not-for-profit technology & education: Technocation
4 views
Skip to first unread message
sheeri kritzer
Sep 1, 2006, 4:13:50 AM9/1/06
to plane...@googlegroups.com
Hi all,
I know you haven't heard from me much, although I've been blogging a bit more. Since OSCON at the end of July, life has been pretty busy. I was asked to be the technical editor for SQL Hacks, and they only gave me 2 weeks until their deadline (I took 3 to do it!). The hacks are sound, although not as clever as they could be; the writing was awful and I reworked many examples. In the end, it was a good experience for me, particularly giving me confidence to write a book myself.
Meanwhile, I had another consulting gig, reviewing a schema. I got to thinking about consulting fees and taxes -- I'm not consulting to make a living, I have a full-time job to do that. But I certainly could use the money to send myself to places like MySQL Camp, which ultimately is just me learning more.
So after talking to a few people -- businesspeople, lawyers and accountants -- I have started to set up a not-for-profit, incorporated in the US. The not-for-profit will grant resources to folks who want to learn more about technology (it's vague right now, I did not specifically want to limit it to MySQL or open source technology, although that's certainly an option). It will also provide fee-based consulting services to companies and individuals. In its simplest form, it is a way for me to make a non-trivial amount of money and put it right back into learning, without having to pay US income tax.
In a more complex form, it can be a guild-type organization, or a member organization with dues and private content, or something that anyone can join. It can grant or loan money to folks who need help getting to conferences -- we all know plenty of people who have written books who could use that kind of help. As a not-for-profit, it will be easier to solicit charitable donations. It might also set up a 'pre-payment plan' for a conference, to help ease the load in advance of a conference (kind of like putting the conference on layaway).
Besides granting and loaning money, the not-for-profit could arrange group discounts to conferences, hotel rooms, perhaps even make reservations for folks. It could link folks with roommates for hotels in a more confidential manner than a wiki. In short, there are plenty of ways the not-for-profit can generate income, and plenty of ways it can spend the income, legally and efficiently (without tax).
Basically, I have:
Registered technocation.org
Started setting up accounting books
Bought a post office box to receive mail at
Applied for and received a US Tax ID number (FEIN/EIN/TIN)
Applied for a reservation of name with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (in advance of the incorporation)
Tomorrow I will attempt to open a bank account for the company.
In order to be a full-fledged 501(c)3 not-for-profit, I still have to:
Have the US Government accept the application for the tax ID number (10 business days)
Create Articles of Incorporation
Create Bylaws
Incorporate in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts -- really, just sending the Articles of Incorporation.
Have the Commonwealth accept the incorporation
Fill out the 30-page form with the $300-750 application fee to apply for tax exemption (I have 15 months, until November 2007 to do this)
Have the US Government accept the application for tax exemption
-------------------------------
So as you can see, I need help! Particularly since one of the requirements is that a not-for-profit board must have at least 3 board members. It's possible I could do all the paperwork myself, but I certainly cannot be three people!
I'm looking for folks to help flesh out ideas for this organization. I have some ideas, but of course more heads are always welcome. I would like the organization to be international in scope, although most folks internationally will not benefit from the 501(c)3 not-for-profit status that the organization will eventually have (I think Aussies can actually benefit...).
So specifically, I'm looking for folks who will have a strong organizational base, who can help create the bylaws and articles of incorporation, and perhaps a few policy documents (we'll want to have a very explicit conflict of interest policy, for example). I'm not necessarily looking for financial help, although of course donations are welcome (and your contribution is tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law, even now -- so long as the organization makes less than $5,000 in a year, we don't even need tax exempt status to reap the benefits). If you're doing consulting work and would like to invoice it through Technocation (ie, you volunteer your services through Technocation, and Technocation gets paid the fee, and then the board will very likely vote to give you a travel/hotel/meal/registration grant for a conference -- I've already invoiced some folks in this manner), let me know.
If you are interested in helping out in any way, or know anyone who is, please let me know. It's OK to forward this to individuals, but please do not forward it to any other lists or talk about it anywhere, including blogs. I will make an announcement when the reservation of name and tax ID number have been confirmed.
Phew! Life has been pretty hectic lately -- we're also rewriting our website at work, from the ground up.....I was at work until 2 am, and it's 4 am now.
