This was posted on one of my other listservs. You might try this group

Nonprofit Incorporation and tax Exempt Status - DC
Date: February 26, 2002. This CLE accredited workshop provides valuable
information about starting a nonprofit organization. State law issues to be
covered include articles of incorporation, bylaws, and director action by
written consent in lieu of an organizational meeting. Federal issues to be
covered include Internal Revenue Code Section 501 (c) (3) and corresponding
regulations; application for employer identification number; IRS discloser
rules; unrelated business taxable income; charitable contributions; and
restrictions on lobbying. Because of the large amount of information common
to all arts organizations applying for tax-exempt status, WALA requires all
applicants for pro bono services to attend a workshop before a volunteer
attorney can be assigned to them. Presenters: Laura Posssessky and Rich
Thomas. Time: 6:30 - 9:15 pm. Location: Finnegan Henderson, 1300 I Street,
NW, Washington, DC. Please direct all correspondence to Rita Z. Graham, WALA
director of Education, 202/393-2826 ext. 23 or <A
HREF="mailto:[log in to unmask]">[log in to unmask]</A>

Cheryl Brookshear wrote:

> As an aside to this thread, does anyone have information on establishing a local museum organization?  How did it start, do you need to be official (i.e. organized as a 501c3 with corporation papers)?
> Our local area has an 'arts' organization that advocates for funding, has an endowment which provides grants, and coordinates schedules and calendars between groups.  Unfortunately, they limit the 'arts' to performing and visual arts leaving out the historical society, children's
> museum, planetarium and our wonderful historic house (if I do say so myself).  In the back of my mind is the idea of forming a separate organization for those not as involved with the 'arts'.  Since I am at my first museum job, I haven't seen one of these organizations work up close
> to determine how much work it would take and what exactly would need to be done.  Any suggestions?
>
> Cheryl Brookshear
>
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