Next Question
RSS
If your goal is to "make as much money as possible", even with caveats about not compromising services, it's unlikely that being a non-profit would be suitable.
The laws may vary depending on exactly where you are, but some of the following are likely to apply
- The non-profit must have a clearly defined purpose which is about doing good to some well-defined group or cause
- It cannot turn a profit, and all money it brings in must be used to pursue its mission, and serve whoever it is intended to serve
- It can pay staff, and you could be those staff. However ultimate control rests with a board, and the board is almost always *unpaid*. If the board members are paid more than minimally, your non-profit status may be called into question. Paid staff members may not be allowed to be full board members.
- Your freedom to vary what you do may be limited. Companies are free to pursue whatever opportunities they see, or to drop what it not working. Non-profits have to stay on their declared mission.
There's some quite good info here:
http://nonprofit.about.com/od/nonprofitbasics/a/qandastartnonpr.htm
Helpful Answer?
(4)
(0)
Permalink |
Report
The design of the venusarms.com page was interesting, if a little jarring. But it grew on me. The other pages did not.
As I explored farther, I decided that what was bothering me was the colors. I was using Firefox. The red and black plus the way that the site was designed did not make me think of an art site. It seemed like the colors of a cult site. (demonic). I think that the red might stay if the black was changed, but the venusarms.com page was arty and soothing.
For a sec or two, I did not realize how to register. Putting the words login and register in different colors might be easier for the novice.
After registering, I wanted to go back to venusarms.com but I could not figure out how to do so without changing the url in the address box.
I liked the interview with Stan Sakai. It seems like you might be in to that kind of stuff. I wonder if you could link with Hulu? The Naruto Shippuden page at viz.com might be a good place to link to.
I liked the stuff about the Katana.
You have done a lot of work, and I think that you should stay with a profit making enterprise. You need to attract artists, but I suppose that you know that.
Good Luck, and I will check back now and then at your site.
Permalink | Report
Answered Question
M$3
May 23, 2009 10:54 PM
Non-profit versus for profit. What's best for us?
Our goal is to turn our site into a successful resource for artists/art lovers, and to make as much money as we can without compromising our services. We could get more accomplished with funding and have been told as a non-profit we could seek donations relatively easily. We are artists not businessmen, so we don't really know the difference in terms of how becoming a non-profit is limiting. What should we take into account when making this decision?
- In Business Entrepreneurship |
- |
- Report |
-
Share
RSS
Best Answer Chosen by Asker
| May 23, 2009 11:17 PM |
The laws may vary depending on exactly where you are, but some of the following are likely to apply
- The non-profit must have a clearly defined purpose which is about doing good to some well-defined group or cause
- It cannot turn a profit, and all money it brings in must be used to pursue its mission, and serve whoever it is intended to serve
- It can pay staff, and you could be those staff. However ultimate control rests with a board, and the board is almost always *unpaid*. If the board members are paid more than minimally, your non-profit status may be called into question. Paid staff members may not be allowed to be full board members.
- Your freedom to vary what you do may be limited. Companies are free to pursue whatever opportunities they see, or to drop what it not working. Non-profits have to stay on their declared mission.
There's some quite good info here:
http://nonprofit.about.com/od/nonprofitbasics/a/qandastartnonpr.htm
| Asker's Rating: |
• Great answer and link. Thanks Philipy!
Helpful Answer?
(4)
(0)
Helpful: venusarms, morriss003, easyeboy, robbrown
Tip philipy for this answer
Reply
Other Answers (2)
May 24, 2009 12:35 AM
I went to your site and registered and looked around. Here is what I thought. The design of the venusarms.com page was interesting, if a little jarring. But it grew on me. The other pages did not.
As I explored farther, I decided that what was bothering me was the colors. I was using Firefox. The red and black plus the way that the site was designed did not make me think of an art site. It seemed like the colors of a cult site. (demonic). I think that the red might stay if the black was changed, but the venusarms.com page was arty and soothing.
For a sec or two, I did not realize how to register. Putting the words login and register in different colors might be easier for the novice.
After registering, I wanted to go back to venusarms.com but I could not figure out how to do so without changing the url in the address box.
I liked the interview with Stan Sakai. It seems like you might be in to that kind of stuff. I wonder if you could link with Hulu? The Naruto Shippuden page at viz.com might be a good place to link to.
I liked the stuff about the Katana.
You have done a lot of work, and I think that you should stay with a profit making enterprise. You need to attract artists, but I suppose that you know that.
Good Luck, and I will check back now and then at your site.
Permalink | Report
Reply
May 24, 2009 01:32 AM
Thank you. Our overall appearance and functionality need a lot of work but we are learning and trying to get more people involved with more skills to improve look and function. I appreciate you suggestions and taking the time to check us out.
Report
Answer this Question
Related Questions
Ask a Question
Buy Mahalo Dollars with Credit Card or PayPal
Top Members
Most Popular Tags
Categories
- Anonymous
-
Arts & Design
-
Beauty & Style
-
Books & Authors
-
Business
-
Cars & Transportation
-
Consumer Electronics
- Coupons Deals
-
Education
-
Entertainment
-
Environment
-
Fitness
-
Food & Drink
- From Email
- From Iphone
- From Twitter
-
Health
-
History
-
Hobbies
-
Home & Garden
-
How Tos
-
Humor
-
Jobs
-
Legal
-
Local
-
Love & Relationships
-
Mahalo Answers Community
-
Money
-
Music
-
News
-
NSFW
-
Parenting
-
Pets
-
Science & Mathematics
-
Services
-
Shopping
-
Social Science
-
Society & Culture
-
Sports
-
Technology & Internet
-
Travel
-
Video Games
Welcome New Members
- chrisfuentes1, November 25, 2009 07:59 PM
- missbadabing, November 25, 2009 07:58 PM
- jimmym68, November 25, 2009 07:42 PM
- edwards, November 25, 2009 07:42 PM
- allennorstrom, November 25, 2009 07:01 PM
Mahalo Dollars are the currency of Mahalo Answers.
Each Mahalo Dollar costs $1.
Once you earn more than 40 Mahalo Dollars, you can request to be paid via PayPal. Each Mahalo Dollar is currently worth $0.75 when paid out via PayPal. Learn More
So if your income is only likely to cover your expenses, you should consider being a non-profit. Or if you plan to take donations.