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soc.org.nonprofit: FAQs (part 1)

Version from Nov 2, 1994, 9:37:44 AM.

SOC.ORG.NONPROFIT and USNONPROFIT-L FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Part 1 of 4

==============================
Subject: TABLE OF CONTENTS

- ----------------------------------- Part 1 ----------------------------
======== FAQ posting information
FPI-01 Copyright
FPI-02 Disclaimers
FPI-03 Format
FPI-04 Differences
======== Section 0: SOC.ORG.NONPROFIT (and relationship to USNONPROFIT-L)
Q00-01 What is USNONPROFIT-L? How do I subscribe? Unsubscribe?
Q00-02 Is USNONPROFIT-L only for the United States?
Q00-03 What is soc.org.nonprofit?
======== Section 1: STARTUP AND DEFINITIONS
Q01-01 Where to start
Q01-02 How do I go about incorporating an organization as a nonprofit?
Q01-03 Do I need a lawyer to do this? How much should I pay?
Q01-04 What actual documents do I need? Which filings come first?
Q01-05 Can the organization operate during this process?
Q01-06 Which is right: nonprofit, non-profit or not-for-profit?
Q01-07 Will a trademark protect my organization's name on the net?
======== Section 2: HARDWARE/SOFTWARE
Q02-01: How important is a computer system? Can I get hardware donated?
Q02-02: My board really doesn't want to spend money
Q02-03: My Board member says to use his/her brother-in-law as a vendor.
Q02-04: What's reasonable to spend?
Q02-05: What if they won't even spend that?
Q02-06: How can I get software donated?
Q02-07: What's the best kind of accounting software?
Q02-08: What's the best kind of client or donor-tracking software?
======== Section 3: MANAGEMENT/BOARDS
Q03-01 What are good jobs to keep board members involved productively?
Q03-02 Shouldn't Board members be out raising money and doing PR?
Q03-03 How can my organization do a self assessment?
Q03-04 Do a nonprofit's board meetings have to be open to the public?
Q03-05 Don't Board lists have to be made public?
Q03-06 We can't afford a full office and staff. Where can we turn?

- ----------------------------------- Part 2 ----------------------------
Q03-07 Are Board members personally liable? Do we need D & O Insurance?
Q03-08 What are some good programs in Non-profit Management?
======== Section 4: ANNUAL AND CAPITAL CAMPAIGNS/PROGRAM FEES/OTHER SOURCES
Q04-01 How can I determine my program costs easily?
Q04-02 How can I get non-philanthropic corporate support?
======== Section 5: EVENTS
Q05-01 What kind of events are best to raise money with little cost?
======== Section 6: NON-CASH DONATIONS
Q06-01 Can donated equipment be deductible for the donor?
Q06-02 Can we sell the donated equipment and use the proceeds?
======== Section 7: GRANTSEEKING & GRANTWRITING
Q07-01 I keep hearing about people getting grants -- how do they do it?
Q07-02 Where do we start?
Q07-03 How can we decide which foundations to send proposals to?
Q07-04 How can we learn more about what funders want in a proposal?

- ----------------------------------- Part 3 ----------------------------
Q07-05 How do you get started writing a proposal?
Q07-06 What characterizes a good proposal?
Q07-07 How can we better the odds of getting a grant?
Q07-08 Sources of information for grantwriting and research.
======== Section 8: NON-DONATED INCOME
Q08-01: When can a NPO charge?
Q08-02: Can I sell things and still be a tax-exempt organization?
======== Section 9: PLANNED GIVING: WILLS, TRUSTS AND BEQUESTS [In preparation.]
======== Section 10: MARKETING
Q10-01 What is marketing?
Q10-02 Why would nonprofit organizations want to market?
Q10-03 Why are nonprofits so reluctant to market?
Q10-04 Where can I find some simple marketing ideas?
Q10-05 What if all our money comes from government contracts and donations?
Q10-06 How do I market my agency?
Q10-07 How do I define my programs so people will understand?
Q10-08 How do I determine my market?
Q10-09 To whom do I aim my marketing?
Q10-10 How do I set my marketing strategy?
Q10-11 What are some simple, low or no cost things I can do to start?
Q10-12 What is marketing research?
Q10-13 How is "market research" different from "marketing research"?
Q10-14 When should I conduct marketing research?
Q10-15 How do I do market research?
Q10-16 How do I do some low cost marketing research?
Q10-17 What's this business about "internal marketing"?
Q10-18 How do I carry out internal marketing?
Q10-19 What should we say to our employees about philanthropy?
======== Section 11: INTERNET RESOURCES
Q11-01 Where can I find useful resources on the net?
Q11-02 What are some ways that nonprofits can use the net?

