Anyone know where I can find information on such an entity? I know of the Shotokan non-profit in California, Karate for Christ and KickStart in Texas. What I am looking for specifically if anyone has any information on setting up and administering.

Thanks.

If you're talking about setting up an actual non-profit organization with by-laws and all that jazz, we have one at the school I teach at. It's a separate entity, and it is actually prohibited that any of the staff of the MA school (i.e. me) can be a part of it. We use it as support for the black belt testers (they can get fundraisers and such they wouldn't be able to as just a group, nonprofit opens a lot of doors) and to organize events for the community. We happened to have a couple lawyers on board that helped with all the necessary paperwork.

As far as the systems like KickStart in Texas, it's pretty hard to accomplish if you're a small fry. We've been in business in this town for over 20 years, we've got a couple hundred students, and whenever we have tried to start something remotely like KickStart with the schools around here (or any kind of sanctioned after school program) we get turned down. It helps if you happen to be Chuck Norris, I suppose.

You might also note that KickStart doesn't have anything to do with commercial schools, and the instructors work full time at the public schools. From the website, it costs about $180,000 every 3 years to have it at a school.

If you want to tell us exactly what you want to do (set up a non profit MA organization, join one, or set up a free MA club) I'm sure we'd be able to give you better guidance.

Organizations that you mentioned are generally set up as 501C-3 corporations.
They are very inexpensive to form, you can probably get one set up for less than $100 plus state fees. But you need to really do your homework on the accounting and reporting and how you can collect and spend money. You can get in a lot of trouble.
I know of many martial arts organizations that are set up this way. You will needed several people to act as officers and directors.

I'm sure by just googling 501C-3 you will get a lot of information. This type of incorporation is generally known as a not for profit educational organization and is not related specifically to martial arts. All sorts of organization use this.

My apologies for not being more clear in my request for assistance.

Currently we are a non-profit without the 501c3 designation. We did get a grant which our fiscal agent manages. We do charge for tuition to the school but the fee is negligible at best and only covers every day expenses (i.e.- printing cost for the manuals, hand outs, etc.). The grant allowed us to give every student a uniform and buy equipment for training (sparring gear, focus pads, mats, etc.).

My goal is to become a full non-profit subsidizing the cost of training by the students. Of course, I need to build in salaries for instructors and what not. For the record, we will NOT be holding "open" applications for those outside of our systems. Other non-profits do that. If you aren't trained in our system, you don't teach it. Nuff said.

I am currently in a 6 month course given by the Cleveland Foundation that teaches the ins and outs of non-profit creation, administration and fund raising.

I was looking for some reading materials and real life experience from anyone that has been involved with such an endeavor. The class and any information and advice given will allow us to make the final decision to be a true 501c3, join another like organization that is a non-profit or do something different.

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

Edit-I will agree that being "Chuck" helped push his idea forward, but I believe in what we want to do and feel we can make it happen.

Hasta.

Is the offer for help still on the table? I ran across the site and this post using Google. This non profit idea is something I have been thinking about for a few weeks now. Here is my situation:
I currently train at a small MMA gym that has some successful MMA and kick boxing fighters in the Cleveland area. I don't own the place, but I think the owner might be receptive to using it's name or it's facilities for something like what I am thinking of. Basically, I want to set up a non profit to operate either in the same gym (preferable) or a different facility. What I want to set this up to do, is to help get kids off the streets, or at least keep them busy by teaching them discipline and possibly getting them competitive in the amateur and pro circuits.

The gym has equipment, but would need more $$ to handle more fighters. It's possible a new location may be in order if things take off.

SNieves, are you in the Cleveland area? What exactly was your grant for? Was it related to MA? I did some investigation and couldn't find any MA specific grants in Ohio. This is one area I would definitely need help with.

I'd like to use this new organization to promote community events..MMA shows...Bike Nights..Community awareness..etc. Anything and everything to get it's name out and reach my target audience.

Also, I'm trying to see if it's possible to integrate the current MMA students into the new 501C3. Can the monthly dues they pay be considered a 'donation'? Do you HAVE to set up a board of directors? If the organization is run out of the existing gym, can it's funds be used to pay for rent? Etc

I know this is a lot to type..so I'd be open for a phone conversation or a meeting (If anyone is in the CLE area).

Thanks again.