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Thanks, Richard! We look forward to hearing from you. We'll have to work on the SEO for that key-phrase, sounds like :) .

Ah, funny you mention that! We considered it, but thought too many under-50s might know Consumer's Union/Reports a little better. For what it's worth, UL is still hard at work doing what they do!

Both structures work well. The Designated Director role allows a founder to maintain control over who serves on the board, without some of the attendant complications that comes with creating a membership structure. The DD does not have to same overall authority that a sole member does, but it is certainly a viable alternative and be all you need. Keep in mind there are a variety of ways to set up a DD structure, so do some research before jumping in all the way.

Most public safety groups that are not a unit of government qualify as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(4). We have worked with dozens of VFDs over the years as c4s. Reach out if you need help getting it all set up. See the link in the video description.

Absolutely, so long as all programs satisfy an acceptable purpose that aligns with your 501(c) status. For example, if you are a 501(c)(3), then all your programs must satisfy a charitable purpose. If you are a 501(c)(7), then all distinct programs must be recreational or social in nature. Hope that helps.

First, let me say I understand how working at a nonprofit hospital can make it tough to see how these issues play out. Those types of organizations are often hard to distinguish from for-profit hospitals, and in fact, are the subject of a lot of increasing government scrutiny. That said, EVERY nonprofit needs to make a profit. By that, I mean that every company, whether commercial or charitable, must bring in more money than it spends or it will go out of business. Simple business principle. Being a nonprofit isn't about that, as much as it is the purpose of the organization. Plus, if there is a profit, it isn't supposed to go into the pockets of insiders like it would with a regular company. Insiders can get paid for services rendered, but in the form of salary and benefits, not company profits. One reason for that is that nonprofits aren't owned by anyone, but rather governed by a board. You bring up ACORN...they lost their tax-exemption years ago due to illegal activity.

@@FoundationGroup Sad part is, these health systems are only getting larger. I worked for Aurora (Wisconsin), who merged with Advocate (Illinois), and now they are planning to merge with Atrium health out of North Carolina. The larger they get, the less of a local connection and employee connection. I understand that hospitals are businesses at the end of the day (surgeries making the bulk of profits) but it’s beginning to be more about making profits and an out-of-touch board being happy, than providing proper/adequate patient care and employee morale. Before becoming a cardiac sonographer, I was an ICU tech. We’d have patients on the unit who were waiting for a room on the floor to open up (so these were non-icu patients in a “holding pattern” for a standard room.) While in the ICU, receiving standard care, they would be charged ICU rates (higher insurance cost). This was done all the time. Or an overdose patient that came in with multiple issues, including organ failure, who weighed 155 upon arrival and 84lbs two months later when he passed. I watched him be reduced to nothing, as meds were being dumped into him. All for the sake of increasing his bill (he was terminal and no amount of meds would help.) We’d also hear how other systems around the country operated in a similar fashion (profit over care,) via travel nurses who worked with us. We’ve been working the job of two people before Covid even started, and it’s just sad to see the board and CEOs get the benefit of our work, which is why I question these non-profits.

Under certain circumstances, it is conceivable. There is a sub-sub-category of 501(c)(3) purpose that I didn't mention that is called "lessening of government burden". That's a situation where a 501(c)(3) is doing a job that would otherwise have to be performed by a government entity, whether local, regional, or national. Specifically, that role has to be done by proxy of the 501(c)(3) under a contract, not just voluntarily. Under that theory, if a defense contractor organized as a nonprofit corporation, had no owners nor private benefit, and contractually conducted a purpose exclusive to a contract with the gov't in lieu of the gov't doing the work themselves, then maybe. Not likely to ever happen, but conceivable!

Not at all. As long as the adherents of the religion sincerely hold to a set of beliefs, and the practices of the religion do not violate existing laws, then it probably would qualify as a religious charity.