The Plan:
To open up a non-profit that helps artists, entertainers, fans, and developers come together unter one roof.
(I really want to help skinners, but I thought, why not other artists too?)
The Goal:
Become the number one portal for entertainment news, culture and health.
(Education is key to all of my projects)
The Solution:
Use the internet as a platform for interaction between new artists and entertainers, old school experts (from being an artist to the school of hard knocks), fanboys, the curious, and people who just want to help. Use open source stategies like OpenDB, FileManager, Coppermine and Geeklog (for example) along with (x)HTML, MySQL and PHP to create and maintain the rest of the site.
Today I go to NYC Solutions to get some forms and find out when to go to what. I also call up WIBO and hopefully start classes in January 2006 for 'How to start up a company' and join their network of small businesses.
WIBO:
http://www.wibo.org
One problem is that I want to start raising money now, but will that effect me becoming a org down the road if I already have other people's money (OPM).
Between Cafepress t-shirt sales, OpenDB catalog of dvd/movies/books/music sales (if any), Amazon and magazine referas... I can track the money easily, but does earning the money before I incorportate into a non-profit hurt or help?
Since I REALLY want to go ahead and start eSM, esgMUSIC and models.esourcemagazine, but at the same time if it will cause allot of grief, I'll slow that up to a crawl if need be.
Anyone here a little knowledgable on this or have some first hand experience on opening up a non profit?