"Gotchas!"

 Fundraising Questions to Ask Before They “gotcha”
UPFRONT DISCLAIMER! I am not a lawyer in any state. I am a researcher. Nothing said or implied here can be taken as legal advice, but only for educational and entertainment purposes. It is highly recommended to contact licensed, qualified, specialized-in-state-fundraising- regulations attorneys in every state that your intentions are to raise funds BEFORE your event.

1. True or False? Most people think of their church or Christian School status as a 501(c) 3 exempts them from registering their fundraising activities. 

2. How did you get started in “ed-u-ma-ca-ting” Christian leaders about fundraising regulations?

3. There are 50 states, DC and 5 U.S. Territories. Do they all have the same, uniform laws and regulations, form, requirements, and filing dates and renewal dates?

4. What constitutes that a non-profit is fund-raising in multiple states?

5. True or false? A nonprofit fundraising nationally must register to do business in every state.

6. True or false? Only a fundraising professional or commercial coventurer needs to register. I’m only using myself and volunteers and current staff members.

7. True or false? Registering to do business in a state is not the same as registering to solicit charitable donations.

8.  We are just a small church fundraising for a mission trip and to send kids to camp. Someone thinks it’s a great idea to put up short videos on all their social media accounts and ask their friends to sponsor them. That sounds like a good idea, doesn’t it?

9. True or false? There are no penalties for noncompliance.

10.  Do any states require solicitations to include disclosure statements even if that state doesn’t require registration?

11. True or false? Most states require registration only if donations are actually received.

Conclusion: If you don’t know the correct answers to these few questions (all but #2) then chances are really good that you will not know the answers to the many other questions you need to know as a Christian leader in your ministry’s fundraising efforts. Don’t be surprised when sharks attack after you throw shark bait in the waters!

Let us pray: “Father, I know you have placed me in a position of shouting out this warning to Your people. Help me be faithful to the task. Abba, Daddy, I ask that You give Your wisdom to Your servants in their fundraising efforts. Let them be aware of Your warning from John 10:10. ‘The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.’ And Father, You also commanded us in 2 Corinthians 2:11 to be aware ‘Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.’ In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”

Answers: 1-The answer is true. Most people do think that way. BUT their ministry may or may not be exempt from fundraising regulations. And even if it is, they probably still need to register their exemption before the intended fundraising event. 2-too long to answer here, but can easily do that over a podcast. 3-No. 4-Anything that crosses state lines from being in person to online to snail mail to a bunch of other things. 5-False. 6-False. 7-True. 8-It doesn’t to me! 9-If you believe that, then I have a bridge for sell in Brooklyn! Wanna buy it? 10-Yes! Extra points if you know which ones! 11-So sorry, but the correct answer is no.

Be blessed in the Name of Jesus!
I know I am!
Linda
P.S. I have a short, free ebook, “The Real Cost of Online Fundraising That Nobody Talks About!” waiting for you at https://www.LindaLCulbreth.com. Also, if you would like for me to speak to your audience, contact me there.

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