Great news!
501c3
Amazon Pueblo is now officially a 501(c)(3) federally tax-exempt
nonprofit. My mom received our
determination letter in the mail this week, dropped it off to Julie (our secretary), who scanned
and emailed it to me in the Amazon. Thanks mom and
Julie!
I expect the designation to do a number of things for us:
1.
People who give donation can now deduct them on
their federal tax return.
2.
Certain expenses that we personally spend to
complete our mission may also be deductible.
Travel to the Amazon as a director is one thing that would be covered,
providing certain condition are met (which, if I remember correctly, are not
unreasonable).
3.
We are eligible for discount specialized nonprofit
accounting software and other programs.
4.
We are eligible to sign up with other nonprofit organizations
which offer free services (like accounting audits, website design, marketing,
and management consultation). I believe
that work-at-home volunteers may also be identified to help us with other
things.
5.
We are eligible to receive grants from the government,
other nonprofits, and foundations.
6.
We are eligible to receive discounts to grant
support services and databases.
The only downside is that we need to find the time to access
and use all of these benefits. And if we
do get a grant, that will come with another increase in work load.
Amazonian Government
This week I also received news that our grant to finish the
dock and pier was approved. The government
is also interested in working with us in the future, if everything with the
dock goes well. This offers us a big
opportunity, not just in the form of extra funds, but in the areas of legitimacy,
better access to information, and help with the project’s goals.
I expect to meet with the governor next week to sign the documents
which will permit us to work together.
Registering as the Colombian-based Fundación Amazon Pueblo was
instrumental in achieving this connection.
I will take and post a picture of the signing when it happens!
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