Dear Friends & Partners,
We are pleased to announce that on August 28, 2014, the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) approved Southern African Community USA (SACU) as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization (See:Press Release). This designation has been applied retroactively and is approved as of October 22, 2013.
In October 2013, SACU was incorporated as a non-profit organization in the state of Maryland by its founders two months after its inaugural Union Weekend (which became a “Reunion Weekend” this year). It subsequently received its legal non-profit status. SACU however did not have tax exemption yet. The process is complex and was at times long or tedious. However, we were committed to moving SACU forward for the protection of our organization and persevered through it. In spite our limited knowledge of the tax exempt process, the board of directors set out to meet the requirements through weekly meetings so that we could be recognized as a tax exempt non-profit.
SACU Directors (L-R) Lisa Netha, Omega Tawonezvi, Rachel Nghiwete, Cassandra Sibanda, Siyanda Masiza and Mimmy Polan pose for a photo at the Southern African Reunion Networking event on September 1, 2014 (Not pictured: Sitinga Kachipande, Nadine Gauldino)
We are extremely pleased to announce that our hard work paid off and the IRS has acknowledged our significant efforts in complying with Federal regulations. Our supporters and members can be confident that any financial or in-kind gifts are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.
We appreciate the many well wishers over the past few days and all the people who have supported SACU with volunteering their time, providing gift or donations and signing up for membership.
We are looking forward to continuing on our journey and moving forward, together over the next several years. Thank you for your continued support!
For more information about our tax exemption status, See our September 10th 2014 press release.
Sincerely,
SACU Board of Directors
“Moving Forward, Together”