questions about non-profit groups and stuff

[darklisruthven]

Obviously I am here with my own huge clearouts and that for uni, but, and this is only an idea being toyed with at the moment, it has been discussed within the committee of the amdram group I founded and still end up doing most of the admin for, and basically I said I would find out what I could, and then report back at our AGM.

We are a non-profit organisation (in the extreme!) funded off jumblesales and carboot sales...and are looking for other ways of funding things like costumes.. we don't even own a table, we have to beg and borrow for every show every time! I was wondering about opening an Ebid ac**** for the theatre group.

- from time to time we have things left over from shows, that we would like to sell, programmes and whatnot (and specialising in local history theres usually a few interesting historical, researched, articles...

- One thing we do, is a lot of very lovely promo photography, and several people in the past have asked us for huge prints as posters, so thats a possibility.

- Another thing we are thinking about, is recording a CD of local and self-written folk songs, and selling it. Again, it would be great to list it on here, linked to a "listen to samples" site, but bear in mind that they will be home-burned and packaged, I dont know if we would be allowed to sell them on here, since they wont be from a big record company???????

- Also, this would mean the need for "multiple accounts" having one for the theatre group... I dont know if Ebid would be likely to OK this

- And final issue. The theatre group is legally a non-profit organisation, not a business, not an individual, and not a registered charity. Where on earth would we stand on the individual/ business status of an account, (I am thinking of all the legal implications of being registered as a business on here when the theatre group is not anything of the kind, and no person earns ANYTHING from the theatre group. In fact we all voluntarily pour extra money and things INTO it, not the other way around! )


advice please?

[somersethedge]

ask support... they are the only ones who can really tell you

[bluebedouin]

....I was wondering about opening an Ebid ac**** for the theatre group.

Before you ask,you probably missed the "o" out!

...Another thing we are thinking about, is recording a CD of local and self-written folk songs, and selling it. Again, it would be great to list it on here, linked to a "listen to samples" site, but bear in mind that they will be home-burned and packaged, I dont know if we would be allowed to sell them on here, since they wont be from a big record company???????

- Also, this would mean the need for "multiple accounts" having one for the theatre group... I dont know if Ebid would be likely to OK this

- And final issue. The theatre group is legally a non-profit organisation, not a business, not an individual, and not a registered charity. Where on earth would we stand on the individual/ business status of an account, (I am thinking of all the legal implications of being registered as a business on here when the theatre group is not anything of the kind, and no person earns ANYTHING from the theatre group. In fact we all voluntarily pour extra money and things INTO it, not the other way around! )


advice please?

I think that whatever advice is given the best answer will come from support.

[Armstrongs]

Obviously I am here with my own huge clearouts and that for uni, but, and this is only an idea being toyed with at the moment, it has been discussed within the committee of the amdram group I founded and still end up doing most of the admin for, and basically I said I would find out what I could, and then report back at our AGM.

We are a non-profit organisation (in the extreme!) funded off jumblesales and carboot sales...and are looking for other ways of funding things like costumes.. we don't even own a table, we have to beg and borrow for every show every time! I was wondering about opening an Ebid ac**** for the theatre group.

- from time to time we have things left over from shows, that we would like to sell, programmes and whatnot (and specialising in local history theres usually a few interesting historical, researched, articles...

- One thing we do, is a lot of very lovely promo photography, and several people in the past have asked us for huge prints as posters, so thats a possibility.

- Another thing we are thinking about, is recording a CD of local and self-written folk songs, and selling it. Again, it would be great to list it on here, linked to a "listen to samples" site, but bear in mind that they will be home-burned and packaged, I dont know if we would be allowed to sell them on here, since they wont be from a big record company???????

- Also, this would mean the need for "multiple accounts" having one for the theatre group... I dont know if Ebid would be likely to OK this

- And final issue. The theatre group is legally a non-profit organisation, not a business, not an individual, and not a registered charity. Where on earth would we stand on the individual/ business status of an account, (I am thinking of all the legal implications of being registered as a business on here when the theatre group is not anything of the kind, and no person earns ANYTHING from the theatre group. In fact we all voluntarily pour extra money and things INTO it, not the other way around! )


advice please?

Just my rambling thoughts here

As long as your amdram group has "charitable aims", then to all intents and purposes is is still classed as a charity

The amdram group cannot be a business......it would have to have a seperate trading arm set up...with profits being given to the amdram group instead.
This route is really only feasible for larger charities, otherwise it's more hassle than it's worth

Have you given any thoughts as to testing the waters as a volunteer fundraiser on ebid?
I can see that you have 5 active stores, but one of them only has a few items in it....would it be feasible to operate this store as a fundraiser instead?

Yvonne x

[MHTTrading]

If your group generates revenue in excess of £5000 per annum then you must register with the Charity Commission.
If its less than £5000 per annum you don't need to register but either way you must keep accurate financial records for inspection by HMRC.

[darklisruthven]

the occult store, I'm afraid is due for a big expansion as soon as the summer hols come...

[JJcards]

Are there any message boards pertaining to what you do,perhaps you could arrange something on one of them,we had done that a ways back in regards to some annual charity functions(all sports related) but went over very well as we were allowed to mention when and where we would be having these drives but were also able to list items for sale we did however have to give our charity # as proof

Maybe a freeweb site can be another route if for nothing more than some advertisement of you wares some pics descriptions and contacts,you never know

Good luck to you