Many US local Homeschool support groups have obtained the federally recognized 501c(3) status as a non profit organizations and can use fundraising dollars and even accept sponsorships and donations in order to support the educational needs of their members.
According to the Internal Revenue Service Exemption Requirements for Section 501c(3), a charitable organization may not lobby for legislation, so many statewide support groups are ineligible for nonprofit status. Local support groups and their members benefit greatly when recognized as a nonprofit, in that the group can bring in money via fundraisers and donations, without being taxed. In addition, nonprofit organizations can provide members with curricula for co-op classes, sponsor scholarships and missions or spend the money on other board-approved, legal purposes allowed by the IRS.
Fundraising Events for Homeschoolers
Religious homeschool support groups may want to spend the year creating gift quality artwork in a co-op art class to sell at a Christmas bazaar. Families can host a bake sale and present a spaghetti dinner in order to boost the attendance. A gift wrapping table and live performances of worship music from homeschooled musicians are nice additions to a holiday fundraising program.
A family fun carnival is another fun homeschool fundraising event. Imagine several families setting up carnival-style games in each "booth." When guests enter, they purchase tickets in order to play the games. Don't forget the popcorn and cotton candy, a snack table is another way to bring in money for homeschool groups at a family fun carnival. If the carnival is held at a facility with a kitchen, consider serving hot dogs or corn on the cob, too.
A fresh flower fundraiser is a good way to beautify the community and spread smiles. Members sell coupons for a fresh flower bouquet to be delivered at some point during the summer. Coupons can be bought by other families, by businesses or as gifts, to a nursing home, a child care center, a hair salon or a church. As flowers bloom, volunteer member-families with gardens can cut them from their personal garden and deliver them. Perhaps a local nursery or flower shop can provide supplemental flowers if the backyard garden varieties look slim.
Planning Homeschool Support Group Fundraisers
Several companies specialize in helping schools, youth groups and churches plan fundraisers. One bit of advice that's generally helpful is to set a goal before the fundraiser begins. Figure out why the fundraiser will be held. Is it to fund a scholarship for graduating seniors? Is it to fund a field trip to the zoo? Is it to reduce the cost of curriculum for a co-op? Is it to send the volunteers our to dinner as a thank-you present? Is it to sponsor the membership dues of a family who can't afford to join? Is it to send leadership to a conference? Having a solid goal helps generate enthusiasm for the fundraiser and also helps organizers plan for success.
A great number of homeschooling families are left to finance the education of their children without financial help from local school districts. Other families, even when schools offer curricula and other resources, are wary of getting involved in government programs. A nonprofit homeschool support group can help share the burden of financing a home-based education, without requiring families to share personal information about their children. Additionally, the group doesn't pay taxes on the income and donors can write off their donation.
Consult an accountant or tax attorney to be sure that the board is handling the exchange of funds in a way that doesn't jeopardize the organization's exemption. For example, in order to claim a tax deduction for any donation, the donor may not receive anything in exchange for the donation.
Lisa Russell - Lisa Russell is a freelance writer and mom of six daughters. She blogs about their life at lisarussell.org
