So it's that time in the military where all these nut job non-profit orgs come grubbing for money. For those that aren't familiar...In order to keep orgs from soliciting money while us government employees are trying to work hard, there is a program where these orgs get listed in a big booklet, and we have the "opportunity" to donate a portion of our pay checks to them once a year. Now there are some real wacky non-profits out there, and an endless stream of "protect my transgender friend" organizations...and every year I almost donate to the zero-population growth orgs, but theres something fishy about them.
The long and short of it, I can't find any of our duner orgs in there??? Is the ASA, Duners, Off Road Coalition, not non-profit organizations? I sure as shiat can donate my check to the Sierra Club...why not their opposition. I suspect its because nobody has thought to fill out the paper work and apply.
The potential revenue is significant. There is a general slush fund for people that just willy nilly throw money at this without specifying a group, and that money is then divided proportionally to groups by the number of specific donors they get. There is a considerable presence of military in glamis on any given weekend, hell over a dozen I camp with alone, not to mention those that are stationed elsewhere currently dreaming of the day they can come back.
Granted there is a process to being listed, an organization must pass some minimum requirements, which I'll try to find...The one that comes immediately to mind is that less than 25% of the income be spent on administration and what not...unless a waiver is submitted stating the extinuating circumstances (if the ASA fails this I think alot of people would be interested to know why)...but really, some of the groups listed in this thing are ridiculous, and not nearly as organized as the ASA is...certainly we could put the added revenue to good use...a bunch of Bugs comes to mind...its too late for this year...but just right for next.
If someone knows more about this than I do...being a command coordinator for a year lends itself to just enough info to be dangerous, please speak up....
I was just wondering if this was a means that has been looked into over at other groups???? Vicki???
Thanks,
Geoff
Full Version: Why Isn't The Asa In My Cfc Brochure?
Awesome idea!!! I agree.
I will bring it up at our next Endowment Committee call this week, and get back to you!!!!
Thanks a lot!!!!
I will bring it up at our next Endowment Committee call this week, and get back to you!!!!
Thanks a lot!!!!
Here's the website for the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC).
Home page
http://www.opm.gov/cfc/.
Requirements to be listed page
http://www.opm.gov/cfc/opmmemos/2004/2004-11.asp
and listed organizations that you can donate to page.
http://apps.opm.gov/cfcresults/nualist.cfm.
I did have to look and make sure that the CBD wasn't in there. Bastards.
Good catch Stumblin...maybe next year I'll actually donate to CFC
Home page
http://www.opm.gov/cfc/.
Requirements to be listed page
http://www.opm.gov/cfc/opmmemos/2004/2004-11.asp
and listed organizations that you can donate to page.
http://apps.opm.gov/cfcresults/nualist.cfm.
I did have to look and make sure that the CBD wasn't in there. Bastards.
Good catch Stumblin...maybe next year I'll actually donate to CFC
It might do better to ask this question on the ASA BBS
| QUOTE (Stumblin @ Dec 7 2004, 05:37 PM) |
| The long and short of it, I can't find any of our duner orgs in there??? Is the ASA, Duners, Off Road Coalition, not non-profit organizations? I sure as shiat can donate my check to the Sierra Club...why not their opposition. I suspect its because nobody has thought to fill out the paper work and apply. |
I would suspect that what you suspect is quite right
The Nature Conservancy never misses an opportunity to do things like this, that's for sure.
Vicki
I'll bet most of the anti-access organizations would never make it past this rule...
| QUOTE |
| Administrative and Fundraising Rate Exceeding 25% Explanation and Formal Plan The CFC regulations at 5 CFR §950.203(a)(4)(i) require that organizations with administrative and fundraising rates (AFR) exceeding 25% provide, as Attachment F, an explanation and formal plan to reduce these expenses below 25%. The explanation must include a full discussion of the reason(s) that the organization's AFR exceeded 25%. The formal plan for reducing the AFR must relate to the explanation and must be reasonable under the circumstances. The formal plan must demonstrate that the organization has established a clear objective(s) as to how to reduce the AFR, and has taken steps to implement the objective. The plan should include the time frame during which it is anticipated that an AFR below 25% will be obtained. |
Vicki
I don't post over in the ASA site...and I'm not about to make my first post that statement above...
I've always wondered how much of the eco-nazi's organizations really qualify for non-profit by the true definition(s)...but they're good enough to get past the bean counters responsible for this program...cause there is a whole host of them in my little booklet.
Reading through the requirements it would seem the ASA can easily qualify as a local organization, and if they take in under $100k it's even easier...
If the Sierra Club (eco-terrorists that they are) can qualify, certainly we could...right???
I've always wondered how much of the eco-nazi's organizations really qualify for non-profit by the true definition(s)...but they're good enough to get past the bean counters responsible for this program...cause there is a whole host of them in my little booklet.
Reading through the requirements it would seem the ASA can easily qualify as a local organization, and if they take in under $100k it's even easier...
If the Sierra Club (eco-terrorists that they are) can qualify, certainly we could...right???
I wonder if they actually enforce that requirement...as the Sierra Club almost certinaly does not meet it - unless they have the exception.
One question is what kind of non-profit status is required. The ASA is 501c4 which allows them to lobby congress and other law making bodies...but limits some of the ways they can fundraise (no tax writeoffs for donations for example.)
As for your post as a first post on the ASA board - I personally wish more people would make first posts with good positive ideas like that!
One question is what kind of non-profit status is required. The ASA is 501c4 which allows them to lobby congress and other law making bodies...but limits some of the ways they can fundraise (no tax writeoffs for donations for example.)