- ----------------------------------- Part 4 ----------------------------
======== Section 12: COMMUNITY RELATIONS
Q12-01 Local Organizations State-by-State
Q12-02 National Support and Advocacy Organizations
Q12-03 White House and Federal Agency Liaisons
======== Section 13: INTERNATIONAL [In preparation.]
======== Section 14: BIBLIOGRAPHY
======== Section 15: THEORY AND BACKGROUND
Q15-01 Can a nonprofit be a business?
Q15-02 Who can benefit from a nonprofit's activities?
======== Section 16: CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS FAQ DOCUMENT

==============================
Subject: FAQ posting information

FPI-01 Copyright

This document (c) Copyright 1994, all rights reserved. Redistribution of
this document is hereby freely granted so long as the document is
redistributed in its entirety (here interpreted as all text which were not
automated generated by software as part of the distribution process); in
particular, with attributions and this copyright notice.

FPI-02 Disclaimers

(1) Contained herein are comments, thoughts and ideas about various
aspects of forming, managing, funding and otherwise founding or dealing
with nonprofit organizations. Nothing herein shall be taken as legal,
accounting, business or tax counsel or advice. Readers are urged to seek
competant counsel and advice from attorneys, accountants and other
professionals before taking any action. The material herein is provided
as is, with no express or implied warranty.

(2) To the best of our knowledge the information contained here is
factually correct.

(3) No claims are made that this document represents the opinions
of a majority of the readers of the soc.org.nonprofits newsgroup.

(4) The names and affiliations of the compilers appear at the end along
with identification where available of the sources (both persons and
publications) of information and opinions contained in this document. In
all cases, affiliations are mentioned for the purposes of disclosure and
identification only; nothing contained in this document should be
construed as the adopted position of any named organization unless it is
specifically identified as such in the immediate context.

FPI-03 Format

This document is in digest format. Your news reader software may
understand how to "burst" a digest into its constituent pieces for ease of
reading. Please do not ask for instructions on how to do this with your
software. Please do contact us if you notice that there is something
which makes this document not properly conform to digest format.

The most recent edition of this document can be obtained by anonymous ftp
from the /evergreen directory at eskimo.com under the name
soc-org-nonprofit-faq . It can also be obtained using a web browser
using the URL http://www.eskimo.com/~pbarber and chosing the first link.

It is our intention to arrange for this file to be archived by MIT (and
other sites who wish it) soon; we have concentrated our attention up to
now (11/1/94) on assembling the text.

Additional information and updates are very welcome, as are
suggestions on how to make this document more useful. Please send
email to pba...@eskimo.com and use the Subject line of this posting if
possible.

FPI-04 Differences

A list of changes from previous versions of this document is provided
for the convenience of readers who want to know what's new.

11/1/94 First publication as soc-org-nonprofit-FAQ on newsgroup and listserv.

==============================
Subject: 0. SOC.ORG.NONPROFIT (and relationship to USNONPROFIT-L)

Q00-01 What is USNONPROFIT-L? How do I subscribe? Unsubscribe?

To SUBSCRIBE to USnonprofit-l (which crossposts to/from soc.org.nonprofit):

E-mail to: <majo...@rain.org>

Leave subject line blank

Type the following one-line message: Subscribe USnonprofit-l

Do not include any other text or signature. Please note that the last
character of the name of the list is the letter "el", not the numeral "one".


To UNSUBSCRIBE from USnonprofit-l:

E-mail to <majo...@rain.org>

Leave subject line blank

Type the following one-line message: Unsubscribe USnonprofit-l

Do not include any other text or signature. Again, please note that the last
character of the name of the list is the letter "el", not the numeral "one".

______________________________

The USnonprofit list is a discussion group for issues facing
nonprofit organizations, and the causes and people that they serve.

