[group-organizers] Collecting Sponsor Money

[Ned Batchelder]

Boston Python uses the PSF as a fiscal sponsor.  Sponsors can donate 
money at http://donate.bostonpython.com, the PSF holds it for us. We buy 
pizza ourselves (on a personal credit card) and send the receipt to the 
PSF treasurer to get reimbursed from the funds.  It means we have to be 
willing to carry the cost of the pizza on our cards for a month or so, 
but otherwise works really well. (Actually, the bonus points I get from 
my credit card is the only financial benefit I get from being an 
organizer...)

We looked into setting up a bank account, and the bank wanted proof of 
business organization, which meant setting up an LLC, or a non-profit, 
and it all became very involved very quickly.  Fiscal sponsorship by the 
PSF has worked really well for us.  One downside: the sponsor has to 
have a credit card they can use with PayPal, and some sponsors have 
preferred to get an invoice from Boston Python instead.

--Ned.

On 1/31/2013 3:38 PM, Jim Bartek wrote:
> Hi Everyone,
>
> I am new to helping out the Indianapolis Python User Group,  IndyPy.
>
> We are doing a special event and we need to actually get some sponsors for this one.  Does the Python Foundation or any group allow you to collect and store sponsor dollars there? Or do most people just collect the money into their personal or business account and run it that way?  I am guessing most groups are not legal entities?
>
> Thanks is advance.
>
>
> Best,
>
>
> Jim Bartek
>