I want to raise funds for an orphanage?

Who do I talk to if I want to have a fundraiser to raise funds for a community of people.?

• We are not a non-profit or a religious org. We are just a community of people who want to raise money to buy land. We realize that we need to be registered in some way to have a fundraiser but I'm not sure what kind of professional can help me out to make everything legal. Financial advisor? What do you think

• Answer:

  Because you're not a non-profit, you won't be able to get tax-free exemptions. 1) Decide what sort of event you want to do--walk/run, charity auction, raffle, etc. Decide and decide where and when. 2) Wherever you do it, contact the people in charge. Are you having a walk at a high school? Contact the high school. Also contact the newspaper and make contacts. 3) Start fundraising ASAP. Call around and explain your mission. Even if you get turned down, don't give up. Create a letter head and send out about 200 letters to a 200 businesses. Aim large--some companies will give if you just ask. Also don't be afraid of calling. 4) Are you going to have shirts? Talk with a shirt-printing company and arrange for some sort of discounts. 5) Talk to insurence companies about how to insure your event, especially if it has to do with walking/running. 6) Create brochures and get the word out. Those contacts will come in handy. Don't forget schools around the area, even colleges. You never know who would be interested. 7) Contact area food vendors who may be willing to supply to event with breakfast or snack items to little to no cost. 8) Go to a local non-profit organization and ask them for the local rules and regulations.