Particularly encouraged are *action-oriented* discussions :-).

Topics addressed will include: what issues are faced by nonprofit
groups today; what specific issues are the people in the less-advantaged
sectors of society (the poor, the homeless, those with disabilities, those
with English as a second language, those who have been abused,
seniors, etc.) wrestling with today; how can technology (and in
particular, telecommunications) help them deal with these issues:
in particular, how can this technology help them help themselves;
what are some effective volunteer recruitment and management techniques;
fundraising project issues; grants resources; questions of how we can
more involve the business sector in eg., partnerships with nonprofits
as well as specific outreach programs; the role of nonprofit agencies as
Regional Information Centers on the Internet, and how this affects traditional
roles; synergies between nonprofits and community networks.

USnonprofit-l is sponsored by the Santa Barbara RAIN Network in
Santa Barbara, California. It runs on a Rain listserver. Send questions
about the technical operation of the listserver to ra...@rain.org.

Send all other questions, ideas and comments to the moderators of the list:

Moderators:
Tom Newman
new...@csos.orst.edu
Michael Chui
mc...@cs.indiana.edu (Michael Chui)

Q00-02 Is USNONPROFIT-L only for the United States?

The short answer is "no". There are subscribers to the list in many
other countries and postings frequently reflect interesting international
perspectives. There has been ongoing discussion about the idea of
changing the name so as to avoid the appearance that the discussion
excludes people from other countries. From a practical point of view,
the challenge of disseminating such a change through the 'net is
daunting. And there are some readers who have urged that other countries
should look forward to the day when issues and initiatives for nonprofits
around the world would be discussed through a variety of country-specific
lists and an /international/ one for ideas that transcend national
boundaries. For the time being, postings to usnonprofit-l are encouraged
from every part of the world.

Q00-03 What is soc.org.nonprofit?

A Usenet newsgroup. Postings to usnonprofit-l and soc.org.nonprofit are
automatically echoed in the other.

soc.org.nonprofit allows people to follow these discussions of nonprofit
issues by using newsreader software rather than having them arrive as
e-mail. Common newsreaders go by names like RN, TRN, TIN, NN; they are
discussed in most introductory books on the 'net.

The mechanics of choosing a newsreader and getting it set up to read
soc.org.nonprofit are beyond the limits of this FAQ. Please get help
from your system administrators or a more experienced net user if you
would like to explore the resources available to you through Usenet.

==============================
Subject: 1. STARTUP

Q01-01 Where to start

MISSION STATEMENT

Through open discussion with the people who will be involved as volunteer
leaders, define what it is you intend to do and how you will do it.

A Mission Statement can be as short as one sentence and should be able to
be defined in just one short paragraph. If you can't do it that
concisely, maybe you're not sure what you really want to do.

LEGAL. Incorporating; documents needed; filings.

Q01-02 How do I go about incorporating an organization as a nonprofit?

The procedures vary from state to state; however, the following
can be used as a general guideline. It isn't as complicated
as you might think.

Q01-03 Do I need a lawyer to do this? How much should I pay?

Generally, anyone who can write clearly and follow directions can, with
input from your volunteer leadership, draft all the documents necessary.
Then, you only need a lawyer to review things twice: Before you send the
packet to the state and again (with the additional documents required) to
the federal government. You definitely need a legal review of your
documents at those times.

Best deal: Ask a lawyer friendly to your cause to do it pro bono (free).
This assumes you have tightly drawn documents to give him/her so not many
changes would be expected.

Next best: Call your local Bar Association pro bono or similar committee,
United Way, Community Foundation or friends at other established
nonprofits for names of civic or philanthropy-minded lawyers who might do it
for free.

Failing that: Negotiate a reasonable fee -- say, $500 or less.

How else can we find a lawyer or accountant who's not part of our
organization to do some work for free?

Depends on the work and the community. For lawyers, call your local Bar
Association for referrals. Some of them have lawyers who donate a limited
amount of time to certain local nonprofits, depending on the activities
of the nonprofit. Your local United Way may also be able to refer you.

Accountants: Try the local CPA society. For example, Chicago has a group
call CPAs for the Public Interest. You might see if your community has
something similar.

