Partner Service & Sales Training
I.     What is a 501 (c)(3)?
II.    Eligible Organizations
III.   Eligible Activities
IV.    CharityNet USA Services & Processes
501(c)(3) Organizations:
• Do not pay federal corporate income tax. With this
  exemption, an organization can save 15-35% of its
  taxable income.
• In most cases do not pay state corporate,
  franchise, excise, sales, and use taxes.
• Can offer individual and corporate donors a tax
  deduction for their contribution. This is an incentive
  for taxpayers who itemize their deductions.
• Are eligible to receive foundation grants.
• Are eligible for lower postal rates with the U.S.
  Postal Service.
• Are viewed as a whole as reputable organizations.
“Nonprofit” does NOT mean tax exempt
• Many types of nonprofit organizations may
  qualify for exemption from federal income taxes,
  however that exemption is not automatic.
• Applications must be filed with the Internal
  Revenue Service requesting the privilege of tax
  exemption for the organization.
• In many states, separate application processes
  exist for exemption from state-level taxation.
• There are many other sections of 501(c) that
  provide federal tax exemption for other types of
  organizations.
• Many of these sections provide different
  benefits.
• Some sections provide tax exemption but not
  donor deductibility.
I. What is a 501 (c)(3)?
II. Eligible Organizations
III. Eligible Activities
IV. CharityNet USA Services & Processes
• To receive a
  determination as a
  501(c)(3) organization,
  a nonprofit must prove,
  through a detailed
  application process,
  that they are both
  organized and
  operated exclusively
  for allowable purposes.
• To qualify, an organization’s governing
  document (most commonly the Articles of
  Incorporation) must meet the organizational
  test. They must:
  – Limit the purposes of such organization to one or more
    exempt purposes;
  – NOT expressly empower the organization to engage in
    activities which in themselves are not in furtherance of
    one or more exempt purposes;
  – Dedicate all assets to an exempt purpose.
• To satisfy the operational test, an
  organization must be operated exclusively
  for one or more of the following purposes:
  –   Religious
  –   Charitable
  –   Scientific
  –   Testing for public safety
  –   Literary
  –   Educational
  –   Fostering amateur sports
  –   Prevention of cruelty to children or animals
•   Homeless Shelters       •   Clothing Ministries
•   Soup Kitchens           •   Prison Ministries
•   Churches                •   Foreign Assistance
•   Outreach Ministries     •   Art Schools/Centers
•   Private Schools
                            •   Youth Organizations
•   Daycares
                            •   Little Leagues
•   Museums
                            •   Low Income Housing
•   Community Development
    Organizations           •   Senior Housing
                            •   Orphanages
What is a 501 (c)(3)?
II. Eligible Organizations
III. Eligible Activities
IV. CharityNet USA Services & Process
• IRS definition of “religious”:
  – "A sincere and meaningful belief which
    occupies in the life of its possessor a place
    parallel to that filled by the God of those
    admittedly qualifying for the exemption
    comes within the statutory definition."
• To meet the IRS definition of a “church”, a
  14 point test is used, which includes
  establishing that the organization has:
  – Religious doctrine or belief of any kind
  – Established location of worship
  – Established congregation, which is not just a family
    (There is no set number of members, but think 25
    minimum)
  – Regularly scheduled worship services
  – Ordained religious leader
• While true churches are automatically
  deemed exempt from federal income taxes,
  there are many reasons why churches still
  seek recognition, including:
  – Ability to seek grant funding
  – Ease of documenting large contributions from major
    donors
  – Reduced rental rates for facilities, in many cases
  – Reduced postage rates
  – Also, separation of outreach programs into a distinct
    501(c)(3) provides additional funding options
• IRS definition of “Charitable”:
  – Relief of the poor and distressed or of the
    underprivileged
  – Advancement of religion
  – Advancement of education or science
  – Erection or maintenance of public buildings,
    monuments, or works
  – Lessening of the burdens of government
  – Promotion of social welfare
• Sports activity is not in and of itself an
  exempt activity under IRC 501(c)(3)!
  – An organization may be educational within the
    meaning of IRC 501(c)(3) if it teaches sports to
    youth or by being affiliated with an exempt
    educational organization.
• Sports for youths may be charitable because they
  combat juvenile delinquency or lessen the burdens of
  government.

• An organization may qualify if they foster national or
  international amateur sports competition and no part
  of its activities involve the provision of athletic facilities
  or equipment.
• 501(c)(3) organizations are subject to
  limitations on some specific activities,
  including:
  –   Private benefit/ inurement
  –   Lobbying
  –   Political Campaign Activity
  –   Unrelated Business
• The prohibition of excess benefit to insiders is
  absolute. Individuals or corporations involved
  cannot be in a better position because of the
  existence of the nonprofit.
