the now defunct Photography Council of the Museum of Contemporary Arts (MOCA) in Los Angeles and the (2) the Advisory Board of the Museum of Contemporary Photography (MOPA) in San Diego, this was basically a support group.
>
>Point 1. You sell your soul. The parent organization always knows best. It's a long story basically involving the Max Yavno endowment, but the MOCA died for this reason, MOCA zigged we zagged.
>
>Point 2. Somewhat related to point 1. You cite Friends, a very honorable organization, but what type of support do you think they are going to give alternative photography. This is THE HOME of the zone system. It is possible that we could umbrella under a school or similar institution, but photo groups are built around a vision and a philosophy, if it was compatible with ours, it would already exist and we wouldn't have to think about our own.
>
>Point 3. Who says we start off small. I figure we could get 1000 to 2000 members right off the bat. We've got PhotoArts, PhotoTechniques and View Camera all of whom most likely will support us. At $25.00 dues that gives us $25,000 to $50,000 to work with. If we expand to include the silver printers even more.
>
>Point 4. The 501 (c) (6) (social clubs etc.) might make some sense but it would preclude having Kodak, Polaroid, Ilford or whatever from granting research. I haven't considered donated prints as a fundraiser, as I think it is a bad idea. I think dues will cover it in the beginning, with possibly some corporate support. I might be dreaming but...
>
>I don't dismiss out of hand what you say. This is quite a cockeyed idea, but one if we get behind, will work. Of course it's all in the details and for that I thank you. We have the Internet as an organizing tool as well.
>
>Thanks for the input.
>
>Dick
>
>
>
>At 04:27 PM 5/22/97 -0500, you wrote:
>>I have a lot of experience managing a nonprofit, and would strongly
>>suggest organizing as a project of an existing 501(c)3 photographic
>>organization. A startup group faces some real challenges in developing
>>an active board of directors. Remember, the charge of the board of
>>directors is the 3 g's - Get Money, Give Money or Get Out! You don't
>>get the serious board members in the first few years.
>>
>>Groups that start off small and expect to grow usually have a lot of
>>problems. 80% of most nonprofit's money comes from individual
>>donations. Corporate & government grants are usually only for specific
>>projects, and do not cover general expenses. You need a core of those
>>$500 a year donors who know how to put the touch on their friends.
>>
>>You can organize as a 501(c)6 with no problems. Use the 501(c)3
>>sponsorship when your donor needs the tax deduction. Remember you will
>>be faced with several income tests as a 501(c)3. Sales of donated
>>prints will probably be the biggest fundraiser in the beginning, but
>>will be limited to 1/3 of cash donations as a 501(c)3. You may find the
>>ability to sell prints, even as a fundraiser, prohibited. Partner as a
>>project with a big group like APERTURE of Friends of Photography, and
>>you will be able to raise money much faster because the income will be
>>matched against their much greater charitable income. Even when you
>>count the usual 5% management fee. And the folks who buy those prints
>>are the future power board members.
>>
>>David
>>
>>
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