Putnam Barber adds:

The National Office of Accountants for the Public Interest is at 1012 14th
Street NW, Suite 906, Washington, DC 20005. They can tell you whether
there is a nearby chapter of the group.

Most state bar associations and CPA associations have committees that
focus on the nonprofit side of the professions' work. Another avenue to
identify potential sources of local assistance -- paid or pro bono --
would be to contact the chair or one of the members of such a committee.


DOCUMENTS/FILINGS

Q01-04 What actual documents do I need? Which filings come first?

Assuming you have a group of people who have defined a bona fide need to be
met and have some idea of how to do it; and have reason to believe you
will have clients to serve or programs to benefit to the community; and
believe you can can secure enough bodily support (like volunteers) and
financial support, you begin with securing nonprofit status in your state.

Then, if you want donations to qualify for tax exemption, you use the
official letter granting nonprofit status from the state plus an IRS
application form to file for federal recognition as tax-exempt and
eligible to receive tax-deductible donations.

ORDER

The steps are:

- - Contact the Secretary of State or comparable office in the state in
which the organization will operate. Ask for the appropriate application
forms and list of attachments necessary. (These will include articles of
incorporation, board list, etc.)

- - Be sure to ask for any other materials that explain the rules, etc.
governing charitable solicitations, hiring employees, employer payroll
and unemployment taxes, registering for taxes and for sales and/or income
taxes under state and local law (if any), and matters of interest for
setting up and managing a nonprofit in your state. These may come from
several different offices at both the state and local levels.

- - Complete and have your lawyer file that application with the state. It
may sound silly, but make sure it's complete. No detail is too small
to make officials kick it back to you.

Remember: A state application will require you to provide Articles of
Incorporation. And -- have your lawyer review and send it.

- - Create a set of by laws under which you will operate. (There are many,
many good books in libraries and bookstores to help you.)

- - Concurrently, request Form 1023 from the IRS. Complete that packet (you
have up to 15 months from the date you receive your state incorporation;
otherwise, you have to start over).

- - Visit a big post office, or call the nearest Postal Service
administrative office, and request the information packets for nonprofit
mailers. A separate application to the Postal Service is required
before you can take advantage of the lower rates that are authorized
for some nonprofits and some kinds of mail. The postal service offers
seminars on many relevant topics; it is probably worthwhile to ask for
a list.

Good news! Once you receive your approval from the state, you can call
the IRS (Most areas have an 800- number) and receive your federal I.D.
number by phone, pending final application and approval. This I.D. is
your federal employer number, which will be needed for many reports and
transactions, including setting up your bank account.

Q01-05 Can the organization operate during this process?

State laws vary, so check closely. There are really two questions:

a. May a "non-profit" organization operate before the STATE grants it a
charter as such an organiztion?

The short answer is: State law governs absolutely.

The oxymoron is: an "organization" that does not yet have its charter
from the state does not exist, except perhaps (state law, again) as an
"association" of its members. But such a "proto-organization" can
probably solicit support (although doubtful that it could do so to the
general public -- state law, wouldn't you know) for the costs of
organization (i.e., incorporation, IRS filings, etc.)

So, declaring oneself to "be" a non-profit before the state of
incorporation bestows such a mantle is presumptuous but, so long as the
status is correctly disclosed, probably not illegal.

However, soliciting funds -- especially from the public -- before
organizational status is achieved (and specific state approval for the
solicitaion, as many states require, is also obtained) may very well be
illegal. State law governs.

b. May an organization solicit funds as a "non-profit" before the IRS
recognizes its tax-exempt status.

Federal tax exempt status (i.e., recognition as a tax-exempt public
charity pursuant to Sec. 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code) is
another story.

It is virtually normative behavior for non-profits to begin operations
before they get their federal tax exemption, since that can take months
(or, depending upon the IRS region, longer.) There is nothing wrong with
a non-profit's applying for grants or soliciting support before the IRS
rules, so long as the interim status is disclosed.

A donor giving to a non-profit during this period does take a risk that
tax-exempt status will not be granted, in which case the contribution is
not deductible. For a private foundation, the risk is greater, since
that type of entity may not grant funds to other than a recognized exempt
organization.

