Establishing a fund to accept donations

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Linda Bloom - 04 Aug 2004 23:23 GMT

Merle and I cannot afford to stay in our apartment. We can rent or buy a
house for much less, but don't have any money for either type of down
payment. A number of people have told us that they would be glad to donate
to that cause IF the donations would be tax-deductible.

I've seen these funds many times, and have donated to them as well, but now
that we need help I can't seem to find anyone who can tell me how to legally
set it up. I went to the bank, and they had me open a non-interest-bearing
account "For Benefit Of Merle Bloom" but no one there knew what to do next.

Does anyone have any experience at setting up a benefit fund (in the state
of Florida) for an individual?

God bless you for any information you can provide!

Linda

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kastons - 04 Aug 2004 23:56 GMT

> Merle and I cannot afford to stay in our apartment. We can rent or buy a
> house for much less, but don't have any money for either type of down
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>
> Linda

In order to set-up a tax exempt charitable fund, you need to meet certain
requirements that are set forth by the Department of Treasury (IRS). You
might want to get started by reading the following info at the IRS website:
http://www.irs.gov/charities/charitable/article/0,,id=96099,00.html

Good luck to you.

Sandy K.

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Steve Kramer - 05 Aug 2004 02:43 GMT

For information on tax-deductible charitable organizations, go to Google and
look up "501(c)(3)". I think you'll find all the information you need.
But, I don't think you'll like what you find. They are investigated and
certified by the IRS and I highly doubt that you can set one up for
yourself.

But, more importantly, last we heard, Merle's PSA was 742, but that was
months ago. What treatment is he going through and how is it going?

Signature

Prostate Cancer Survivor (so far), not a doctor
PSA 16 10/17/2000 @ 46
Biopsy 11/01/2000 G7 (3+4), T2c
RRP 12/15/2000
PSA .1 .1 .1 .27 .37 .75
EBRT 05-07/2002 @ 47
PSA .34 .22 .15 .21 .32
Erection 05/12/2003 @ 48
HTbegins 07/21/2003 @ 48
PSA .07 .05
Lupron 7/03, 8/03, 12/03, 4/04
non illegitimi carborundum

> Merle and I cannot afford to stay in our apartment. We can rent or buy a
> house for much less, but don't have any money for either type of down
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>
> Linda

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Andy Kemper - 05 Aug 2004 03:47 GMT

> Merle and I cannot afford to stay in our apartment. We can rent or buy a
> house for much less, but don't have any money for either type of down
> payment. A number of people have told us that they would be glad to donate
> to that cause IF the donations would be tax-deductible.

It would seem that these "glad to donate" folks are looking for an
excuse "not to donate".

Donations need not be tax deductible to be worthy.

It's not necessary to go the tax deductible route - in fact it's quite
daunting. Instead your local bank can set up a savings account to accept
donations (non-deductible).

Andy
Do not say to your neighbor, "Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give
it" -- when you have it with you. (Pro 3:28)

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Alan Meyer - 05 Aug 2004 23:04 GMT

> Merle and I cannot afford to stay in our apartment. We can rent or buy a
> house for much less, but don't have any money for either type of down
> payment....

Linda,

I don't know anything about tax deductible donations, but
there may be other ways to get help with housing. If you
haven't done it yet, you might try contacting the local
social services office. There may also be a local
county housing authority that can help.

You might also be able to get advice and/or help from
one of the local charities or counseling services. Some
organizations that could help might include Habitat for
Humanity, Catholic Charities, and others.

Throwing sick or elderly people out on the street is not
something that most Americans approve of, and most
governments don't like it either. Do check out what
help might be available. If you're having trouble finding
out who can help, try one of the public or private
social services offices. If you get blank stares or run
arounds, ask to speak to a different counselor, or try
a different agency. You have to be persistent to make
this work, but if you are, you might find a solution to your
problem - perhaps even one that helps you with the
rent in your current apartment without requiring you
to move.

Best of luck.

Alan

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