I set up a 501c3 for our team (first year Div 1 FLL.)  It will run approx

$500, but it opened up getting corporate sponsors.  I did it all myself- so

there were no lawyer fees, etc.  The NOLO book series is a good step by step

guide.  You'll have to incorporate in your state first, but need to know the

federal (IRS) requirements so that you can have the correct language in your

founding documents.  Part of the application process is being able to

document your charitable purpose- we submitted copies of our website, fund

raising letter, general information about FLL, and our organizational

documents.  The overall process took approx 2 months (in Virginia.)  



The only concern when you get into pass through situations is that if you

are the downstream team, you have the potential issue of the 501c3 not

passing the donation along to you.  (Donors to charitable organizations are

not allowed to control their gifts- so you want to make sure you have a good

relationship with the 501c3.) If you are the 501c3, your concern is making

sure that the donated money is being used for the stated charitable purpose.



While I was waiting for my non-profit approval, I did have a Booz Allen

donation get funneled through another FLL group.  It was fine, but you do

feel like you have no control over the funds.  



Tom



-----Original Message-----

From: First Lego League in Virginia and DC

[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Nicholas Duan

Sent: Monday, December 13, 2010 4:20 PM

To: [log in to unmask]

Subject: [VADCFLL-L] Setting up Non-profit org for FLL/FTC/FRC



Has anyone tried to setup a non-profit 501c(3) organization to solicit

fundings for community-based FLL/FTC/FRC teams?  Or how to do a pass-through

of funds via an existing 501c(3) organization that support First activities?

I remember reading some messages on this mailing list a while ago about

organizations eligible for doing pass-through.  Money may not be a big issue

with FLL, but it will definitely getting very costly if you are in FTC and

FRCs.



Any suggestions and recommendations would be highly appreciated. 



Thanks a lot!



ND



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