In the latter case, fledgling non-profits use the offer of a grant,
conditioned on IRS approval, as a way to expedite the approval
process. (Believe it or not, it does work, if adequately documented.)
In the former case, the non-profit may agree to return the contribution
if tax exempt status is denied.

And, you have to acknowledge those donations and tell the donor that you
have state approval and federal application is in progress.

References:

A very popular and widely used handbook:
Mancuso, Anthony
"How to Form a Nonprofit Corporation" (Good for all 50 states)
Nolo Press. 2nd Edition. 1994. $39.95
Includes a disk with prototypes of necessary incorporation documents.

A new practical guide by a widely quoted legal expert:
Hopkins, Bruce
"A Legal Guide to Starting and Managing a Nonprofit Organization"
(2nd edition). New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1993. $19.95.

Q01-06 Which is right: nonprofit, non-profit or not-for-profit?

Putnam Barber writes:

There is "on-going discussion" about this question. Some people believe
that there's a legal or practical difference among the three forms.
Others don't. You will find all three in this faq-file, used pretty-much
interchangeably.

Two authorities: (1) The introductions to publications from the Yale
University Center for the Study of Non-Profit Organizations (PONPO)
apologize for the nonstandard spelling (with a hyphen) and say that the
center and its acronym were established before agreement was reached that
no hyphen is necessary.

(2) The Washington state law governing nonprofit corporations uses both
nonprofit and not-for-profit side by side wherever either one might be
thought to be sufficient. I don't know the history, but I assume this
pattern is intended to counter the thought that there's a distinction
between the two forms of the term.

IMHO, the usage "nonprofit" is to be preferred, if we are stuck with
referring to this broad and important aspect of community activity through
distinguishing it from what it is /not/ (see Roger Lohmann's discussions
of this problem, cited in the bibliography). To my way of thinking,
adding hyphens and additional words does not clarify the meaning in any
useful way. But that is just my humble opinion. Clearly all three ways
of presenting the idea are in current usage and none is decidedly
"right"... or "wrong".

Q01-07: Will a trademark protect my organization's name on the net?

The easy answer is to file for a trademark: it doesn't matter how it is
used. However, the important thing is to get the mark based on first
use: someone else can file ahead of you and get the rights (or at least
assertable rights). This happens all the time in the commercial world.

==============================
Subject: 2. HARDWARE/SOFTWARE

Q02-01: How important is a computer system? Can I get hardware donated?

See information below regarding companies to contact. However, when
determining how to set up your operations, your should consider putting
your money into a good computer system.

A good system (not fancy) will more than pay for itself in the way
you can generate donor lists and track donations; do personalized mail
merges to cultivate interest and donors; create fundraising event
and campaign lists, track your committees, etc. etc.

Most brochures, flyers, promotional pieces and camera-ready ads can be
done in-house. If you train just one person how to use Pagemaker, say,
you recoup the $175 cost of the course (found everywhere) by the second
outside typesetting job you can pass up.

Q02-02: My board really doesn't want to spend money because our system is
only 4 years old.

Explain (or have one of *them* explain to the others) that the new
programs -- which you really need just to keep current, let alone do
better for the organization -- require the new technology.

Boards are mindful that there are limited dollars out there (actually
more than anyone admits) and that they must compete with every other
organization and institution looking for philanthropic dollars. They'll
understand the visual example if you (maybe looking a bit foolish) do a
bit of jogging in place. That's who *you and they* are. Follow it by
striding across the room. (Running may be a bit much.) That's it.

Q02-03: My Board member says to use his/her brother-in-law as a vendor.

OK as long as the price is competitive, the service policy as good or
better and the Board member doesn't "benefit materially." It won't look
terrific, but you can keep things both legal and friendly. [See Q15-02
below for more on related themes.]

Good plan: Shop. Get 3 bids on the *identical* system. One can be from
brother-in-law. Keep it businesslike and cordial, verbally welcoming
brother-in-law's quote openly and warmly. If it's considerably more, let board
member know and ask his/her *advice*.

To comply with a Board's fiduciary responsibility (what they are allowed
to do with funds received by a nonprofit) they may not advise you to spend
more to keep the family happy.

Q02-04: What's reasonable to spend? (As of October 1994)

New PCs are readily available for under $1500. Including a reliable
printer (e.g., HP Deskjet 520), monitor, modem, 8 mgb of RAM (don't get
less) and tape backup it should still be around $2700.

