Non-profit organizations in Los Angeles County, CA, have a variety of options when it comes to partnering with local businesses and groups to raise funds for their cause or mission. Corporate partnerships are most successful when based on open and honest communication between the non-profit organization and the corporate partner. Both parties should be transparent about what they hope to gain from the association. Article 320.5 of the Criminal Code does not prohibit individuals affiliated with an organization from participating in a lottery organized by the organization.
The city of Los Angeles is home to more than 70 unique neighborhoods, each with its own non-profit organizations and staff members working hard to make the city a better place. These organizations focus on urban renewal initiatives, aiming to address infrastructure discrepancies from previous urban initiatives. California tax-exempt organizations can be found on the List of Exempt Organizations page on the FTB website. The combination of a world-class workforce and exceptional companies makes Los Angeles an attractive home for non-profit organizations. According to Article 320.5 of the Criminal Code, eligible tax-exempt organizations must use at least 90 percent of the gross proceeds from ticket sales for charitable purposes in California.
To be eligible, an organization must have conducted business in California for at least one year and be exempt from tax under one of the subsections of section 23701 of the Revenue and Tax Code contained in section 320.5, subdivision (c) of the Penal Code. The lottery entry form must be submitted at least 60 days before the scheduled drawing date so that Registry staff have sufficient time to process it. When seeking out corporate partnerships, it is important to remember that these relationships require time and ongoing communication. The non-profit organization should make sure that its partner feels valued beyond just a checkbook. If all entries for a raffle are free, requests for voluntary donations to the organization are not related to the distribution of tickets, and this is clear to all participants, then there is no need to register.
When looking for companies to increase fundraising in Los Angeles and get more donations for your non-profit organization, it is important to contact local police (the police department or district attorney), the city prosecutor, or the county attorney in your county. Additionally, there are several tips you should consider when approaching companies for donations:
- Be clear about what you expect from the partnership.
- Be transparent about what you hope to achieve.
- Make sure your partner feels valued.
- Be aware of any legal requirements.
