Yay! We're a 501(c)(3)
Oct. 27th, 2004 10:51 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
heidiIn September, 2004, FicitionAlley learned that our application for 501(c)(3) status has been approved by the IRS in the US. This means that we have been given tax-exempt status as a charitable organizations.. As a 501(c)(3) company, FictionAlley exists for the public good rather than for the financial benefit of an individual owner or multiple shareholders. The law does not prohibit a not-for-profit from accepting money; however, all funds must be used to promote our tax-exempt purpose of education.. The primary requirement for receiving 501(c)3 status is that an organization be both organized and operated towards the pursuit of certain educational or charitable objectives that benefit the public as spelled out in section 501(c)3.
In other words, all this means that contributions to FictionAlley, as a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code, are eligible for deduction when computing your income taxes in the United States; please check with your tax planner, attorney or accountant if you have any questions or for specific information, or if you are from a country other than the United States.
As a nonprofit, FictionAlley obtains most of our funding for our server bandwith, domain names, software license fees and other expenses are obtained in various ways:
1. Donations from our generous users;
2. Purchases made when anyone makes a purchase using our links to the WB Shop, Amazon and the other businesses that we're an associate for; and
3. Purchases from our Cafe Press store.
(Note: We'd love someone to help us with grant-investigation and grant-application-writing. If you're interested, email us at help@fictionalley.org !)
We don't have pop-up ads or intrusive commercials, and we don't require any contribution or subscription from fanfic authors and artists, fic readers, or those who just want to discuss writing and the Harry Potter books.
And we're not planning to, either.
However, this means that every so often, we need to do these (possibly annoying) pledge drives. Those of you who live in the US are probably familiar with the fundraisers they do on PBS every so often; think of us as something similar, although hopefully less annoying.
For the past year, we've been saving for a server - our goal was $3,500 - but as of July, 2004, Dragon.com has been hosting FictionAlley, and all FA is going to have to pay are monthly bandwith fees; thanks Dragon.com!
However, we still have those bandwith fees, license fees and other expenses; it costs about four thousand dollars a year to keep FictionAlley online.
It's easy for you to help! Even a five dollar donation makes a difference - you can do it via PayPal, or by sending a check or money order made out to FAWC (or just send cash, although we don't recommend it) to us at FAWC at P.O. Box 36082, Denver, CO 80236-0082. We can accept donations in pounds, euros, Mexican Pesos and US, Canadian or Australian dollars. If you'd love to donate in other currency, please email us at help@fictionalley.org and we can see if it's possible. We're also sometimes able to accept donations of Potter-obelia from other countries, especially Japan, in lieu of money. Again, email us and let us know.
To donate via PayPal, click here.
Donations of $5.00 or more will entitle you to bookmark pages, notepads and eligibility (if you meet the other criteria) for FA's Advisory Committees (url=http://www.fictionalley.org/members.html). If you donate ten dollars or more, you'll get a special magnet from FictionAlley.
And if you're planning on shopping through Amazon, Hot Topic or the WB Shop anyway, please use our links (http://www.fictionalley.org/fictionalleypark/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=8701) to place your order. A portion of every dollar you spend at those stores is donated by the store to FictionAlley, and helps cover our expenses each month.
Again, we appreciate whatever you can do. You're not required to donate anything or shop anywhere - but we appreciate whatever you can do!
Thanks!
Team FictionAlley
In other words, all this means that contributions to FictionAlley, as a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code, are eligible for deduction when computing your income taxes in the United States; please check with your tax planner, attorney or accountant if you have any questions or for specific information, or if you are from a country other than the United States.
As a nonprofit, FictionAlley obtains most of our funding for our server bandwith, domain names, software license fees and other expenses are obtained in various ways:
1. Donations from our generous users;
2. Purchases made when anyone makes a purchase using our links to the WB Shop, Amazon and the other businesses that we're an associate for; and
3. Purchases from our Cafe Press store.
(Note: We'd love someone to help us with grant-investigation and grant-application-writing. If you're interested, email us at help@fictionalley.org !)
We don't have pop-up ads or intrusive commercials, and we don't require any contribution or subscription from fanfic authors and artists, fic readers, or those who just want to discuss writing and the Harry Potter books.
And we're not planning to, either.
However, this means that every so often, we need to do these (possibly annoying) pledge drives. Those of you who live in the US are probably familiar with the fundraisers they do on PBS every so often; think of us as something similar, although hopefully less annoying.
For the past year, we've been saving for a server - our goal was $3,500 - but as of July, 2004, Dragon.com has been hosting FictionAlley, and all FA is going to have to pay are monthly bandwith fees; thanks Dragon.com!
However, we still have those bandwith fees, license fees and other expenses; it costs about four thousand dollars a year to keep FictionAlley online.
