Starting a Charity, paperwork ect.

[Doodyps]

So I have had an idea for a very low cost charity that I think can make a small positive difference in many people's lives for minimal capital and time. I've started to print out the paper work to file with the Sec. of State and get tax exempt status. I've run into one problem though.

From my understanding of the forms, I HAVE to have an office address. I could use my home as the office, but then that address ends up as public info which I would prefer to avoid. What do I do about this? The whole idea of my charity is that it could do a decent amount for people with about $500 a month, but I don't want to have to raise $2k a month just to pay rent and utilities. I don't think I would have a problem raising 10's of thousands of dollars over about a year, but it would really bother and deter me to know that a large amount of that was going to rent. Later, if my charity gets established and more organized, I wouldn't mind renting, but so early on I want to be able to effect change with as little money as possible and see how everything works. Experiment with it.

I do have possible solutions to this. My uncle owns a large company, and I believe he owns the building they operate in. So I may be able to get a small space in his building. I'd prefer to do as much as possible on my own without help like that. Obviously I'll solicit donations, but I want to test my metal when it comes to organizing and setting this thing up.

Also, I have one alterior motive for starting this charity. I want to help people and I've settled on this as the best way I can do something for now, but I also want the experience of creating something. I would like to start my own business someday, but I have so many other things I want to do before that. I feel like starting a charity and running it with 2 other people would give me a chance to continue working and doing other things I want to do while gaining experience in management and organizing. Is that misguided? I mean, I would get to chose what kind of time commitment this turns out being right? Is this thing going to end up swamping me and stressing me out? Anyone here ever start a charity from scratch?

[Pwdrin]

I would just recommend using that office, there will be no need to pay your Uncle as it is a charity, but you would be able to take it out to.

[pvenero]

You shouldn't have anything to worry about. Register a PO Box for the main mailing address. Use your home office address only for your bank and business registration. All others should be directed to the PO Box (mailing address).

In regards to your other question, I don't think that's misguided at all. It's all about gaining experience which ever way possible. You have to walk before you're able to run. You won't be able to run until you try.

I'd like to hear mode about your charity and happy to provide other ways to help if I could. Feel free to PM me and best of luck with this endeavour.