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I have been rescuing cats for 4 years, and sucessfully adopted out to well secured home about 60 or more. I would like to become non profit. As all of my cats are well cared for and very loved till they reach new homes. I do not make any money off the adoption donations they go towards veterinary care, or items for the cats to keep them happy. Any websites, help or know anyone that can help me figure this out i'd be very appreciated. email me at chrissyskittyresq@yahoo.com Very Happy

Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2007 10:59 pm Post subject:

for openers, it is 501(c)3 status. Here are several links with all the information you could possibly need. You should first check with your local zoning office to see if that is permitted where you live. Is there an pet limit where you live?

http://www.wonderpuppy.net/rescue.htm#start

http://www.petrescue.com/library/start-rescue.htm

http://www.managementhelp.org/strt_org/strt_np/strt_np.htm

http://grants.library.wisc.edu/organizations/animals.html

[quote="chrissyskittyresq"] I do not make any money off the adoption donations they go towards veterinary care, or items for the cats to keep them happy. Very Happy

[/quote

I just want to make sure you realize that you still won't make money with the 501 c 3. A lot of people think once they become non profit, that somehow money/donations will be easier to get and that really isn't true. If you don't have lots of people willing to do a lot of hardwork to help you fundraise, becoming a 501 really won't benifit you. And, it usually costs 600.00 plus to get all the 501 paper work in order, not to mention the hassle of all the hoops you have to jump through every year to keep it. Do website searches for info such as 'how to become nonprofit'
Good luck.

Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 9:13 pm Post subject:

catpaws, I would have to disagree with most of what you said.

When you are a 501(c)3 there are many avenues open to you for grants which are not available to orgs that are not NP. Now I will agree that just because you are NP does not mean you will qualify or get any money, but at least you are eligible. there are also a lot of outright donations from some large corps, such as WM, Lowes, Home Depot etc that have offers both from corp headquarters & locally.

I also know of no hoops to jump through every year to keep it. I had mine for 5 yrs before I retired & never had to do anything.

Posted: Sat Feb 03, 2007 10:16 am Post subject:

Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2007 1:56 am Post subject:

I will tell you that grant writing is an art & to be successful the writer must be very good at it.

You have to have a minimum of ONE meeting per year. There are NO restrictions on how many fundraisers you can have per year. There is NO paper work every year to be done. I have no idea what they were telling you but none of that is true. I was a very small shelter in the scheme of things. Took in less than less than 3,000 animals a year.

I am not aware of any grants pertaining to fosters but you are correct in that many grants are for building improvement. I will also say that the more things you apply for as a NP - the more things do come your way tho. I rec'd a lot of offers to participate in various fundraising projects. We were the recipient of a lot of money from local groups but even better was the name recognition it generated.

Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2007 2:28 pm Post subject:

FYI: Check with your local pet supply stores.

My group, we are looking into 503c status also, gets a grant from PetCo twice a year. They are absolutely great letting up have fund raisers, etc.

Check it out.

Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2007 11:35 pm Post subject:

uummm I doubt you are getting any grants from PetCo if you are not yet 501(c)3.

Once you get your NP status, it is a good idea to try to get someone from another NP to write grants for you. The larger one usually have a full time grant writer who just may volunteer for a smaller org.

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