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Pittsburgh, PA

I'm looking for help figuring out what needs done to obtain nonprofit status for Giant Pumpkin Clubs. Are all the clubs run as nonprofits?

I want to try and procure sponsors for my club but we are not setup as a nonprofit so any businesses that donate will not be able to write off the donation as a tax deduction.

If anybody out in Pumpkinworld can offer me advice or suggestions, I would greatly appreciate the help. My email is jayyohe@yahoo.com

Thanks so much

1/14/2020 9:45:57 AM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Hey Jay, it’s really not a simple process and is different in every State and Province it seems. It is especially difficult for small clubs and organizations and simply not worth the time and effort it takes.

Here is a good place to start. Good luck.

https://pano.org/starting-a-nonprofit-organization-in-pennsylvania/

https://www.dos.pa.gov/BusinessCharities/Business/Resources/Pages/Pennsylvania-Nonprofit-Corporations-.aspx

1/14/2020 11:43:43 PM

Pittsburgh, PA

Thanks NSB - Yes from the Google searches I have done I am thinking the same thing. Not worth the time or effort.

I guess my next question would be how do you approach potential sponsors since they can not use the donation as a tax write off?

1/15/2020 9:19:39 AM

Upper Strasburg, PA

Our past sponsors, Ironite & Fertrell, probably figured the sponsorship was an advertising expense. I was thinking a lot about this same thing a couple of months ago. There are a couple of iconic Pennsylvania businesses to reach out to and I was also thinking that maybe a local car dealership might like to put a new truck in the lot with a giant pumpkin in the bed. It would be nice to get some additional sponsors to help us put on a nice show this year, which will be the 25th anniversary of the Altoona weigh-off

1/15/2020 12:44:25 PM

Sault Ste Marie, MI 49783

Hi Jay our club here in Michigans U.P went through a similar deal. Many businesses suggested if we were a nonprofit organization they would be willing to donate and they could write it off. So we went through the process of filing a 501 c 3 to become a nonprofit which took about 4 to 6 months. After becoming a nonprofit went back to these businesses with no luck getting any donations. Just my experience but best of luck to you.

1/15/2020 4:19:58 PM

Grittyville, WA

Ouch... Guess they weren't completely sincere. Seems like they could write off a promo product as an advertizing expense. Not to side track to far but our local ford dealer was super paranoid about attracting mice to their car lot. Thats why they didnt want a pumpkin anywhere near their trucks. I guess then my truck is due for some squeeky trouble of the non-mechanical kind.

1/16/2020 12:34:22 AM

Pittsburgh, PA

Thanks for the replies. Greatly appreciated.

1/16/2020 7:04:58 PM

Lakewood, WA

Well-known businesses can receive many requests every day for charitable donations, far more than they can ever afford to donate to. Sometimes there are more charitable requestors than customers. Sorry you received the insincere treatment, Glenninthesoo!

1/16/2020 7:26:17 PM

Sault Ste Marie, MI 49783

Not a big deal Suburban but it was a learning lesson!

1/17/2020 5:29:21 PM