Comments on: Congratulations and some worried thoughts

By: Kasper Souren

Kasper Souren — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 12:34:56 +0000

As far as I understood charitable organization and 501(c)(3) are two seperate things. An organization can be
1) a charity in NH and a 501(c)(3),
2) a charity in NH and not a 501(c)(3),
3) not a charity in NH and a 501(c)(3),
4) not a charity in NH and not a 501(c)(3)

Since I have not seen any signs that Casey’s second paragraph is anywhere close to the truth, #4 is the current situation of CouchSurfing. If the 501(c)(3) application is accepted it will be #3.

By: Daz

Daz — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 06:37:59 +0000

Thomas “remember him copying an NDA off the web?”
That was not Matt whatley …..

By: tgoorden

tgoorden — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 23:12:21 +0000

I think Casey is just confused about his tenses.

In the first paragraph he writes: “we announce the submission of our application” and yet in the second paragraph he writes: “Currently, CouchSurfing International, Inc. is a legally recognized and official charitable non-profit corporation in the US state of New Hampshire.”

Clearly the second paragraph should have been started in the future tense: “Couchsurfing, inc will (hopefully) be an official charitable organisation. (Etc etc.)” Although I now understand (thanks to Callum) the confusion: It does look like they think they are one already.

Worse still, it appears Matt Whatley is still giving Casey “experienced” legal advice, which is pretty dubious considering the obvious disasters he was involved in earlier (remember him copying an NDA off the web?). First he’s a “tax ninja” and now he’s an “international non-profit lawyer”. Jeez, that guy is making quite a career!

By: Kasper

Kasper — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 21:47:50 +0000

Casey is stating that CS is a “legally recognized and official charitable non-profit corporation in the US state of New Hampshire.” Unfortunately there is no reference, and all information that has been found so far on the NH website does not confirm Casey’s statement.

By: Callum

Callum — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 21:07:06 +0000

I thought the email was quite clear that CS was applying for 501(c)(3) status. I did think it was interesting that Casey went to such length to claim that they are currently a legal charity in New Hampshire, which I’m not convinced is true.

By: Daz

Daz — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 17:20:25 +0000

Congratulations Pickwick you did it !!

Now all I need to see if the certificate and links to it on the .gov website. Once I see it there .We can congratulate casey .