DBAs and LLCs and 501(c)3, oh my! (was Re: [Noisebridge-discuss] Meeting notes posted for Thu 7th)

[Rachel McConnell]

Does anyone know someone involved with managing any similar organization 
here whose brain we could pick?

I used to know people running the San Francisco Pool Association, which 
has nothing to do with hacking but is a member-based organization not 
trying to turn a profit.  I checked their website last night and 
unfortunately all the current officers are people I don't know, but I'm 
going to shoot them an email anyway to see if they'll talk a little bit 
about how they're organized, what they like & don't like about it, and 
how much it costs.

I think we have, or can get, some of this info from other hackspaces 
elsewhere, but I think it would be useful to talk to other CA 
organizations specifically.

Rachel

Andy Isaacson wrote:
> On Fri, Feb 08, 2008 at 09:22:24AM -0800, Matt Peterson wrote:
>> An LLC appears to be the logical least-path-of-resistance at this  
>> point, mostly because non-profit money tracking needs to be very  
>> extensive and an unknown "thumbs up" commitment from various  
>> government levels for approval.  A concern also exists on setting up a  
>> non-profit correctly to factor in board member insurance.  This is not  
>> to say a 501c3 isn't the best option, again just not the easiest for  
>> the initial setup months.
> 
> I'd just like to expand on my thinking here, since I seem to have the
> most knowledge given my shiny new Nolo press books.  (Kinda scary, eh?)
> 
> First off, if you have *ANY* willingness to help make this happen on the
> legal front, please come do legal homework with me Saturday around 4 PM
> in the mission!  I don't want to be the sole resource here.  Exact
> location to be announced, email for details.
> 
> Starting out with a DBA gets us a bank account and the beginnings of an
> official group identity.  (Given that we don't want to make interest on
> our bank account for tax reasons, and so we'll have several thousand
> dollars sitting there doing nothing, banks should be falling over each
> other to hold our money for us.)  The costs are pretty minimal:  under
> $100 in fees plus a bunch of annoying time spent waiting in line at City
> Hall.  Given that we have monies we would like to start collecting --
> more specifically, I have money I want to donate towards the cause
> starting immediately -- there really isn't any reason not to do this
> now.
> 
> 
> There appear to be two routes to take from there:
> 1. incorporate as a California LLC, a for-profit entity.
> 2. incorporate as a California non-profit corporation.
>   2a. Shoot for 501(c)3 status.
>   2b. operate as a "fraternal organization" akin to the Shriners.
>       (this is managed under other sections of 501(c).)
> 
> I've considered and dismissed the following possibilities:
>  - a different for-profit organization (C corp, S corp, partnership)
>    (the llc is specifically tailored to the for-profit version of what
>    we're trying to do here; if we can't go nonprofit, LLC is the really
>    obvious choice.)
>  - incorporating in a different state
>    (several people have recommended against this.  There are papers and
>    fees associated with being an out-of-state corp operating in
>    california, plus two sets of rules to deal with.)
> 
> It is possible (though it may be somewhat expensive, say maybe $4k in
> legal costs) to start out as an LLC and transition to a non-profit.
> 
> Both LLC and nonprofit have expenses associated with them; it looks like
> paperwork and fees are going to cost us a minimum of $1k per year.
> 
> -andy
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