Starting a Non-Profit

Green Bay WI

Description

I officially retired years ago due to some health issues, but that did not mean I still did not have a desire to tinker and feel useful. That's how this "Man Cave" came into existence. Other retired friends and I found this place that we could afford and it became our home away from home...a place where we could work on projects like cars, trucks, motorcycles, you name it. And it blossomed into a place that kept us active and not sitting at home watching the world go by. And it became a place where family, friends as well as many within the community could come have work done on their vehicles next to free if not completely free...after all we were not a business that sought to make money. Now...as I find myself being the last individual here at the "Man Cave" I had the choice of being like the other fellas and sitting at home watching the grass grow or the paint dry. That certainly didn't seem like a ton of fun to me so what do I do? I go ahead and take out another 2 year lease on the shop with a goal in mind. My goal during these trying times was to start a 501c3 non-profit to try and help out limited income folks out a bit. Now I admit that it may not have been one of my more better thought out ideas, but it is what it is and I plan to roll with come hell or high water. I've discovered that getting the 501c3 paperwork properly done through an attorney is not cheap, but I have decided that this is what I want...so to get the paperwork done while keeping the rent and utilities on over the next several months I am selling one of my personal motorcycles. While the 501c3 is being established it would be harder to seek grants or loans, so to try and ensure the project can continue on I have to seek a bit more temporary financial help here. It should be understood that all positions other than those considered employees (mechanics) are non-paid positions. I myself with the health issues can no longer do that work, so an individual would have to be hired as needed. Non-Pay positions would be the Board of Directors, Director (me), Secretary, Treasurer, and volunteers of course. So...your donations would be going right now to help maintain rents, utilities, and other expenses until we get into full 501c3 operation and have the ability to properly fund raise and offer contributors the 501c3 ta-deductible incentives. Our goal is to help the lower income and limited income communities with their vehicles problems free of charge as we know a lot of decent folks just need a bit of help in moving their lives forward. Whether it be getting to or seeking employment, the kids and family appointments, or the elderly simply trying to maintain that last bastion of independence as time goes by. Somewhere down the line I'd love to see expansion with being able to help with yard work, snow removal, or even light home maintenance. Believe me when I say I totally understand how it is now when you get older and life gets a bit tougher each year on the body and the pocketbook. I may not be one to be able to do all the heavy work anymore...but organizational skills to help keep the show running has always been one of my stronger traits. I certainly hope all of this makes sense and that you'll find a few extra dollars to help get this project off the ground...and get starting helping those in need. You can go to the site below to donate and help us get the ball rolling better... http://spot.fund/gHNlJ2