It's easy for you to help! Even a five dollar donation makes a difference - you can do it via PayPal, or by sending a check or money order made out to FAWC (or just send cash, although we don't recommend it) to us at FAWC at P.O. Box 36082, Denver, CO 80236-0082. We can accept donations in pounds, euros, Mexican Pesos and US, Canadian or Australian dollars. If you'd love to donate in other currency, please email us at help@fictionalley.org and we can see if it's possible. We're also sometimes able to accept donations of Potter-obelia from other countries, especially Japan, in lieu of money. Again, email us and let us know.
To donate via PayPal, click here.
Donations of $5.00 or more will entitle you to bookmark pages, notepads and eligibility (if you meet the other criteria) for FA's Advisory Committees (url=http://www.fictionalley.org/members.html). If you donate ten dollars or more, you'll get a special magnet from FictionAlley.
And if you're planning on shopping through Amazon, Hot Topic or the WB Shop anyway, please use our links (http://www.fictionalley.org/fictionalleypark/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=8701) to place your order. A portion of every dollar you spend at those stores is donated by the store to FictionAlley, and helps cover our expenses each month.
Again, we appreciate whatever you can do. You're not required to donate anything or shop anywhere - but we appreciate whatever you can do!
Thanks!
Team FictionAlley
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2004-10-27 07:59 am (UTC)Have you guys considered having optional paid accounts for users? I know that's what it sort of sounds like with the bookmarking, notepads, etc but it might help for it to be cross-marketed as an advanced user account or something.
Nothing to do with the FA non-profit status
Date: 2004-10-27 08:13 am (UTC)http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/newsnight/3956129.stm
that I got from a friend's LJ. It's a potentially illegal practice of challenging and intimidating voters in your state.
(no subject)
Date: 2004-10-27 08:26 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2004-10-27 08:51 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2004-10-27 08:52 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2004-10-27 08:52 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2004-10-27 08:53 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2004-10-27 09:04 am (UTC)I want a
n iPodserver. Cassie, is that you?(no subject)
Date: 2004-10-27 09:18 am (UTC)Good luck. :) (Would support, but, you know, that whole 'my electricity is about to be shut off and i just got the cable reconnected' thing. Someday I'll be
richself-supporting, and then I'll buy stuff for fun.)(no subject)
Date: 2004-10-27 01:29 pm (UTC)...Runs off to donate to FA. It is my new interent home of late!!!!
PS-
You guys do an awesome job of running that site and should be commended for all of your hard work!!
(no subject)
Date: 2004-10-27 03:13 pm (UTC)The primary requirement for receiving 501(c)3 status is that an organization be both organized and operated towards the pursuit of certain educational or charitable objectives that benefit the public as spelled out in section 501(c)3.
What are FA's charitable objectives? I mean, besides "education" in a vague sense. I'm just curious.
(no subject)
Date: 2004-10-27 04:21 pm (UTC)I just wanted to tell you that Amazon has a great deal on preorders of the PoA movie (40% off!). I thought you might add it to your post, if people are thinking of buying it through FA.
I know I'll be buying through y'all. It's even better than my employee discount at BN! :)
(no subject)
Date: 2004-10-28 05:33 am (UTC)Sorry if I'm being thick but I'd really like to donate.
(no subject)
Date: 2004-10-28 10:36 am (UTC)Unfortunately, it doesn't, as you've noticed. If your e-mail for your PayPal account and your FA account are the same, I can link them. If they aren't, you'll get an e-mail after your donation saying, "Hey, don't know who you are on FA! Please tell me!"
So, yeah, we'll sort it out eventually. Don't worry. Thanks muchly for trying, though.
Amy
(no subject)
Date: 2004-10-28 10:44 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2004-10-28 10:46 am (UTC)In order to receive 501(c)(3) status in the United States, an organization must have a "charitable" purpose. "Charitable" generally means (i) relief of the poor and distressed or of the underprivileged; (ii) advancement of religion; (iii) advancement of education or science; (iv) erection or maintenance of public buildings, monuments, or works; (v) lessening of the burdens of government; and (vi) promotion of social welfare.
FA's charitable purpose is education. FA -- and I'm sure you know this, but what the hell -- hosts amateur fiction and links to amateur art, provides the comments forum for people to provide feedback on writing and art, provides the Seekers forum for people to find an editor, provides FAP for debate and discussion purposes, provides writing guidance through Lumos Dissendium, etc. FA helps (mostly) amateur writers and artists hone their craft. They have a place to discuss their craft and receive critiques on their work that would not otherwise be available, as well as a resource and a discussion forum.
*grin* I could go on. (And I did! You should see how thoroughly we explained what FA does to the IRS.) But I think that might answer your question.
Amy
FA's legal counsel
(no subject)
Date: 2004-10-28 10:48 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2004-10-30 04:40 am (UTC)