As for your post as a first post on the ASA board - I personally wish more people would make first posts with good positive ideas like that!
I think it's a great idea too. I'd be more than happy to do a cfc to the ASA if it were part of the program. And I agree..why not have some pro off road orgs to balance out the econuts.
Had a chance to read the requirements today...and ASA is not eligible for several reasons. The most obvious being:
| QUOTE |
Every CFC applicant must certify that it is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as tax-exempt under 26 U.S.C. 501©(3) and to which contributions are tax-deductible pursuant to 26 U.S.C. 170. A copy of the letter from the IRS granting 501©(3) tax-exempt status must be included with the application. A local organization that is covered by a central parent organization's tax-exemption must submit an IRS group exemption letter that specifies that all affiliated subordinate organizations under its control are also considered tax-exempt under 26 U.S.C. 501©(3). Submission of an IRS letter for the parent organization that is not a group exemption letter is not acceptable and will result in a denial of the local subordinate organization. It is not acceptable to submit a letter from the parent organization stating that its subordinates or affiliates are included in or covered by the IRS exemption. This type of evidence is not considered independent evidence of the IRS's group exemption determination. |
As I mentioned the ASA is 501©(4) not ©(3) which is why they were able to retain a lobbyist and act as lobbyists directly when visiting sacramento and washington.
The other gotcha which would appear to rule out any of the pro-access orgs I'm aware of is:
| QUOTE |
Web-based Services CFC applicant organizations which rely substantially on web-based services must comply with the local eligibility and public accountability standards at 5 CFR §950.204. Substantial Local Presence CFC regulation 5 CFR § 950.204(  (1)(i) defines substantial local presence as a staffed facility, office or portion of a residence dedicated exclusively to that organization, available to members of the public seeking its services or benefits. It is the responsibility of the applicant, whether it is an unaffiliated organization or a federation, to submit complete and accurate information to the LFCC. This includes the provision of a physical street address, hours of operation, and the organization's dedicated phone number. |
So even if they're primarially based on-line they're still required to keep a staffed office available to members of the public. I don't know of any pro-access orgs who have money to burn on that
The no more than 25% spend on administration is kind of interesting and I highly suspect that based on their performance many of the green groups would fail if their books were carefully examined. Afterall if you look at how much they actually spend on their goals it's surprisingly little compared to how much they take in:
It's a long read (and slightly off topic here) but a link well worth repeating for anyone who hasn't read it before:
http://www.sacbee.com/static/archive/news/...nt/index02.html
Actually...this question has been asked before. I raised this issue several times...each time about the CFC campaign came up.
And for the qualifications....there are a few orgs that qualified that defy the rulings...
Can't we turn Grant's and Vicki's offices into 'staffed positions?
Hee...time to make every effort to collect funds and turn the tide
And for the qualifications....there are a few orgs that qualified that defy the rulings...
Can't we turn Grant's and Vicki's offices into 'staffed positions?
Hee...time to make every effort to collect funds and turn the tide
Well jhitesma, that is certinly the kind of answer I was looking for...not really the one I wanted to hear...but that IRS tax-exempt code is gonna be real hard to get around I imagine. There has to be more ways to raise money though?!?
We could all revert back to our elementary school days and start selling candy door-to-door again...Crash looks pretty good in a Girl Scout unifrom...or so I've been told
We could all revert back to our elementary school days and start selling candy door-to-door again...Crash looks pretty good in a Girl Scout unifrom...or so I've been told
Here's an Idea
Have a monthly gathering Kind of like the Funco Regatta,
sell tickets for a BBQ have a few games, POKER RUN, Blind man rally, kids game,
one day event, Dance party Sat night, ect
Do raffle for some Trinkets,
Promote Awareness, Dune etiquette, Safety, Closers Impacts, clean-ups, ect.
Maybe a joint effort between Duners & ASA, show unity between the orgs, present a united front, Get some good PR invite local rags
split the profits between the orgs
Have a monthly gathering Kind of like the Funco Regatta,
sell tickets for a BBQ have a few games, POKER RUN, Blind man rally, kids game,
one day event, Dance party Sat night, ect
Do raffle for some Trinkets,
Promote Awareness, Dune etiquette, Safety, Closers Impacts, clean-ups, ect.
Maybe a joint effort between Duners & ASA, show unity between the orgs, present a united front, Get some good PR invite local rags
split the profits between the orgs
Yeah, see that sounds feasible...err, mostly I guess...you'd need some kind of committee to split the work load up of organizing/running it.
Once a month might be too difficult...but 2-3 times a season wouldn't be bad...
The big problem is that anyone that is likely to sack up and donate their time, has already done so and is swamped with stuff and not looking to take on anymore thankless tasks.
Which leaves....well us I guess.
Once a month might be too difficult...but 2-3 times a season wouldn't be bad...
The big problem is that anyone that is likely to sack up and donate their time, has already done so and is swamped with stuff and not looking to take on anymore thankless tasks.
Which leaves....well us I guess.
The ASA has and will continue to hold meetings whenever a place is available and a volunteer steps up to organize them. The meetings I have included usually include door prizes, somtimes raffles, BBQ's, plenty of chances to donate if you wish and some VERY informative discussions and presentations. They're usually hosted by companies who are involved in the dunes so there are lots of toys and other interesting things to look at while wandering around.
If you're interested in getting one going in your area contact your states "Event Coordinator" who you can find on the ASA's Committe page here:
http://www.americansandassociation.org/committees/index.html
If you're interested in getting one going in your area contact your states "Event Coordinator" who you can find on the ASA's Committe page here:
http://www.americansandassociation.org/committees/index.html
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