Forming some kind of organization -- and taking donations -- to advocate for chickens with flyers, m

[FreeRangePamela]

Hi, Folks:

This is a question for anyone who has participated in a campaign to change local chicken laws, ordinances or HOA rules. I know I'll likely need to do some mailings, make copies, etc. in my effort to change our neighborhood's restrictions.

And I know I can't solely fund all of those things by myself. I think my fellow neighbors would be willing to help pay for such things, but I'm just not sure how to set things up. I can create a specific PayPal account or something to allow people to donate to it, but do I legally need to form an entity to take and spend those donations? A non-profit? A political action committee? What?

I've done a lot of web searching with no luck so far, so any pointers would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Best,
Pamela

 

[Egghead_Jr]

A high school class can have a bake sale to fund a trip without forming an organization. The Girl Scout cookie sales is an institution with all that entails. If your scope is only for your personal neighborhood and HOA then no, you would not have to form a non-profit or business. If you were going to do this for/to as many HOA's as you could in America you would.

 

[FreeRangePamela]

Thank you! I did some research and found a type of organization -- an unincorporated non-profit association -- that seems to fit our needs without being too complicated. The main purpose for forming an organization is to keep the books separate and start a PayPal account. So, I think we'll be good and it's at the same scale as the other efforts you mention. Appreciate it!