Starting a Not-for-Profit Organisation...HowTo?

JohnCleary

This summer I am taking on a project that will benefit many people in my locality

I have estimated the cost of this project, and while i'm doing it for myself, many people have offered to offer donations to balance the cost provided I give them access to this utility

So if i'm going to be taking donations from people, I want it to be all above board, showing what things have cost me, and how much donations i've been getting...

So what am I looking to set-up here? I want there to be a paper trail incase questions were ever asked (ie. profit made etc). So I guess what i'm trying to organise is a "Not for profit" organisation... Can anyone provide me with a link where i'd get more info?

I presume I shouldnt be registering with the cro since i'm not trying to register a company/business name (Although I would have a name for the organisation, its not a business)

Thanks in advance

Culchie

JohnCleary wrote: »

This summer I am taking on a project that will benefit many people in my locality

I have estimated the cost of this project, and while i'm doing it for myself, many people have offered to offer donations to balance the cost provided I give them access to this utility

So if i'm going to be taking donations from people, I want it to be all above board, showing what things have cost me, and how much donations i've been getting...

So what am I looking to set-up here? I want there to be a paper trail incase questions were ever asked (ie. profit made etc). So I guess what i'm trying to organise is a "Not for profit" organisation... Can anyone provide me with a link where i'd get more info?

I presume I shouldnt be registering with the cro since i'm not trying to register a company/business name (Although I would have a name for the organisation, its not a business)

Thanks in advance

Run it as a club, with a constitution, treasurer/committee etc.... with trustees.

You're above reproach then

trap4

Similar question to OP but I don't think a club is appropriate to my situation. My project is bringing communications solutions to the elderly, disabled and other socially disadvantaged groups. Ideally I'd love to equip these people with the hardware, software, training and support required without asking them to pay a cent.

I'm aware that there are many avenues of funding open to me if I was a registered charity but I'm also conscious of the possibility to turn this into a modestly profitable (enough to pay me a wage) business by other means.

Any advice on how to proceed? I was told by a friend of a friend recently to be careful about the articles of association of forming a not-for-profit with a view to becoming a charity. Can anyone shed more light on that please?

She also advised I should be able to get an accountant or solicitor to help me pro-bono. Are there really people like that out there? ;-p

Culchie

From what I can see you just set yourself up as a sole trader here. If you make profit you pay your taxes due, if not you don't.

It's not really the same thing as OP's post, there are plenty companies out there (especially in 2008) that are not profitable.

newman10

You first need to get a solicitor to check out the Charities Act which comes in to law next year, this may help you determine if you are a charity.

You then need to register wit Revenue (Nenagh office I think) and they will determine if you are a charity or not.