will i be breaking the law???

[ewaste]

here is my situation. I am trying to start a business that I would like to turn not for profit with subsidiaries related to it that are for profit...the situation being that i recycle scrap and a portion of the scrap proceeds (say 20%) going to help the local low income kids in the school system, more if I can afford it; and then the stuff that is resold donate a percentage of that plus donate some items if needed. I will have expenses for this operation coming out and I would also like for my family to be able to make a living or not starve to death. some of my contracts are expecting me to give them 100% of all income that i recieve. what do I need to do without someone screaming phoney. I seriously am trying to honestly help the environment, schools, and my family at the same time. I am also working with the community on a program to help area teens recieve a christmas.
this is the beginning stages of my business venture so i want to do things very professionally, and keep my good name in the community so I will be able to help many.
could anyone guide me please?
sincerely,
ewaste

[JLeezer]

What is your desire to make it a non-profit? I'd make it for-profit and publicize how much you give away to specific causes. If you have too many family members and friends with their hands in your "charity" it will severely discredit you, even if they deserve to be paid what they are paid.

[ewaste]

this is my whole situation. like i said, it is e-waste. I went to ppl in the garbage area and told them I wanted to remove elec. scrap from the landfill and centers and recycle with SOME of the money going to the low income students for required books they have to buy, and if I had any extra left after that, to more school programs. they said as long as I didn't retire off what i got (garbage) it was fine. I went and told the superintendent my idea, getting their used electronics to recycle and giving them back SOME of the money and the guy saw $$$ and thinks he will get all of it. I am putting myself out there to make a living and help where I can, it will be a business, and there are other businesses that branch from the scrap such as reselling the electronics that work. this money I plan to keep to grow the business BUT if asked (by someone in need) I have NO hesitation in giving them any product i may have that they could use. So far, I have flyers, advertising, and my gas and since this is a fairly new idea, I have 3 weeks of 14 hour days and 7 day week work into studying the benefits of this business, and the possible profits and the expenses(which these guys are not taking into account)
I WILL help who I can, where I can, but I have to make a living too.

So I just need to make these ppl understand that it is FOR profit, that I will get paid from it, but I promise I will help them...correct???
thanks so much for your reply, my hubbie is worried i'll get 15 years.
sincerely,
ewaste

[Doodyps]

well, imo, the best way to help people is to make as much money as possible. Like you said, you will need to save a good amount to grow the business. Makes sense. You will also be making some sort of salary...makes sense. Why insist on it being a non-profit? I'm not speaking in legal terms, but if you really think about what a non-profit is or should be, its a small business that has limited itself greatly from expanding and making money. If you really care about HELPING people and not just an image of helping or recognition, make it a FOR PROFIT company and work your butt off to make as much money as possible. Then, you have more to help people with...and hey, you even pay taxes, which helps the economy, and you may grow large enough to hire extra people, thereby creating jobs for the people you want to help, makeing fewer people need your help to begin with. S get greedy and work your butt off...then do wonderful things with the money you made. Its a good idea. I feel like lots of people have thought about doing it or something similiar, so bless you for actually DOING it. good luck

[ewaste]

I really appreciate the vote of confidence from you guys and I will do my best to make it work out. I wasn't sure about the non-profit, every one i'm getting contracts as i stated were kinda wanting it to go that way. ps. i got a call earlier from a socially conscious friend of mine in the county who is looking for someone to run and replace some of the yes men on the school board who give the crooked superintendent that i was talking about what he wants. should i at this early stage throw my hat in???(i know totally off subject)
ewaste