Create a Non-Profit Organization

One of the many things I've learned after becoming involved in a dog rescue group, is the critical need for transportation volunteers. Often, when shelter staff notify a rescue group that a dog is close to a euthanasia date, the wheels begin turning swiftly to pull the dog from the crowded shelter, and get it safely to a temporary foster home. The problem is that more often than not, the foster home is hundreds of miles away.

The same thing happens when an adoptive family has been approved by a group, and wishes to bring a particular dog (perhaps found through a rescue website) to live with them forever. If that dog is several states away, how does the travel happen? These are things I never even considered in my days BR (before rescue). Even after I was involved it took me awhile to understand why dogs simply could not be placed in closer homes. But dog rescue is like many things...it may seem simple in concept, but till you delve in more deeply you can't understand how truly complicated it is.

URGENT! Transport from Florence, KY to Novi, MI, this Saturday

This is a typical transport request volunteers see on the rescue group email. A transport such as this is typically broken into as many as 10 "legs" so the expense and time involvement is more evenly spread among volunteers. But if the transport is an emergency (euthanasia is imminent, or the dog's health or safety is in jeopardy), often times 2 or 3 people will step up and assume the entire drive. With gas hovering at the $4/gallon mark (not to mention vehicle wear and tear) transport can be one of the more costly aspects of rescue work (second to vetting).

When transport volunteers are low on funds, or their schedule does not permit each weekend being eaten up in "dog runs", the entire rescue chain of events can come screeching to a halt. So here is my light bulb of a bucket list idea: Why not establish a separate non-profit organization (501 (c) 3) solely dedicated to providing transportation to rescue groups within a defined multi-state region?

The Vision

"Mama, I'm Coming Home" would be a non-profit organization created in the State of Indiana (nothing special about Indiana, it just happens to be where I live) for transport support of dog rescue within the regional Great Lakes area. The non-profit would start small, and be run by a volunteer staff base. Since I'll be working another job for my income, the transport service would at least initially, begin with one van that would roll on the weekends. If the board of directors are successful fund raisers, the organization could add additional vehicles, routes and travel times as able.

I'm envisioning a van much like the Toyota Sienna in the photo above, with a built-in crate (with ability to be sub-divided for times when multiple dogs are being transferred). The "Mama, I'm Coming Home" logo would be applied diagonally up the sides of the van, and the back of the van would contain the phrase "The dog(s) in this van is on they way to a forever home", with the website URL (so people who are moved by the idea can visit and donate online). I already have a few people hand-picked to be on the board of directors, which will be tasked to write the organization's articles of incorporation (birth certificate).

What will it take?

Each state is different, so if you are also interested in establishing a non-profit organization, you will need to research the necessary steps in your own state. In Indiana, I will need to:

• File the Articles of Incorporation with the Indiana Secretary of State (fee $30.00)
• Contact the Indiana Department of Revenue to be issued an Indiana Taxpayer I.D. # (no charge)
• Fill out and submit to the IRS an application form 1025, to ensure the organization is indeed designated a non-profit one, and will be exempt from federal income tax. This is a lengthy process that can easily take several months, and approval is not automatic. The application fee is $750.00, or $300.00 for organizations that anticipate an annual income of less than $10,000.00
• Not a state requirement, but application for a federal DUNS number (free) is necessary if the organization will ever want to apply for federal funds. (We will)

The initial operating capital will need to support the purchase of the van, crate installation, proper licensure and insurance for the vehicle, and enough cash on hand for proper maintenance and to purchase needed fuel. I would feel comfortable with setting a start-up goal of $50,000.00. The board of directors will need to establish a series of fund-raising events, or produce an annual campaign mailing to support ongoing operational expenses.

Any competition?

Since my day job involves marketing for an area non-profit, I know that those who offer grant funding look to see how the organization seeks to partner with like organizations. They don't like for agencies to compete for donor dollars if the services are duplicated. An Internet search of non-profit animal rescue transport provided two companies with awesome services, but not much else. I enjoyed reading about SkyArk, a non-profit small plane service that will fly animals for rescue groups, away from puppy mills or hoarder situations, or to their foster or forever homes. Another awesome service was Operation Roger, where over-the-road and long-haul truck drivers volunteer to take animals along on routes they are already driving. Operation Roger has been in business for 6 years, and has driven nearly 600 animals to new homes. The animals ride in the cab with the truckers, and both animal and trucker benefit from the company! For more information on those great organizations and how to donate, see links below.

"Mama, I'm Coming Home" is not just any old bucket list item. There are several things on my bucket list that are novelties...things I want to try "just because". But since I'm already involved with dog rescue, this item kicks things up a notch. My life is not settled enough to provide a foster home for rescue dogs, but this transport gig is something I can do. And a non-profit dedicated solely to transport seems like a natural culmination to progression of a passion!