Also recommended if you can afford it: An on-site warranty policy. Well
worth your time and energy unless the repair center is around the corner.

Q02-05: What if they won't even spend that?

Ask:

1) Institutions/Businesses: Find a nearby bank, university or company
that is upgrading, going out of business or downsizing and simply ask --
nicely -- for a donation of their still-working 386's or better.
Make sure you have someone knowledgable check it out so you don't end
up having to add a lot of things.

Contact local colleges and universities which may have recycling
programs in place for computer hardware and software. If none, suggest they
start one. In Pittsburgh, PA, Carnegie Mellon Univ. has started a recycling
program through the campus computer store with the stated goal of marketing
older computer equipment ot local nonprofits. For info on how the CMU
program was started/works contact: <ps...@andrew.cmu.edu>.

2) Individuals: Some potential donors like the idea of donating
something tangible. Maybe one (or a family, or several) can be persuaded
that the very mission of the organization can be carried out so much
better, efficiently and effectively with better use of volunteer and paid
personnel that they'll give the system.

3) Grants: Though few and far between, more and more foundations are
funding grants for hardware and software -- especially for the more
"popular" social service areas. They recognize the long term program and
financial benefit. [See elsewhere for Grants Resources or check The
Foundation Directory in your library.]

Seek out THE DIRECTORY OF COMPUTER AND HIGH TECHNOLOGY GRANTS
by Richard M. Eckstein, Margate, FL Research Grant Guides at a
Foundation/Nonprofit Resource Center.

4) The following corporations may donate hardware:

Apple Computer
Apple Community Affairs
20525 Mariani Ave, MS:38J
Cupertino, CA 95014
408-974-2974

Type of gifts: Donates computers to environmental organizations and schools
nationwide. Also gives equipment and cash to nonprofits working with young
people in the San Francisco Bay area.

AST Research
Corporate Contributions Program
16215 Alton Parkway
Irvine, CA 92718
714-727-8144

Types of Gifts: Cash and computers to schools and nonprofits providing
health care and social services.

Gateway 2000
Donation Committee
610 Gateway Dr.
North Sioux City, SD 57049
800-846-2000 ext. 6910

Types of Gifts: Cash and computers to environmental groups, national and
local. Aids nonprofits in Sioux City region.

Silicon Graphics
Jan Houghton
Community Relations Representative
2011 North Shoreline Blvd.
Mountain View, CA 94043-1389
415-390-1642

Types of Gifts: Cash and used computer equipment to nonprofits providing job
training and social services, as well as used equipment to schools. Gives
new equipment to higher education institutions, especially those with
computer science depts.

Sun Microsystems
Corporate Affairs
2550 Garcia Ave.
Mail Stop PALl-516
Mountain View, CA 94043
415-336-5337

Types of Gifts: Cash grants to groups in the San Francisco Bay area and the
Merrimack Valley in Massachusetts to support business development and job and
leadership training for low-income people. Also (in those areas) to schools
that provide economics instruction and programs to motivate youth to attend
college. Gives software and hardware to colleges, universities and other
nonprofits that support academic research. To apply for hardware aid,
contact the Academic Equipment Grant Program at 415-336-0814.

Other Equipment:

McCaw Cellular Communications
Corporate Contributions
5400 Carillon Point
Kirkland, WA 98033
206-827-4500

Types of Gifts: Provides cellular telephones and free phone service as well
as cash to nonprofits in the 20 areas where the company has operations.

Octel Communications Corporation
Melanie Hancock
Employee Services Specialist
890 Tasman Dr.
Milpitas, CA 95035-7439
408-321-6988

Types of Gifts: Provides Voice-mail telephone systems and cash to a wide
range of nonprofits in the 14 US cities where it operates as well as to
groups in its international locations.

Q02-06: How can I get software donated?