-Sheeri
I know you haven't heard from me much, although I've been blogging a bit more. Since OSCON at the end of July, life has been pretty busy. I was asked to be the technical editor for SQL Hacks, and they only gave me 2 weeks until their deadline (I took 3 to do it!). The hacks are sound, although not as clever as they could be; the writing was awful and I reworked many examples. In the end, it was a good experience for me, particularly giving me confidence to write a book myself.
Meanwhile, I had another consulting gig, reviewing a schema. I got to thinking about consulting fees and taxes -- I'm not consulting to make a living, I have a full-time job to do that. But I certainly could use the money to send myself to places like MySQL Camp, which ultimately is just me learning more.
So after talking to a few people -- businesspeople, lawyers and accountants -- I have started to set up a not-for-profit, incorporated in the US. The not-for-profit will grant resources to folks who want to learn more about technology (it's vague right now, I did not specifically want to limit it to MySQL or open source technology, although that's certainly an option). It will also provide fee-based consulting services to companies and individuals. In its simplest form, it is a way for me to make a non-trivial amount of money and put it right back into learning, without having to pay US income tax.
In a more complex form, it can be a guild-type organization, or a member organization with dues and private content, or something that anyone can join. It can grant or loan money to folks who need help getting to conferences -- we all know plenty of people who have written books who could use that kind of help. As a not-for-profit, it will be easier to solicit charitable donations. It might also set up a 'pre-payment plan' for a conference, to help ease the load in advance of a conference (kind of like putting the conference on layaway).
Besides granting and loaning money, the not-for-profit could arrange group discounts to conferences, hotel rooms, perhaps even make reservations for folks. It could link folks with roommates for hotels in a more confidential manner than a wiki. In short, there are plenty of ways the not-for-profit can generate income, and plenty of ways it can spend the income, legally and efficiently (without tax).
Basically, I have:
Registered technocation.org
Started setting up accounting books
Bought a post office box to receive mail at
Applied for and received a US Tax ID number (FEIN/EIN/TIN)
Applied for a reservation of name with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (in advance of the incorporation)
Tomorrow I will attempt to open a bank account for the company.
In order to be a full-fledged 501(c)3 not-for-profit, I still have to:
Have the US Government accept the application for the tax ID number (10 business days)
Create Articles of Incorporation
Create Bylaws
Incorporate in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts -- really, just sending the Articles of Incorporation.
Have the Commonwealth accept the incorporation
Fill out the 30-page form with the $300-750 application fee to apply for tax exemption (I have 15 months, until November 2007 to do this)
Have the US Government accept the application for tax exemption
-------------------------------
So as you can see, I need help! Particularly since one of the requirements is that a not-for-profit board must have at least 3 board members. It's possible I could do all the paperwork myself, but I certainly cannot be three people!
I'm looking for folks to help flesh out ideas for this organization. I have some ideas, but of course more heads are always welcome. I would like the organization to be international in scope, although most folks internationally will not benefit from the 501(c)3 not-for-profit status that the organization will eventually have (I think Aussies can actually benefit...).
So specifically, I'm looking for folks who will have a strong organizational base, who can help create the bylaws and articles of incorporation, and perhaps a few policy documents (we'll want to have a very explicit conflict of interest policy, for example). I'm not necessarily looking for financial help, although of course donations are welcome (and your contribution is tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law, even now -- so long as the organization makes less than $5,000 in a year, we don't even need tax exempt status to reap the benefits). If you're doing consulting work and would like to invoice it through Technocation (ie, you volunteer your services through Technocation, and Technocation gets paid the fee, and then the board will very likely vote to give you a travel/hotel/meal/registration grant for a conference -- I've already invoiced some folks in this manner), let me know.
If you are interested in helping out in any way, or know anyone who is, please let me know. It's OK to forward this to individuals, but please do not forward it to any other lists or talk about it anywhere, including blogs. I will make an announcement when the reservation of name and tax ID number have been confirmed.
Phew! Life has been pretty hectic lately -- we're also rewriting our website at work, from the ground up.....I was at work until 2 am, and it's 4 am now.
-Sheeri
Roland Bouman
Sep 1, 2006, 6:19:38 AM9/1/06
to plane...@googlegroups.com
Hi Sheeri!
It's an admirable initiative, and I wish you all the best.
