Praise for Books and Website

Dear Ms. Deja:

I bought your book to help me file for our local high school band boosters club and for our community band...It is an absolute godsend to a layman.  Your information is presented in such a down-to-earth language that its like having a friend talk you through the 1023.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Dear Sandy,

I followed your instructions, paid for and downloaded the book.  After having spent a week perusing and scanning it, I think you may have produced a nugget of pure gold.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

WOW! Exactly what I needed.  Everything I needed in one place.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
                                    
The instructions for each question were fantastic.  It simplified to us what the IRS was looking for.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Hello, Sandy,

...THIS is a TREASURE TROVE!!  I am delighted with this info-- much of it I've been asking about or searching for over a period of months :-)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I like the insider’s view of the process.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The book was fantastic and very helpful...Worth every penny!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Once again, I cannot possibly thank you enough for your help in securing retroactive reinstatement for the department.  If you ever find yourself in [our vicinity], please contact me so that we can have a special meeting to vote you an Honorary Member and take you for a ride in a fire truck!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
 
Dear Sandy:

…I’m so very glad I asked, and I very much appreciate your thorough answer.  It’s such a pleasure to deal with people who really know their stuff, and it’s abundantly evident that you DO!  I will check out the Revenue Rulings you cited…You have made my day/evening!!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

My previous purchase from you was a resoundingly successful tool for me.  Thank you for sharing the knowledge.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
 
Sandy Deja’s book Prepare Your Own 501(c)(3) Application could only have been written by an insider who knows both the regulations and the mindset of the IRS. She is clear, precise and anticipates the common questions. My application had particular nuances which I never could have resolved from the IRS resources. I retained Sandy to review my application and the IRS reviewer told me that it was the rare PERFECT application. Her professionalism and fairness in fees is refreshing in the chaotic world of non-profit taxes.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
                                      
Got our determination really fast thanks to you.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I just wanted to let you know what an incredibly valuable resource your book was. We got our determination letter a couple of months after submitting our application just by paying close attention to everything in your book. I wish I could say something useful that might help you make it better, but I don't remember anything I didn't like about it. And needless to say we are very happy with the results we got. Thank you so much!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I, the Board, and Members…want to thank you for your book and tips on filing the 1023 form.  Your help was indispensable and our application was processed and approved in in less than 4 months.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

…I was responsible for submitting an application for 501c3 status in 2011.

 We did a lot of research upon starting our nonprofit, and this included talking to many nonprofit professionals, including many nonprofit founders. Most (if not all!) of them told us that attaining nonprofit status upon submitting the application would take a very long time, at least 9 months, and at least one person told us it could take years. They said it can be a lengthy process as it goes back and forth between you and the IRS as you answer the additional questions they have. This is basically what all of the internet says too. I filled out the nonprofit status application form using your book as a guide, and I can't explain to you the excitement we felt when we received a letter from the IRS that our nonprofit status had been approved 6 WEEKS after submitting our form! I am not an accountant or a lawyer. So, a very belated THANK YOU! :) 
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Hi, Sandy.

I just wanted to take a moment to (belatedly) thank you for producing such a great resource.  Our organization, an online community that helps vulnerable teens, had some fairly complex hurdles to deal with. This wasn't my first time doing a c3 application so I knew what was involved.  We purchased the Nolo book first, and we read and re-read it… but then I found yours and decided to buy it as well.

We were able to get some pro-bono advice from an attorney, but he didn't know much about the 501(c)(3) process and I felt, most of the time, that we (equipped with your book) understood more about the process than he did.

We submitted our application (the long form 1023) using some of your specific advice on tracking down similar nonprofits, and writing detailed narratives. I was fully expecting them to come back with questions or clarifications, but the application sailed through and we got our approval letter without a hitch…

We're now all set up and good to go, and I credit the smooth sailing almost entirely to the excellent, clear advice in your book.

Please keep up the great work!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
 
Your ebook was extremely helpful, in fact, invaluable in the preparation of our reapplication. Thanks again.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Just an FYI - the IRS approved our organization in less than a month.  I don't think that would have happened without buying and using your book.  One of the better purchases I have made recently.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Thanks for your wonderful book.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
                               
Thank you for an excellent resource - and for offering your excellent book online
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ms. Deja, there are no words to express how extremely helpful your book, Prepare Your Own 501(c)(3) Application, has been to our non-profit organization.  We received the IRS notification of approval yesterday!!!  Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Hi, Sandy,

Just another success story to share with you thanks to your great book.  Got my IRS response today, copy attached, two months to the day after first submitting it...

Thank you so much - everyone said I couldn't do it without an attorney and a CPA, and you showed them otherwise...
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Hello Sandy -

This past summer I purchased your e-book and had written you with various questions pertaining to completing our foundation's 501(c)(3) application.  We submitted our completed application in early September and received our approval within 3 weeks.  We were all stunned at how quickly it was approved.

I owe it all to you and your wonderful book.  Thank you so much for your assistance, and for putting together such a knowledgeable and comprehensive reference book.  We would have been lost and would have undoubtedly experienced multiple delays if not for your insights.  

