MTNA affiliates taking advantage of 501 status - c - 3 - National Association News - Music Teacher National Association - Brief Article

American Music Teacher, Feb-March, 2003

As of December 2002; eighty-nine MTNA state and local affiliates have been approved for 501(c)(3) status through MTNA's group exemption process, achieving their status without filing for an application with the Internal Revenue Service. By becoming a 501(c)(3) organization under MTNA, each qualified affiliate saves $500 in IRS application fees. To date, MTNA affiliates have saved a combined total of $44,500.

Among the advantages of 501(c)(3) status, affiliates can accept charitable contributions that will be tax deductible to the contributor, receive preferred rates on bulk mailings and claim exemption from state sales tax.

To take advantage of this opportunity, affiliates must review their constitutions for compliance with Code Section 501(c)(3) requirements and submit a letter authorizing the national organization to include them on MTNA's "group exemption roster." The national headquarters provides guidelines for completing the process.

For more information about becoming a 501 (c)(3) organization, contact Marge Bengel, MTNA assistant executive director, at (888) 512-5278, ext. 229, or mbengel@mtna.org.