I was recently elected to the board of a garden railroad club and asked to investigate changing the structure to a non-profit corporation 501(c)3. The club was originally set up as a for-profit corporation to host an event in our area, but we now feel that this status is hampering our access to public facilities. We would like to setup a permanent garden railroad in conjunction with one of the local museums or parks and do not think we can do this as a for-profit corporation.
All suggestions and advice would be appreciated
Your situation may be different, but all we had to do was get a free IRS Employer Identification Number (EIN) and register with the State of Arizona Corporation Commission as a non-profit organization..
Going the IRS 501(c)3 route would have cost something like $75 annually, which we can not afford since we don't make or sell anything.
You might talk to one of the more active clubs for advice. For instance, the Bay Area GRS (BAGRS), according to their website, is a 501c(7) not-for-profit social club. They used to have a permanent railroad at a garden center, but I'm not sure if they still do.
I am not sure of the Denver GRS's status, but they have long maintained a garden railway at the Railway Museum in Golden.
Rene Schweitzer
Classic Toy Trains/Garden Railways/Model Railroader
Thank you. I've contacted the San Diego Garden Railroad Society and received some information from their president, they maintain a garden railroad at the San Diego Botanical Garden. I will follow up on your other suggestions.
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