A Nonprofit Beginning
Today’s Guest Column is from Kevin Smith.
A short while ago, I was informed by the IRS that our nonprofit, the Southern Philippine Children’s Shelter, qualified as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity. This is great news for us as we have been working a long time to see this through. We have been on hold with our activities as we waited for this confirmation. I have used this time to sort out our options as far as what kind of web site to develop. I have decided to go with a WordPress web log site because it is free and can be configured in many ways.
I’m very happy and relieved. Now the hard work begins as we set out to fulfill our mission. We have decided to have a fundraiser to help with food for Christmas in Digos, Mindanao as our first campaign. To do this, and to formally announce our nonprofit, I have just published our web site. I am still learning the ropes with WordPress but I hope to make it interesting and an informative place to visit. Another reason I made the decision to go with a WordPress blog is because I want to have ongoing communication with our donors and also it will be a good way for everyone to see how the donations are being used. I want to thank Bob here for giving me a platform on his site. So check it out and feel free to give me some feedback. Thanks
Hi Kevin - Congratulations on your new website! I wish your organization all the success!
Thanks Bob,
We’ve been real busy, lately.
Hi Keven, also from me CONGRATULATIONS. One big step further. All the best for the future. Will visit your site…
Sorry wrong spelling KEVIN!!!
Congratulations Kevin and the group….that is very good deed.
Klaus, Mady,
Thanks
Kevin
I just went to the spcshelter.org website and made a small donation. I hope others will do the same.
hi kevin –my gf is a teacher in Malungon–perhaps when you are ready to get started in digos she can be of some help to you –any way i will ask her how she would feel about getting involved with your project–she lives in digos
bubba,
Thanks. If I need her help I’ll let you know.
Not to throw cold water on good intentions, but what have you done organization wise at the Philippine end of your charity effort?
You can’t just wander around giving things away, organizing volunteers, etc. The fact that is for a good cause is one thing … for which I applaud you … but you have many a legal hurdle here in the Philippines which I haven’t seen you address. People get arrested and lailed or deported every day here in the Philippines for doing ‘work”, even volunteer work … and one of the reasons poverty is so pervasive in the Philippines is that palms often have to be greased in order to gain the right to give something away. Word to the wise.
Hi Kevin. Congratulations.
I echo Dave Starr’s comment above. As you may know, Americans are now very cautious in giving to “charities”. Heck, even Bill Gates is very meticulous in making sure every cents of his billions in his foundation are well accounted for.
Anyway, I’m hopeful you will succesfully tackle the organizational hurdle. Like everything, the devil is in the detail.
Good luck and again congratulations.
Dave,
Thanks for the comment. We’re just starting small and we’ll learn as we go. I think that would be the wise thing to do. I’m fully expecting problems and challenges in the future but we’ll cross those bridges when we get there. I don’t think we’re “wandering around” as we have a good plan and I’m willing to make adjustments at any time. Have a nice day.
Dr. Long,
Thanks for the comment. Yes, the devil is in the details. and I spend a lot of time planning and working with the details. Take care.
Hi Kevin, I give you a big hand of applause. Of course, in the Philippines are many hurdles. But even we didn’t know each other personally yet, I do feel your power to go on. I wish you luck. God bless.
Hi Kevin.
I didn’t know you are running an nonprofit organization.
To tell the truth, I also belong to a specilized nonprofit corporation which dispatched me to a college in Davao City.
I think we can help each other by sharing information, and etc.
Anyway, Conglaturations!!!
Hi Kevin,
Good job. I can help you tweak your WordPress for FREE — on my free time, of course. I’ve met Bob Martin before, so you can ask him about me.
Carlos
Ichi,
Sorry so long for a reply. I agree, we should get together sometime. We have a lot in common. We’re coming over next summer from late June to August and we will be going through Davao. I would like to get together with you and some of the others here at Bob’s site. Keep in touch.
Carlos,
Thank you for the kind offer. I may take you up on that. Can we contact each other in private?