See Q02-05 and:

Opinions seem to vary regarding Gifts In Kind America: Some respondents
state that GIK is low-cost or no-cost; others state that membership is
required -- with variations re cost; still others have conflicting
opinions whether or not United Way agency status is required. We
strongly recommend determining correct facts before proceeding. Basic
information appears to be:

Gifts in Kind America distributes software on behalf of corporations.
Contact your own United Way organization and ask for the Gifts in Kind
coordinator. Or, for a fee based on your budget, join the national Gifts in
Kind and receive their catalog of all products including software and order
directly. There is a processing fee in both cases--very reasonable. You do
not have to be a United Way agency.

They offer Lotus, Microsoft, Aldus, Borland and other software products.

Gifts in Kind America
700 North Fairfax Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 836-2121

Or: (information from 4/93) Note: As with most corporations, cash grants
may be limited to the geographic region where the corporation is located.

Lotus Development Corp.
The Philanthropy Program
55 Cambridge Parkway
Cambridge, MA 02142
617-693-1667

Types of Gifts: Makes software donations to a wide range of nonprofits.
Gifts in Kinds handles requests except in Boston area where they give
directly. Provides cash grants to nonprofits mainly in Boston area that are
trying to end racism or provide computer skills to needy people. Also
provides free training in the use of computers to non-profit officials.

Microsoft Corp.
Microsoft Community Affairs
One Microsoft Way
Redmond, WA 98052-6399
206-936-8185

Types of Gifts: Cash grants to nonprofit groups in the area where company is
located. Gives free software to any charity that requests it through Gifts
in Kind except for local WA agencies (who should write directly to the address
above and enclose a copy of their 501(c)(3) determination letter).

Network General Corp.
Community Relations Coordinator
4200 Bohannon Dr.
Menlo Park, CA 94025
415-688-2700

Types of Gifts: Cash grants to small nonprofits providing social services in
the 25 cities where the company operates. Software donations to colleges
that are struggling financially.

Novell
Corporate Donations Coordinator
2180 Fortune Dr.
San Jose, CA 95131
408-321-1514

Types of Gifts: Provdes software to nonprofits working with low-income
people in area where company is located.

Quark
Donations Coordinator
1800 Grant St.
Denver, CO 80203
408-894-8888

Types of Gifts: Donations of software to environmental and human-rights
organizations in addition to ones that fight discrimination.

There may be additional software companies giving software at this time. It
makes sense to contact the company particularly if they are in your
geographic region. Or

CompuMentor publishes a quarterly listing of donated software packages
that are availabel for a nominal handling charge. Cost of subscription is
$15 for 4 issues. Free sample copy available. Prepaid orders only.

CompuMentor Software Catalog
Software Program
89 Stillman St.
San Francisco, CA 94107

If you receive your first software as a gift, register it and you should be
able to upgrade for minimal fees when future versions are issued.

==============================
Subject: 16. CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS FAQ DOCUMENT

The editor of SOC.ORG.NONPROFIT FAQ is Ina Frank. Suggestions and
comments for new questions, new answers, corrections and additions to
this document should be sent to her <inaf...@rain.org>.

The maintainer of the FAQ is Putnam Barber. Complete new entries (such
as the names and addresses of organizations, books to be included in the
bibliography, etc) can be sent to him, as well as comments on the general
formatting and presentation of the FAQ or ideas about how to make is more
useful to the on-line community.

The list of known contributors to the first posting of SOC.ORG.NONPROFIT
FAQ is below. Not every name was properly recorded, though, in the early
days of capturing traffic in the newsgroup. If you can help us correct
or extend this list to give fuller credit to the many people who
contribute to the field by posting here, please do.

Putnam Barber <pba...@eskimo.com>
Carol Bowles-Tyndale <car...@oldcolo.com>
James R. Caplan <capl...@servax.fiu.edu>
Jayne Cravens <Jcra...@aol.com>
Ina Frank <inaf...@rain.org>
Michael Goldstein <mgol...@capcon.net>
Madeline Gonzales <made...@SPOT.COLORADO.EDU>
Alice Hershiser <hers...@clpgh.org>
Munn Heydorn <mu...@interaccess.com>
Ping Huang <psh...@MIT.EDU>
Cliff Landesman <clan...@panix.com>
Tim Mills-Gronigner <it...@igc.apc.org>
Thomas A. Newman <new...@cobra.ordata.com>
Nancy Normen <NaA...@aol.com>
(11/2/94)

End of soc.org.nonprofits FAQ Digest Part 1/4
********************************************


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