can you legally host a fundraising event (i.e. golf tournament) for the sole reason of individual profit?

Question

Is it ethical?
If you do all the planning, financing, and preparation...and everyone has a great time...can you make a huge profit off of an event that makes more money that you put in?
Do some proceeds have to go to charity?
Can you take all profits?

Answer 1

The answer to your question is: Yes

Provided that you treat is as a business and file the appropriate taxes on your earnings. Keep in mind, most people use the term "fundraiser" in conjunction with Non-Profit Organizations that don't have steady streams of income. I would avoid using that word unless you intend to donate a part of the days earnings to a charitable or non-profit organization. If you simply declare that you are hosting a golf tournament then you would simply be doing what the PGA has been doing for years ;)

Answer 2

At all Kingdom Halls we have contribution boxes, they are usually in the back, we donate on a worldwide basis just as we are wold wide in our service, this is one of the reason why the Jehovah's Witnesses are normally the first there we don't have to wait to receive donations. This is all done with all that attend meetings, every month the finance's are discussed and with a show of hands all matters are handled. One other thing that I would like to add is that all those that run and organize the relief help are not paid a wage as most others do, for that is their job. By the Jehovah's Witnesses doing this almost 100% to help the needy, I know it's over 90% which is better than the 1-5 cents for every dollar donated. This why I do not donate to any other organization, for I have read and heard how much goes to others rather then those that are in need. We donate to the World Wide Work each and every month, even when there is no disaster

Answer 3

If you conduct a fundraiser and you take all the money it is a big level begging! Of course its unethical! All fund raisers take money for the expenses they have undergone and the rest goes to the charity. At least that's what they do in the charity events I have known.

Answer 4

If you call it fundraising or charity, they have to go somewhere or else you're asking for legal trouble. Let's not forget, non-profit organizations are still run by the bottom line and folks who work for them get paid salary like everyone else, they just have a different agenda.

Answer 5

It depends on what you are doing. It is unethical and illegal to throw a fundraising event for a charity and to keep the money for yourself. If, however, you book a room somewhere and get friends together to chip in $10 each, then you're OK. People are naturally good and willing to give to charities (I raise lots of money for charities) so it ruins things for people really raising money in grassroots efforts for something they believe in if there are people raising money under false pretenses.

Answer 6

Yes, as long as the people paying to attend such an event know that the money is going to you as an individual then it is fine, you will have a diffcult time finding such people but you might just.

however if you present the event as if it were raising money for some other charity/group and you are taking the money for yourself, it constituates fraud and can lead to severe fines/jailtime.

Answer 7

You can legally, as long as some of the profits go to some form of a charity. It dosent matter how much.

Answer 8

Um... it's legal if you don't mislead anyone. It's definitely not ethical and I doubt you'd have many sponsors or participants. I sure wouldn't participate.

Answer 9

you can't take all profit, especially it's non-profit. Don't be greedy think of the less fortunate

Answer 10

Is it ethical? That is a question answered based on your personal moral values......