Q: I am considering starting a campaign online to raise money for multiple charities.
I am considering starting a campaign online to raise money for multiple charities. My thought is a website allowing small donations into a bank account kept separate for just the campaign proceeds. The website will have a poll where visitors vote to decide what charities get the donations. All proceeds go to the top 5 or 10 charities. Is this legal for me to do? Would it require any costly registrations?
A: The idea is possible, but the legal requirements and costs will vary based on your plan. I suggest that you create a firmer plan and then consult with a business attorney. The costs for a basic campaign could be as little as a few hundred dollars (not including legal fees) to several thousand dollars (full incorporation as a non-profit).
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