Ask a Lawyer - Archive

I'm not 100% on how this works so please excuse any mistakes.

I'm interested in starting a fundraiser for an individual for a one time use. It would be to provide the money needed for a child to have an operation. It's not someone that I personally know just a story that I heard. I'm not sure what the legal restrictions on this action would be if there are any and am not sure on how to start. Any help would be appreciated.

Wow! That is awesome. Since this won't be a long term project or cause, it doesn't seem that you need to go to the trouble of starting a charity. Instead, I know of others who simply opened bank accounts in trust for certain persons or causes. I suggest that you contact your bank about establishing such an account. They can probably help also with a simple trust document. That should give donors the assurance that you're not pocketing the money. Without creating a true charity, however, I don't think that contributions will be tax deductible. Hopefully people will donate anyway. May you reap what you sow and may this child have a successful operation and full recovery!