• In contrast, if the activities of an organization
  privately benefit someone who is not an insider,
  that benefit must be substantial in order to
  jeopardize the organization’s tax-exempt status.
• Lobbying is activity designed to influence
  legislation.

• Lobbying cannot be a substantial part of the
  activities of a 501(c)(3) organization
• 501(c)(3)s are prohibited from directly or indirectly
  participating or intervening in any political
  campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any
  candidate for public office.
• This includes making contributions to political
  campaign funds or making public statements for or
  against the candidate.
• Form 990 (Annual Tax return for Exempt
  Organizations)
• State Corporate/Franchise Tax Returns
• Annual Reports
• Charity Registration
• Other state-specific filings
What is a 501 (c)(3)?
II. Eligible Organizations
III. Eligible Activities
IV. CharityNet USA Services & Process
BizCentral USA provides comprehensive 501
    services, offering all items necessary to remain in
    compliance with state and federal regulations,
    including:
•    IRS Form 1023
•    Financial Projections
•    Articles of Incorporation
•    Bylaws
•    Conflict of Interest Policies
•    State Income Tax Exemption Applications
•    State Sales Tax Exemption Applications
•    Charitable Organization Registrations
• Prices charged for completion of the paperwork
  necessary to apply for 501(c)(3) recognition will
  vary, depending on how far the client is in the
  process and how many supplemental
  documents they’ve already prepared.
• In addition, pricing may be affected by the
  number of state level filings required in the
  client’s state.
• Price quotes include only document preparation
  fees, and all government filing fees will be the
  responsibility of the client.
• Once a sale has been made on one of our
  501 services, clients are given access to our
  501 Services “Steps Page”
• Here, they will find a variety of information,
  tips, samples, and questionnaires.
• Step 1: Clients will complete the appropriate
  questionnaire, and submit any other required
  documents.
• Step 2: An interview will be set up once the
  questionnaire is completed.
• Step 3: Once all information is gathered, their
  service will be completed usually within 10-15
  business days.
• Step 4: Depending on the service purchased,
  some documents may be sent to the client
  via email for filing.
• Step 5: Finally, the completed product is sent
  to the client once final payment is made.
• 501(c)(3) recognition provides certain qualifying
  nonprofits with many advantages.
• Benefits include exemption from federal income
  taxes, as well as the ability to offer donors a tax
  deduction for their contribution
• Many states will require additional filings in order to
  stay in full compliance
• Professional assistance is necessary for
  organizations who are not familiar with all state and
  federal procedures

Partner Training: 501(c)(3)

  • 1.
    Partner Service &Sales Training
  • 2.
    I. What is a 501 (c)(3)? II. Eligible Organizations III. Eligible Activities IV. CharityNet USA Services & Processes
  • 3.
    501(c)(3) Organizations: • Donot pay federal corporate income tax. With this exemption, an organization can save 15-35% of its taxable income. • In most cases do not pay state corporate, franchise, excise, sales, and use taxes. • Can offer individual and corporate donors a tax deduction for their contribution. This is an incentive for taxpayers who itemize their deductions. • Are eligible to receive foundation grants. • Are eligible for lower postal rates with the U.S. Postal Service. • Are viewed as a whole as reputable organizations.
  • 4.
    “Nonprofit” does NOTmean tax exempt • Many types of nonprofit organizations may qualify for exemption from federal income taxes, however that exemption is not automatic. • Applications must be filed with the Internal Revenue Service requesting the privilege of tax exemption for the organization. • In many states, separate application processes exist for exemption from state-level taxation.
  • 5.
    • There aremany other sections of 501(c) that provide federal tax exemption for other types of organizations. • Many of these sections provide different benefits. • Some sections provide tax exemption but not donor deductibility.
  • 6.
    I. What isa 501 (c)(3)? II. Eligible Organizations III. Eligible Activities IV. CharityNet USA Services & Processes
  • 7.
    • To receivea determination as a 501(c)(3) organization, a nonprofit must prove, through a detailed application process, that they are both organized and operated exclusively for allowable purposes.
  • 8.
    • To qualify,an organization’s governing document (most commonly the Articles of Incorporation) must meet the organizational test. They must: – Limit the purposes of such organization to one or more exempt purposes; – NOT expressly empower the organization to engage in activities which in themselves are not in furtherance of one or more exempt purposes; – Dedicate all assets to an exempt purpose.
  • 9.
    • To satisfythe operational test, an organization must be operated exclusively for one or more of the following purposes: – Religious – Charitable – Scientific – Testing for public safety – Literary – Educational – Fostering amateur sports – Prevention of cruelty to children or animals
  • 10.
