Can someone explain the differents between Carolwood Historic Society and The Carolwood Foundation? I am wanting to join, but it looks like 1 is a LLC. isn't LLC short for limited liability company? On their websites www.carolwood.org at the bottom there's a copyright link at the bottom.

I don't mind supporting a not-for-profit, but don't want to be a "member" of a company and give my money to someone making money off it.

Is there a differents? I like the idea, but am concerned about a company pretending to be a charitable organisation.

thanks - Stan

I don't know the business dynamics--Michael Campbel can elaborate--but as I understand it, the Carolwood Pacific Historical Society has morphed into a 501(c)(3) non-profit. Don't know what to make of the LLC.

The Carolwood Pacific Historical Society is a membership organization that exists as a Limited Liability Corporation in the state of California. The Carolwood Foundation is a 501(c)3, also organized in California, and is primarily responsible for the operation of Walt's Barn in Griffith Park. The two groups are related, but legally separate.

Tahnk you for the help but I am still not sure waht the answer is.

Is the Carolwood Society a business or a not-for-profit? Am I a member of a company or a charitable organization?

Stan, I forwarded your message to Michael Broggie, and received this reply:

"The Society was originally organized as a LLC because it produces events that may have legal exposure and private membership organizations, such as the Boy Scouts and the National Rifle Association, do not usually meet the not-for-profit requirements of 501(c)3 status. Subsequently, the non-profit Foundation was incorporated to operate Walt Disney's Carolwood Barn at Griffith Park and to permit donations of money and materials to be legally tax deductable for donors in compliance with IRS regulations. As a non-profit corporation the Carolwood Foundation does not accept memberships. With regard to Society finances, membership dues support the production of a newsletter, events, educational outreach and administration of its 500+ family memberships, which represent residents in 38 states and seven countries. As a point of interest, Walt Disney's family created the Walt Disney Family Foundation (non-profit) and an LLC for the Walt Disney Family Museum under development at San Francisco."