I'm sorry to decline participation. It's not that I don't want to,
it's more a matter of not having any time at all to fit this in.
I wish you all the best to get it organized.
Good luck!
--
Roland Bouman
Ronald Bradford
Sep 1, 2006, 7:58:22 AM9/1/06
to plane...@googlegroups.com
Hi Sheeri,
I have for many years provided free services to Not For Profit's in Australia. I can certainly share many experiences here. One fact is these organisations tend to have no money, so they just suffer until people provide some types of services for free.
I'm not certain what your target audience is? Are you looking for organisations that generally can't afford services, or more providing free services to any, simply to help expose more people to Open Source/LAMP etc.
Are you seeking more small, short gigs, e.g. reviewing a schema like you said, or bigger projects?
I know that when offering free services I've had to set some boundaries, otherwise it can really draw you out, and in one case becomes a multi-year commitment that you can't just walk away from.
I've got a number of ideas to promote MySQL/Open Source/LAMP into the community and commercial marketplace, with the goal of getting a level of consulting from it. Happy to share my ideas, in my case, both Brisbane (being too small), and just myself being too hard to cover all I wanted to, however I suspect my intentions may be in line with yours.
Regards
Ronald
I have for many years provided free services to Not For Profit's in Australia. I can certainly share many experiences here. One fact is these organisations tend to have no money, so they just suffer until people provide some types of services for free.
I'm not certain what your target audience is? Are you looking for organisations that generally can't afford services, or more providing free services to any, simply to help expose more people to Open Source/LAMP etc.
Are you seeking more small, short gigs, e.g. reviewing a schema like you said, or bigger projects?
I know that when offering free services I've had to set some boundaries, otherwise it can really draw you out, and in one case becomes a multi-year commitment that you can't just walk away from.
I've got a number of ideas to promote MySQL/Open Source/LAMP into the community and commercial marketplace, with the goal of getting a level of consulting from it. Happy to share my ideas, in my case, both Brisbane (being too small), and just myself being too hard to cover all I wanted to, however I suspect my intentions may be in line with yours.
Regards
Ronald
On 9/1/06, sheeri kritzer <awf...@gmail.com> wrote:
Giuseppe Maxia
Sep 1, 2006, 8:04:21 AM9/1/06
to plane...@googlegroups.com
Hi Sheeri,
This is a great idea!
I don't think I will be able to cooperate much, though. As for the three persons you need for the association, can they be foreigners, or do they have to be US citizens?
I have very little knowledge of US tax land corporate aws (the ones in my country baffle me enough!) so I can't be of help in this regard either.
However, if you need any help in your consulting tasks, feel free to ask. I am answering questions in newsgroups on a daily basis, and answering some for a friend will be even more gratifying. (Provided that I know the answer!)
I wish you luck in this initiative, and count on me if you need any technical help.
Ciao
Giuseppe
--
The Data Charmer
http://datacharmer.org/
This is a great idea!
I don't think I will be able to cooperate much, though. As for the three persons you need for the association, can they be foreigners, or do they have to be US citizens?
I have very little knowledge of US tax land corporate aws (the ones in my country baffle me enough!) so I can't be of help in this regard either.
However, if you need any help in your consulting tasks, feel free to ask. I am answering questions in newsgroups on a daily basis, and answering some for a friend will be even more gratifying. (Provided that I know the answer!)
I wish you luck in this initiative, and count on me if you need any technical help.
Ciao
Giuseppe
--
The Data Charmer
http://datacharmer.org/
sheeri kritzer
Sep 1, 2006, 10:12:02 AM9/1/06
to plane...@googlegroups.com
Hi!
I'm very happy for such overwhelming response, especially such positive stuff!
My intention was to have the organizational work more focused on the granting resources to folks for education, and leave most of the fundraising to members. ie, if someone lands a consulting gig and they want to use that money to go to a conference without paying taxes, then they would go through Technocation. There's no particular requirements there.
As well, someone could go to a company and ask for a "directed donation", which would be better received because the donation is tax-deductible in the US. So I could go to Google and say, "I want to go to a conference, will you sponsor me? Did I mention it's tax deductible, and we'll publicly name you as a Technocation partner/supporter?"
