Bacon Lee & Associates recently assisted Shay’s Wellness Center to obtain its official 501c3 status. The organization’s story is a very poignant one. Bonnie Lundy-Kwan founded the nonprofit to help others, like herself, who had experienced the “mixed blessing and ordeal” of transplant therapy.
Bonnie had struggled with a serious and persistent viral infection, and after several surgical and treatment efforts, she had to wait for a new heart – a gift that would save her life. Shay Ledbetter, the young woman from whom Bonnie received her new heart, died in a tragic automobile accident. And because Shay had made the choice to become an organ donor prior to the accident, Bonnie is still alive today.
Shay’s gift not only saved Bonnie’s life but also gave her a “new direction, perspective and mission” and motivated her to create Shay’s Wellness Center. The Center promotes recovery from organ transplants through health and wellness through diet, exercise and support to give transplant recipients a second chance to live life to its fullest potential.
Bacon Lee & Associates’ Priscilla Cortez, who holds a law degree from St. Mary’s University, said that Shay’s Wellness Center had completed many of the early steps to help the nonprofit become tax exempt. Bonnie and her husband had already filed with the Texas Secretary of State to be recognized as a charitable corporation, they had identified a minimum of three board members, and had applied for an employer identification number. “All those steps are necessary before filing with the IRS to become a 501c3,” said Cortez. Her role was to help Shay’s Wellness Center complete the IRS’ Form 1023 by reviewing its bylaws, assist in creating a three-year budget, writing a “narrative” to explain to the IRS the organization’s goals and aspirations, and how it was going to raise funds. “Organizationally they had done their due diligence, had already done visioning and strategic planning, so we were able to write the narrative very easily,” says Cortez.
“I was so impressed with Bonnie’s passion and her commitment to getting the organization started and in getting others engaged in supporting it,” Cortez said. “The organization is truly helping people through the transplant process and creating programs to address their needs.”