    Homeless Shelters • Clothing Ministries • Soup Kitchens • Prison Ministries • Churches • Foreign Assistance • Outreach Ministries • Art Schools/Centers • Private Schools • Youth Organizations • Daycares • Little Leagues • Museums • Low Income Housing • Community Development Organizations • Senior Housing • Orphanages
  • 11.
    What is a501 (c)(3)? II. Eligible Organizations III. Eligible Activities IV. CharityNet USA Services & Process
  • 12.
    • IRS definitionof “religious”: – "A sincere and meaningful belief which occupies in the life of its possessor a place parallel to that filled by the God of those admittedly qualifying for the exemption comes within the statutory definition."
  • 13.
    • To meetthe IRS definition of a “church”, a 14 point test is used, which includes establishing that the organization has: – Religious doctrine or belief of any kind – Established location of worship – Established congregation, which is not just a family (There is no set number of members, but think 25 minimum) – Regularly scheduled worship services – Ordained religious leader
  • 14.
    • While truechurches are automatically deemed exempt from federal income taxes, there are many reasons why churches still seek recognition, including: – Ability to seek grant funding – Ease of documenting large contributions from major donors – Reduced rental rates for facilities, in many cases – Reduced postage rates – Also, separation of outreach programs into a distinct 501(c)(3) provides additional funding options
  • 15.
    • IRS definitionof “Charitable”: – Relief of the poor and distressed or of the underprivileged – Advancement of religion – Advancement of education or science – Erection or maintenance of public buildings, monuments, or works – Lessening of the burdens of government – Promotion of social welfare
  • 16.
    • Sports activityis not in and of itself an exempt activity under IRC 501(c)(3)! – An organization may be educational within the meaning of IRC 501(c)(3) if it teaches sports to youth or by being affiliated with an exempt educational organization.
  • 17.
    • Sports foryouths may be charitable because they combat juvenile delinquency or lessen the burdens of government. • An organization may qualify if they foster national or international amateur sports competition and no part of its activities involve the provision of athletic facilities or equipment.
  • 18.
    • 501(c)(3) organizationsare subject to limitations on some specific activities, including: – Private benefit/ inurement – Lobbying – Political Campaign Activity – Unrelated Business
  • 19.
    • The prohibitionof excess benefit to insiders is absolute. Individuals or corporations involved cannot be in a better position because of the existence of the nonprofit. • In contrast, if the activities of an organization privately benefit someone who is not an insider, that benefit must be substantial in order to jeopardize the organization’s tax-exempt status.
  • 20.
    • Lobbying isactivity designed to influence legislation. • Lobbying cannot be a substantial part of the activities of a 501(c)(3) organization
  • 21.
    • 501(c)(3)s areprohibited from directly or indirectly participating or intervening in any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office. • This includes making contributions to political campaign funds or making public statements for or against the candidate.
  • 22.
    • Form 990(Annual Tax return for Exempt Organizations) • State Corporate/Franchise Tax Returns • Annual Reports • Charity Registration • Other state-specific filings
  • 23.
    What is a501 (c)(3)? II. Eligible Organizations III. Eligible Activities IV. CharityNet USA Services & Process
  • 24.
    BizCentral USA providescomprehensive 501 services, offering all items necessary to remain in compliance with state and federal regulations, including: • IRS Form 1023 • Financial Projections • Articles of Incorporation • Bylaws • Conflict of Interest Policies • State Income Tax Exemption Applications • State Sales Tax Exemption Applications • Charitable Organization Registrations
  • 25.
    • Prices chargedfor completion of the paperwork necessary to apply for 501(c)(3) recognition will vary, depending on how far the client is in the process and how many supplemental documents they’ve already prepared. • In addition, pricing may be affected by the number of state level filings required in the client’s state. • Price quotes include only document preparation fees, and all government filing fees will be the responsibility of the client.
  • 26.
    • Once asale has been made on one of our 501 services, clients are given access to our 501 Services “Steps Page” • Here, they will find a variety of information, tips, samples, and questionnaires. • Step 1: Clients will complete the appropriate questionnaire, and submit any other required documents. • Step 2: An interview will be set up once the questionnaire is completed.
  • 27.
    • Step 3:Once all information is gathered, their service will be completed usually within 10-15 business days. • Step 4: Depending on the service purchased, some documents may be sent to the client via email for filing. • Step 5: Finally, the completed product is sent to the client once final payment is made.
  • 28.
    • 501(c)(3) recognitionprovides certain qualifying nonprofits with many advantages. • Benefits include exemption from federal income taxes, as well as the ability to offer donors a tax deduction for their contribution • Many states will require additional filings in order to stay in full compliance • Professional assistance is necessary for organizations who are not familiar with all state and federal procedures