501 (c) 5 is for labor, agricultural and horticultural organizations is what is most appropriate. The common 501 (c) 3 is for schools, churches or other charities. (c) 3 has one great advantage and that is that all donations are tax deductible on the donor\'s federal income tax. That is not the case with 501 (c) 5 organizations. The main \"cons\" are that it is a paperwork chore to get non-profit status accomplished. However, if you can follow directions, you can get through it. Others (including me) would be happy to provide paperwork that can be used as a template. Also, there is a filing fee. I think it is around $50-$100. If you try for 501(c)3 first and get denied, you will have to pay again to try for 501(c)5. On the \"pro\" side, we now have access to grants (we already got a nice one), county services (we are getting a group of corrections people to clean up and tear down), have tax exempt status from the state for all our purchases, get free listing in the yearly local non-profit Christmas wish list, have no taxes or annual filing, and can get approved for legal gambling fundraisers (ie. bingo, etc.) if we want it. Overall, I feel that it legitimizes our organization.