Last year was the first year of my small commercial haunt. We got started late last year, and I made some decisions based on what I was familiar with knew I could do quickly. I set up a generic S Corp, and did a fictitious name for the haunt company. Pretty straightforward.
My haunt is small, in a small classic downtown area. We use volunteer actors, and had a little under 1000 people last year with great feedback. In the end, we were very close to breaking even, which I count as success. We made a big point of donating proceeds to local groups , which we did even tho we didn't make any profit.
I'm wondering if I would be better off recasting the haunt as a non-profit. Volunteers would be easier, and the idea of donated supplies and sponsorships/partnerships seem much easier sell when you are a charity. But I don't really know anything about charities - would it help? Getting a vacant space donated, building supplies, etc - that sounds great.
In the end, I'm not doing this to make tons of money as much as I am to provide this kind of experience and outlet for people, help the struggling downtown, and give the local high school drama club a chance to do something different. Sounds non-profitty, right?
Thanks for your sage wisdom!
-R.J. Latherow
My haunt is small, in a small classic downtown area. We use volunteer actors, and had a little under 1000 people last year with great feedback. In the end, we were very close to breaking even, which I count as success. We made a big point of donating proceeds to local groups , which we did even tho we didn't make any profit.
I'm wondering if I would be better off recasting the haunt as a non-profit. Volunteers would be easier, and the idea of donated supplies and sponsorships/partnerships seem much easier sell when you are a charity. But I don't really know anything about charities - would it help? Getting a vacant space donated, building supplies, etc - that sounds great.
In the end, I'm not doing this to make tons of money as much as I am to provide this kind of experience and outlet for people, help the struggling downtown, and give the local high school drama club a chance to do something different. Sounds non-profitty, right?
Thanks for your sage wisdom!
-R.J. Latherow
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