04-09-2015, 06:03 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Tom.Yost
This sounds like a great local effort that meets some basic community needs. I'd be disappointed if this couldn't be worked out. My searches did find some other organizations that I would like to help out instead if that's the case.
Is the only reason you give to a charity to get a tax write off?
Charitable works are often done by smaller groups acting under the umbrella of a larger organization, in this case a church. I don't know if churches have to register for 501c3 status or not, but historically churches have fed and clothed the poor using resources donated to them by their congregation. I don't understand why people are so hung up on the 501c3 status, the rules were changed several years ago making the reporting requirements much more onerous, causing many groups to quit offering tax deductions after allowing their 501c3 status to lapse.
There are organizations who do great work in the community without going through the whole 501c3 hassle, that does not mean they are committing fraud as someone here said, it just means you don't get a tax write off for your contributions. Nobody is getting rich from feeding the poor, to accuse people who are doing charitable acts of fraud because they aren't registered with the federal government shows a Grinch like soul.
edited for typo