Group Exemption Benefit

GFWC is now accepting applications for tax-exempt status as a benefit of membership under GFWC’s group exemption umbrella. Applications are now available here. The application is fillable, however, you must save your completed application to your computer and attach the saved application to your email to GFWC. If you skip this step, you will lose your filled in application and GFWC will receive a blank application. All applications must be completed and submitted to GFWC by email or postmarked by March 1, 2018. 

As part of the application process, clubs and state federations will be required to incorporate GFWC into their name and follow the same fiscal year as GFWC which is July 1 to June 30. Applicants may also have to change their current bylaws to reflect the stated mission or purpose of a 501(c)(3) organization, which is charitable.  Bylaws will also have to include provisions that clubs and state federations will not raise funds for private interests or an individual and, that should the organization disband, all funds raised would be distributed to another 501(c)(3) charitable organization.  Applicants would have a year to complete necessary changes once GFWC receives the group exemption application.

Applicants will be notified by May 31, 2018, if they are approved for inclusion. Once an application is approved, clubs or state federations have one year to amend bylaws. Approved applicants must agree to send a representative to attend a group exemption workshop at GFWC’s Convention in St. Louis in June 2018. 

If successful, new applicants will be added to GFWC’s group exemption report to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in March of 2019 and would be tax exempt beginning the fiscal year July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019. Once accepted into GFWC’s group exemption, clubs or state federations must also agree to file yearly tax forms with the IRS and provide updated information yearly to GFWC.