As I write this morning, I am very patiently waiting for the IRS to answer the phone. I am on hold with the exempt organizations hotline, but there is nothing "hot" about it. Estimated wait time - 30 to 60 minutes. Current count: 9 minutes and 36 seconds...
Our first application was received way back in February of 2013 and we've been fighting through red tape ever since. I continue to call every month or so to check in and see if our application has been reviewed yet. It is an excruciating process. Everybody and their brother wants to start a non-profit these days - approximately 60,000 applications are received each year by the IRS.
But, the good news is we can continue to "act" as a non-profit while this process is happening. And, we've got a big fundraiser just around the corner - Mayo Girls Golf Swings for Shannon is less than three weeks away now. It is fun to see the teams that are signs up to play. Coach Myhro and I met this week and we talked about how much this event means to us. It's personal for sure, and it's worth the work that goes into it.
We've got some new SOF products coming - visors and a new t-shirt - so that will be fun to debut at the event. It is heartening to see the support that our friends, family, and community continue to show. Last year this event was a big success, and that allowed us to give out an extra scholarship last winter. We will be sending out those scholarship checks next month. That makes wading through the red tape worth it.
So, the holiday weekend is here now and we will enjoy some time with family and friends. But, not before I get someone to pick up the phone... 28 minutes and 35 seconds... and counting...
