Because everyone reads the Pegbox...

[not telling]

Hi all, again. I am still trying to gauge the viability of an idea I have for a nonprofit organization in my community, and it still kinda depends on you lovely Maestronetters whether anything can get started within the year.

I have located supportive faculty at the University of Kansas, veteran Suzuki teachers, a vast array of enthusiastic strings pedagogy majors who are willing to be very underpaid, children in need of private music lessons, interested grant making foundations, a large space and several small rooms that can be used for free any time, a luthier (obviously), contacts from similar organizations, and so forth. That's all pretty good, I think.

While I have no idea how to apply for nonprofit status (I hear from an attorney friend that it takes many more hours than it used to), I would still like to get started. All that is missing is instruments. Tiny instruments to not-so-big instruments. Cellos, violas, and violins. Anything you might otherwise retire from your rental fleet. Anything that might be in a basement space never set up and gathering dust. That sort of thing! If I had nonprofit status for such a project, I could seek funding for new instruments, I realize, but again, that is really hard, there's no board yet for example, and also... I know that some of you throw away good fractional instruments from time to time.

Also, still looking for advice and experiences with similar organizations and startups. I know there is such a huge variety of experience and expertise here, and I'm hoping to hear a few stories and experiences.

Thanks.

[Pate Bliss]

I would probably get everything actually set up and then look for instruments last, since that would really help with finding them.

[James M. Jones]

A few points to consider..... 501c3 status is these days a lot harder to accomplish than before , I believe you need a five year track record to be accepted . You will need a fiscal receiver, an already established 501.... in order to accept any grants or donations while in start up. ...  you will need to define a board of directors , .... and their primary responsibility is to raise funds, ...... It,s absolutely best if the board members hold no paid positions, insuring degrees of separation, lots to it. Legal advice from someone familiar with non profit work is best.....when we set up ours , in talking to the IRS the agent said “remember it all comes down to the opinion of the individual case worker “ so work closely with them ask lots of questions especially ones that have to what they are looking for......love the idea, music for all....Best of luck.... 

[Julian Cossmann Cooke]

You might check in with The Open String.  They try to put instruments together with free music education program teaching underprivileged children around the world.  They made a presentation at VSA I think three years ago.  theopenstring.org