Fundraising - what's legal??

[DoeWDW]

My son has been accepted into the People to People Student Ambassador program. They encourage the kids to do fundraising to raise some of the tuition money for the trip.

However, they make it very clear that you are raising money to pay for your own tuition. Therefore, it is NOT a non-profit deal - no one can write off their contributions on their taxes, etc.

How would I know what we legally can and can't do to raise funds? Also, is the money that my son receives toward his trip considered taxable income?

We thought about raffling off a computer but I'm not sure this is legal?

Any ideas, DIS'ers??

P.S. This should in no way be construed as solicitation for donations. I will not accept them - that isn't what this board is about. I'm just looking for information on what's legal & what's not.

 

[Kimberle]

You can do any fundraiser you'd like, as long as you are very clear on what you are raising the funds for. It does not have to be a non for profit one. Just make sure that people know ahead it is non tax deductable.

A man with a young family from my company has been battling cancer. He was out of work for many months. We did several "fund raisers" (bake sales, raffel etc) and raised about $5k for him. Since we didn't have a non-profit "id #", everyone knows their "donation" is non deductable.

Good luck,

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Raffeling off a computer could be tricky. We are looking into buying one for my brother and SIL as a Christmas gift and most places have a 15 day warrenty. After that it goes to the manufacturer.
Except Circuit City, at least right now.

I don't know who you would be selling the tickets too but at least you can check into this stuff beforehand.

Good Luck

Oh and selling those candy bars is just plain easy money.

 

[wovenwonder]

I would say that the candy bars would be a good thing. Like someone else stated --- EASY MONEY! I think it would be a good idea to include some sort of a handmade label to show what the funds are going for. Maybe take HERSHEY bars and make wrappers to expose the 'HE'. Make custom labels to say that 'HE' is going on a trip with 'People to People' -- Thanks for supporting this cause. I bet your daughter could make up something neat in PrintShop. Maybe even include a web address where people can contact him after his trip to get details on his experience. I would put on the label in small letter something to state that this is not a 'no profit' organization/donation.

Good Luck Doreen!

 

[MerryPoppins]

Here people can "make a donation" and you give them a free raffle ticket, but you can't sell them raffle tickets.

Candy bars sure sell well. So do seasonal things like wreaths before Christmas or mulch in the spring.

Good luck.

 

[Octoberbride03]

Pretty much anything is legal for fundraising, sending letters out, sellling candy(although you might wind up eating more than you sell as i did when i was in bandfront in high school). As far as raffling stuff off you want to check with your local officials. Cause you may need a permit fee to do it. You don't wanna be caught unawares if an official finds out and asks for your permit number. DIfferent towns in PA have different rules. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Maureen
(Who the heck stole my castle )

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

My cousin is doing the same thing, raising money for People to People. She just finished her first fundraiser - Home Interiors jar candles. she made 25% profit. Candles are normal price starting at $6 and the FR was $8. If you don't have a displayer, check www.homeinteriors.com. I think there is a search for a displayer near you.

some other ideas:
Joe Corbi's (not sure if they have restrictions)
sandwich sale
check online resources for fundraising.

Good Luck