View source for MWStake incorporation/Individual statements

==Bryan Hilderbrand==
I think there is the potential for a group of disparate developers & consultants to form a corporation with the goal of making a profit, spreading the use of MediaWiki software, and donating a portion of the profits directly to the WMF.  Gergő Tisza has a [https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/User:Tgr_(WMF)/Make_MediaWiki_commercially_viable very well written position paper] describing what this might look like.  While this group is likely viable and might be a parallel or future path, the corporation type (for profit) would limit some of the activities that it could engage in.

Since there is an immediate need for a "bank account" for the logistics of MediaWiki conferences (SMW, EMW, etc.), a 501(c)(6) seems to be a good fit for this while allowing for grants from the WMF.  The primary income would be from membership dues and any grant money from the WMF.  

The following is isn't necessarily all inclusive, but should be a fairly comprehensive list required for setting up an entity and required ongoing activities:
# Draft a Mission Statement to define the goals
#* Frank [https://docs.google.com/document/d/18xh-P9SENXsL_ywhLaGq9XLJRVVQ0fO6aRa1YHVD0HE/edit started this] (he is the owner and you may need to ask for access)
#* Richard's [[{{PAGENAME}}#Richard Heigl|list]] is concise and well written, explicitly adding the conference "bank account" to this would be a good start
# Article of incorporation and bylaws.  A business attorney in the state of incorporation (likely Pennsylvania since Mark lives there) is highly recommend for this. They would be more aware of the details and requirements, a ball park cost is $3k-$5k
# Apply for federal and state entity ID numbers
# Nonprofit application to the IRS and state and receive acknowledgment letters for nonprofit status. This will important to keep on file for easy access
# Select board members
# Record meetings
# Annual tax filings with the IRS and state - even nonprofits still file "tax returns"
# Bookkeeping 
# Annual information filings with state (statement of information - this is a CA requirement, not sure about other states)