All the best -
                                        ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Hello, Ms. Deja

I bought your book as a reference when I was working with a student law clinic to make sure the assistance they were giving was in the right direction.  Sadly, the law clinic was a huge disappointment and didn't help me at all.  So I took it on my own to fill out the form and attach all of the supporting documents this summer.  Your book was a huge help...

I completed the form, always checking your book to gain guidance as to what the IRS is really looking for in a given section.  I compiled the packet, being fastidious to label all of the attachments as required and including the checklist as instructed and sent it in.  Three weeks to the date the USPS confirmed delivery to the IRS I had my designation letter approving our organization as a 501(c)(3) organization.  I was ecstatic.  I can't thank you enough for taking the time to write the book and charge a very reasonable amount for it.  It is heartwarming to be able to complete a task without employing an expensive attorney.  Now we can get on with our fundraising activities and hopefully be growing a community garden next season.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Sandy -

I am again using your e-book which I purchased last year to help a Christian school file its Form 1023.  After preparing the Form 1023 for the school according to your very helpful instructions, I sent it to an outside legal firm that specializes in churches and tax exempt organizations for a final review before sending it to the IRS. They were impressed and said that I did an excellent job!

...I got the response back from the IRS and the only thing they asked for was an original newspaper showing that we advertised the non-discriminatory policy.  That was it!  The school received its approved notification letter in less than six months.  I couldn't have done it without the help of your e-book...
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Sandy,

Thanks for the great book.  I just received a notice that my 1023 application was approved in a little over 5 weeks.  Not so much as a follow up question from the IRS.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Good afternoon, Sandy

I wanted to let you know that our organization has been granted tax exempt status 501(c)(3).

We could not have done this without the direction and examples in your ebook, Prepare Your Own 501(c)(3) Application.

We also want to express our sincere thanks for the times that you responded so quickly and thoroughly to our email questions.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Aloha e Sandy,

I just want to send you a short note to let you know that our Hawaiian organization was approved for 501(c)(3) status.  Mahalo Nui Loa for putting out such a USER FRIENDLY book that got me through the process.

We saved legal fees as a result of the purchase of your book.  In addition, I want to thank you for responding to my email questions...Yes, over and above my expectations.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Your book is a godsend.  Thanks so much!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I bought your 'Prepare Your Own 501(c)(3) Application' book and used it to successfully obtain 501(c)(3) status for an organization of which I am a director.  Although I am a lawyer by training, I don't practice in this area, and so found your information immensely helpful...

My organization had several complex issues - husband and wife on board, contracts with directors, grants to foreign organizations - but the application was approved at the agent level without their asking any additional questions.  I must admit that, although I had invested a huge effort into preparing the materials, I didn't expect that it would sail through so smoothly.  So many thanks - your book fills a much-needed niche.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Hello Sandra!

Thank you for this opportunity to send you my appreciation for your book - Prepare Your Own 501(c)(3).  It was a God send to us.  Our group has been in operation since January 2002...I finally found your book on line.  WOW! Exactly what I needed.  Everything I needed in one place.  Step by step, I followed your advice...

My biggest concern was that we were well past the 27 month limit.  But you had a sample letter that could be used to ask the IRS for an exception.  I wrote a letter to the IRS based on your example...and found out just two weeks ago that we are approved!!!!! And retro back to 2002!  All thanks to your advice and guidelines.  I can't thank you enough.  I recommend it to all of my rescue friends because our circumstances are all different but your advice covers it all.  I highly recommend it to anyone who needs help filling out the application.  It is worth much more than I paid for it.  THANK YOU!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Dear Sandy,

...I bought your 501(c)(3) book shortly after incorporating our organization.  It is a great book - clear and spot-on, anticipating all sorts of questions.  We received our 501(c)(3) on the first try.  I had also taken a day-long 501(c)(3) prep, which was good.  But when I had a specific question with a particular issue, that organization wasn't much help, while you responded within 24 hours with a solid answer.  Thank you!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I thought your 501(c)(3) prep book was great.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~


Praise for websites:

It is a blessing to contact you regarding the website: 501c3book.org. I am elated to tell you you have saved me from a huge disaster with the IRS.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Great site...I needed to confirm a few things (second opinion)  and found your site to be an effective resource...Well done, 
comprehensive & easy to follow.  

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

This is really good! I'm sending it out on our list serve...Thanks for your good work! 
 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I have filled out hundreds of these 1023s for charter schools, and just when I thought I knew everything, I come across a very 
helpful website.  Thanks for the hard work that went into this site.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I was greatly surprised to find such a terrific site!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

...the site is a keeper. Thanks.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Thank you for all of your information regarding the 501(c)(3) application process.  The materials were extremely helpful!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

This is a fantastic resource! Our application (for a new school) was all put together; after reading your inquiry letter information, I was able to include a few additional documents that should help us through without an inquiry on these points.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

You have really adopted the essence of the Information Age: giving out valuable information free to the public thereby
empowering people...
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
 
I wished I had such a resource when we first set forth to file our 501(c)(3) papers - it would have helped out tremendously!!