The Resource Center for Disability Advocates | News & Articles | The Advocacy Guide E-Newsletter The Advocacy Guide January 2006 This e-newsletter is intended to provide useful information to both individuals and nonprofit organizations to help them more effectively achieve their mission and improve the lives of people with disabilities. Topics will include fundraising, grant writing, the start-up process, sensitivity training, financial management, technical assistance, independent living, strategic planning, organizational management and the legislative process. New at the Game: Starting a 501(c)3 Consultants 101 Required Reporting to Donors Featured Training: Sensitivity Training Upcoming Free Overview Workshops New at the Game: Starting a 501(c)3 Starting a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization can be exciting and overwhelming at the same time. In addition to clearly and concisely expressing the purpose of the organization in a written statement and forming a board of directors, there are many other elements involved in the process of starting up a nonprofit organization. File articles of incorporation: Although not all nonprofits are incorporated, those that wish to do so can contact the Secretary of State or the Office of the Attorney General for the requirements. Draft bylaws: As the operating rules of the organization, bylaws should be drafted and approved by the board members in the early stages of the nonprofit's development. An attorney specializing in nonprofit law can be helpful throughout this process. Create and implement a strategic plan: During this process, it is imperative that the organization determine its vision. Next, formulate an outline of the steps necessary to reach the organization's vision/goal. Develop a resource development plan and budget: Board members are responsible for overseeing finances and resource development (i.e.~ fundraising, membership, etc.). A description of the resources needed for the implementation of the strategic plan should be included. File for IRS federal tax exempt status: Under sections 501(c)3 and sometimes 501(c)4, nonprofit corporations can receive tax exempt status if they have an educational, charitable, religious, scientific, or cultural purpose(s). Form 1023 (application) and publication 557 (instructions) must be obtained from the local IRS office to apply for tax exempt status. Since this application is a legal document, it is helpful to consult with an attorney during this process. File for state and local tax exemptions: Contact the state, county, or municipal department of revenue to apply for exemption from income, sales, and property taxes. Meet requirements of state, county, and municipal charitable solicitation laws: In most states and localities, a permit/license must be obtained and an annual report must be submitted to be in compliance. Upcoming Free Overview Workshops: January 23, 2006 Intermediate Unit # 25 200 Yale Avenue Morton, PA 19070 February 6, 2006 PaTTAN 6340 Flank Drive, Suite 600 Harrisburg, PA 17112 February 13, 2006 Oxford Valley Mall 2300 E. Lincoln Hwy. Langhorne, PA 19047 March 6, 2006 Three Rivers Center for Independent Living 900 Rebecca Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15221-2938 March 20, 2006 Altoona Railroader's Memorial Museum 1300 Ninth Ave. Altoona, PA 16602 *All workshops are held 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. For more information or to R.S.V.P. to an overview workshop, please call John Tassone at (800) 323-6060. If reasonable accommodations are needed, please give at least two weeks notice. Consultants 101 When to Use a Consultant According to Carter McNamara, Ph.D., the situations listed below are when a nonprofit organization might need to use a consultant: The organization has no expertise in the area(s) of need. Time of need is short term (less than 1 year). The organization's previous attempts to meet their own needs were unsuccessful. Disagreements arise amongst organization members and a consultant is needed to help them agree on how to meet the need. To do the work that no one is qualified or wants to do. Where to Get Consultants Contact professional associations such as trainers, lawyers, fundraisers, accountants, facilitators, etc. Look in the local Yellow Pages under the categories "Consultant" and "Volunteering." Contact local large corporations; they can provide management and technical expertise through community service programs. Call a local college or university and ask to speak to someone in the college of Human Resources, Training and Development, or Business Administration. Ask similar nonprofit organizations for contacts and references. Required Reporting to Donors In accordance with federal and state regulations, nonprofits are required to report specific information to donors. State regulations can be obtained from the Secretary of State or the Office of the Attorney General. Effective January 1, 1994, nonprofits are required to follow substantiation and disclosure requirements when they have received donations of $250 or more when the donor receives something tangible in return that is worth $75 or more. Donors can no longer rely on canceled checks as proof that they have made a charitable contribution. Nonprofits must provide donors with a written confirmation of each donation of $250 or more, which should state the donor's name, date the gift was received, and a description of the donation. As part of the 1993 Tax Act, nonprofits must now provide donors with an estimate of the fair market value of tickets to fundraising events and other quid pro quo contributions. Featured Training: Sensitivity Training One of the many trainings offered by The Resource Center for Disability Advocates is sensitivity training. The Resource Center conducted sensitivity training for United Cerebral Palsy of Central PA. According to Pam Zeider of United Cerebral Palsy of Central PA, the sensitivity training was "extremely impressive and informative" and fostered a "heightened awareness" of how to approach people with disabilities. She also noted that the hands-on experience cultivated a deeper understanding of the challenges that people with disabilities face on a daily basis. Our sensitivity training includes: Effective communication with and about people with disabilities in a non-offensive manner Learning about the Independent Living Philosophy Discussing why society focuses on the DISability: dispelling myths and misconceptions Examining disability issues and daily life Exploring the value of respecting cross-cultural differences To schedule sensitivity training, or other training for your organization, please contact The Resource Center for Disability Advocates at 800-323-6060. You were selected to receive this e-newsletter because we believe you have an interest in this type of information. If you do not wish to receive future issues, please reply to the email asking to have your name removed from our distribution list. If you need additional information on any of these topics, please contact: The Resource Center for Disability Advocates Provided by Independent Living Consultant Services 207 House Avenue, Suite 107, Camp Hill, PA 17011-2308 Local (717) 731-1900 (717) 737-1335 (TTY) Toll Free (800) 323-6060 (800) 829-7404 (TTY) This program is funded in part through the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council.