I would think this would also have benefits for international folks, if they want to work for a US company (again, without the tax hassle).....if they're just going to turn around and spend that $$ on plane fare and hotel rooms coming to conferences, there's no reason to go through the tax hassle. (many folks I know deduct their expenses on their personal taxes, which is perfectly legal and can be done, but this way a person does not have to spend the money, wait, and then get the deduction).
So that's where the "consulting services" part came in, really. I'm less interested in the organization offering (and seeking) for-pay consulting, than allowing consultants to say, "I have a gig and I'd like the funds to go to Technocation. Oh, and I also have a grant proposal...."
So for me it's not particularly relevant whether the company has any money or not. Of course, if the company has lots of money, then it can grant lots of resources; maybe hire an employee to do things like make reservations, match roommates together, whatever. But for now it will exist for the people who have the money to give, and have a resource need they want to fill.
The point about a not-for-profit is, well, you cannot draw a profit. If you wanted to do consulting to earn a living, Technocation might not be the right venue. If you do a little consulting here or there to earn pocket change, and want to use it to buy a computer for the MySQL build farm, or a new laptop to develop on, or educational materials such as books, software, etc; that's more in line with the organization (and its legal requirements).
Of course, anyone who wants to donate or contract through Technocation is certainly welcome (ie, you do the work, Technocation gets the money). Just remember, whichever committee approves grants may or may not approve a grant proposal....
-Sheeri
I'm very happy for such overwhelming response, especially such positive stuff!
My intention was to have the organizational work more focused on the granting resources to folks for education, and leave most of the fundraising to members. ie, if someone lands a consulting gig and they want to use that money to go to a conference without paying taxes, then they would go through Technocation. There's no particular requirements there.
As well, someone could go to a company and ask for a "directed donation", which would be better received because the donation is tax-deductible in the US. So I could go to Google and say, "I want to go to a conference, will you sponsor me? Did I mention it's tax deductible, and we'll publicly name you as a Technocation partner/supporter?"
I would think this would also have benefits for international folks, if they want to work for a US company (again, without the tax hassle).....if they're just going to turn around and spend that $$ on plane fare and hotel rooms coming to conferences, there's no reason to go through the tax hassle. (many folks I know deduct their expenses on their personal taxes, which is perfectly legal and can be done, but this way a person does not have to spend the money, wait, and then get the deduction).
So that's where the "consulting services" part came in, really. I'm less interested in the organization offering (and seeking) for-pay consulting, than allowing consultants to say, "I have a gig and I'd like the funds to go to Technocation. Oh, and I also have a grant proposal...."
So for me it's not particularly relevant whether the company has any money or not. Of course, if the company has lots of money, then it can grant lots of resources; maybe hire an employee to do things like make reservations, match roommates together, whatever. But for now it will exist for the people who have the money to give, and have a resource need they want to fill.
The point about a not-for-profit is, well, you cannot draw a profit. If you wanted to do consulting to earn a living, Technocation might not be the right venue. If you do a little consulting here or there to earn pocket change, and want to use it to buy a computer for the MySQL build farm, or a new laptop to develop on, or educational materials such as books, software, etc; that's more in line with the organization (and its legal requirements).
Of course, anyone who wants to donate or contract through Technocation is certainly welcome (ie, you do the work, Technocation gets the money). Just remember, whichever committee approves grants may or may not approve a grant proposal....
-Sheeri
sheeri kritzer
Sep 1, 2006, 4:03:15 PM9/1/06
to plane...@googlegroups.com
If folks want to start drafting or commenting,
http://technocation.org/collaborate/ has a link to the first whiteboard (thanks Frank for the suggestion!).
The password is "technoG33k" (no quotes)
You can either edit the page, or put a comment at the bottom of the page....
-Sheeri
http://technocation.org/collaborate/ has a link to the first whiteboard (thanks Frank for the suggestion!).
The password is "technoG33k" (no quotes)
You can either edit the page, or put a comment at the bottom of the page....
-Sheeri
Markus Popp
Sep 1, 2006, 5:08:11 PM9/1/06
to plane...@googlegroups.com
Hi Sheeri,
I also wish you all the best!
It's bad that such a great initiative requires so much administrative
work and involving so many authorities. This bureaucracy sounds worse
than what we have in Europe - and Europe is famous for its bureaucracy.
Much luck in getting through all of this! I'm sure, you'll make it ;-)!
Cheers,
Markus
sheeri kritzer schrieb:
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages