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| Anti-Human Trafficking Org needs advice
Posted by stophumantrafficking   on 1/28/2011, 1:59 pm
I wanted to reach out to see if you can assist us with this question.
We are a not-for-profit organization that combats human trafficking. We are a little different than most HT Organizations. Almost all HT orgs focus on awareness, education and/or aid to victims after they have gotten out of their situation. Our founder, after working with Law Enforcement Task Forces for many years as an independent PI, recognized a need for a more proactive organization. Law Enforcement is often under trained in HT and is often crippled by jurisdiction, politics and rules of engagement, to the point where most HT investigations are looked at as a time consuming, resource draining exercise that yield little results.
As a private organization we have more freedom to investigate, rescue and aid victims worldwide. We know of only one other organization that takes this proactive approach. As you can imagine this is a very dangerous, but sorely needed organization and we are greeted with open arms by every group we encounter, from Law Enforcement, to governmental, to other HT organizations. Our Founder has 20 rescues to date.
We were in the process of receiving our 501(c)(3). We were just informed that the IRS has reclassified us as a 501(c)(4). Obviously, we are privately funded and rely on the donations of cash and services to support our efforts as we expand into larger operations. In my research of a 501(c)(4) it seems that it is set up more for political Action, Lobbyists and community educational groups. We have no political aspirations and the only education we have even "thought" about is a simple seminar on the signs of Human Trafficking for First Responders. This is more of an investigative tool to gain information on investigation leads than an educational effort. What is troubling is we do not fit the definition of a 501(c)(4). As I understand it, donations are not deductible and could be subject to a gift tax, which would be crippling to the growth of an organization like ours. Apparently, there are ways to accept charitable and deductible donations even with a 501(c)(4), but the process seems additionally complicated and time consuming, for which we do not have the time or resources. We are a small organization just beginning to grow. Every dollar we spend on things other than training and resources means one victim we may not be able to retrieve or one of our people being hurt.
I'm asking for some advice as to how we should proceed. Should we petition the IRS to be classified as a 501(c)(3)? We are 6 months into the process and with this new delay, are no closer to our 501(c). We are told that an IRS agent will not even be assigned for another 5 months to investigate the 501(c)(4).
In the mean time our hands are tied. Help.
www.stoptraffickingnow.org
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Will Metis, EPS, HTS
Strategic Liaison
Breaking Out Foundation
www.stoptraffickingnow.org
+1 877 562 3885
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