Yes, you can pay yourself a salary or stipend. This goes for staff, interns, consultants, and contractors, as well. This is perfectly legitimate within nonprofit work. However, for every group the picture is different. It is usually not appropriate for a project's entire budget to be directed toward salaries. There are always office and field expenses entailed in carrying out a humanitarian / ecological project.
IHCenter monitors the paying of salaries to be sure that it is commensurate with the project work.
No. The IHCenter Board of Directors becomes the de facto Board for all IHCenter projects. This is due to the fact that every member project is technically an activity of IHCenter. Groups do not have a legal identity outside of IHCenter. However, all projects are encouraged - though not required - to form an advisory board. This helps in project efficiency, community visibility, and in the 'spinning off' process.
Absolutely. Collaboration is always encouraged, and is a decision every group must make independently. Contact information for active groups is listed on the IHCenter website. Feel free to get in touch with any project that you feel could augment your work, and vice versa.
This is an important issue, and needs to be understood. Any tangible product (book, film, video, manuscript) that is produced with funds from the public realm, i.e. via a public charity such as IHCenter, is technically owned by the charity. It is strictly a legal issue. It is useful to keep in mind that every IHCenter project is afforded the recognized nonprofit status of IHCenter, and empowered to seek tax-deductible donations, only through its affiliation with IHCenter.
IHC does not act in a proprietary manner with any group's assets. There will never be an issue of IHCenter exercising creative control over your productions (unless it violates federal or state nonprofit guidelines). When a project spins off, all assets created during a project's tenure are granted to the project.
Projects are free to negotiate contracts for services rendered by businesses or individuals. However, there is no debt financing allowed in IHCenter. When signing a contract for a service, the project must have available funds to pay for said service. If a contract for any amount is over and above a group's normal operating level, the IHCenter office must first approve it.
In some instances, a group may find it necessary to purchase or lease expensive items that are crucial to their activities. Automobiles and computers are the most frequent large needs, though the possibilities are limitless. When arranging for payment, all such purchases and leases need to be executed by an individual associated with the group, not by the IHCenter office. IHCenter must never be listed as payee or lessee on any contracts. Please contact the office if clarification is needed.
No project is required to spend any particular length of time with IHCenter. You can begin to seek independent status at any point that you and your advisory board feel ready. Spinning off is easy and efficient, and is handled on a case-by-case basis.
No, what IHCenter does provide is the initial nonprofit status under our auspices. We can provide guidance and advice on seeking independent nonprofit status, but each project that chooses this route must be ready to handle the myriad of paperwork involved on their own. This is where an advisory board and/or core group of supporters can help tremendously.
The best place to start is the Member Groups section on IHCenter's website, at www.ihcenter.org. If you are still unsure, or would like to discuss a certain issue, the best option is to contact us directly. A quick telephone call or email to apply@ihcenter.org is the best way of getting in touch with us.
No, all revenue and disbursements must be processed through the IHCenter Projects bank account. This ensures that every group's financial picture remains up-to-date, as well as ensuring that all monetary activity under IHCenter's auspices meets with acceptable 501[c](3) guidelines.
Projects who wish to have a project bank account separate from their personal finances may do so as long as the bank account is linked to an individual's social security number. Projects are strictly forbidden from opening bank accounts using IHCenter's tax ID number. Please contact the office if clarification is needed.
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Modified: 2005-11-07