- Objective – Manage an IRS 501(c)(3) non-profit charity organization that supports the dive community and the marine environment that is critical to our sport.
- Divers working together to make our diving world a better place.
- Run by volunteers from the SCUBA diving community. (As it currently operates, TGCC does not qualify for the 501(c)(3) designation.)
- We are presently asking for a for a financial and time commitment from divers:
- General Working Concepts:
- ACWA will not run charity events and programs; only financial support will be provided.
- It is envisioned that annual funding would be:
- Charity “Supporters” – contribute to help finance the organization’s administration (Website, IRS and State application costs, legal, administrative costs, D & O ins., etc.)
- Charity Donors:
- Directly fund the charity’s donation programs.
- General donation – Funds for existing charity programs.
- Directed donation – Donor specifies where their donation is to be directed. Such donations would only be accepted if the target of the donation was consistent with this organization’s and the IRS objectives as a 501(c)(3).
- Donations are tax deductible due to 501(c)(3) status.
- Many employers match donations to 501(c)(3) organizations.
- Directly fund the charity’s donation programs.
- ACWA will not run charity events and programs; only financial support will be provided.
- Process
- Step 1 – The period from January 28 thru June 30, 2023 has been set for identifying whether the dive community is serious about wanting to work together in this way. We believe we need 100 or more supporters to financially move forward and create something that the IRS will judge to be a “legitimate” “public” charity. Completed
- Step 2 – Determine and reserve the name of this organization; Create a Board of Directors; elect officers; incorporate; apply for an IRS non-profit determination; determine cost projections; and establish By-Laws. Completed
- Step 3 – Establish a consistent, long term set of annual donation programs.
- Step 4 – Set the annual process for determining which programs, and their donation level, would be offered.
American Charitable Watersport Activities (ACWA) Plans
