Clubhouse Fundraising.

10 APR 2021 // By: Talalima Mobley.

If you haven’t heard the news on the biggest buzz in social media, there’s a new app that has taken over and everyone has been wanting a piece of it. Only because of the notion that it’s super exclusive and how accessible celebrities can be on the platform. Back in October of last year, I joined the app and started to gain a lot of traction and visibility that I’m not accustom to receiving. Especially from fashion insiders and peers that recognised the influence that I truly have.

The social media app is audio based only and no type of visual content is shared minus your profile’s avatar. Its called the clubhouse app and I happen to manage three clubs on it: StyleHeirs. club, Fashion Creatives Link Up club - that I cofounded with Dionne and for the third one I am an admin for the Rihanna Navy club that my newly discovered best-friend Catrise founded with her sister.

Recently, the app released a new feature where currently only about 1,000 profiles in North America out of 10 million profiles worldwide have been deemed worthy enough to received tips sent to profiles that are constantly moderating and creating rooms. Mainly users that find value in the rooms that specific moderators host can send tips to those creators as a thank you for the discussions, lessons taught, and relationships that were formed. In order for the send monies feature to work a profile would need to connect a stripe account to their profile and being that we have one for this website I easily connected the So Fit Sofia Fund’s stripe account to clubhouse so that if and when a tip was given, it would be sent directly to the organisation because I’m not depending on clubhouse to be my main personal income.

This might have been a quick thoughtless decision to have done that but I was given a lot of feedback from users on clubhouse that I have got to check with an accountant to make sure nothing falls back on me personally in a negative way. Which was helpful because again this experience is a learning curve.

Xxoo.

Developing
Your
Natural
Abilities
Simply
Telling
Your
Story.

Sofia wanted to tell HER story and now her story continues with your voice being added to every donation received.

DYNASTYS@sofitsofia.org

So anyone wanna send me monies on clubhouse app. Just know it will be a donation sent to @sofitsofiafund a non-profit I sent up in honour of my mamas! 🥰🥰.

— Talalima Mobley. (@talamobley) April 10, 2021

Determination Letter.

08 NOV 2020 // By: Talalima Mobley.

ABOUT DAMN TIME !!!! The IRS needs to find a better way with communication cause how did we get a determination letter issued to So Fit Sofia Fund back on the fourth of September but we had noooooooo clue because the letter didn’t arrive to our physical address. Part of me wants to blame how common snail-mail gets lost here on the island. That’s why there’s an established mainland mailing address for the organisation because we don’t want this to happen again. Plus many places rather not send anything to Hawaii because of the costs so to avoid the lost opportunity we can accept mail via New York City.

Anyway, the government found favour in the organisation and we couldn’t be more excited to get events started and bring more awareness to how important mental-health extremely is for any typical day-to-day life. It wasn’t until two months after the determination letter was issued that I got restless enough to research ways to find out some answers. Late at night, I landed on a helpful website that analysed charity profiles and learnt that each organisation isn’t a mystery and every kind of information can be found via IRS websites and other platforms that inform the general public enough to know where each dollar is being spent. Since I saw several determination letters on this site I knew there could possibly be a note out there about So Fit Sofia Fund. And guess what, I found it online at the IRS website after searching the EIN details.

There wasn’t an emotion comparable to how I felt when I finally discovered the long awaited news! It was a major relief and there was no longer any stress of the possibility of not being able to move forward with our vision. Only because I wanted to secure the dream that my mommy-mama had to give back and it seems we are on the right path for it to come to fruition. Yeah, I felt like I had to make it happen because my stunning mother always came through for her children and those she loved in her life.

Since we had an official EIN and the 501(c)(3) status, we ran to set up profiles on Benevity and GlobalGiving to use those needed tools in finding easier ways for those that willingly want to give their time or monies towards our mission and vision.

Lowkey, I wanted to print and frame this letter to hang it up on the wall or even laminate it to show it to random strangers about how cool this accomplishment brought so much satisfaction and mainly to stunt.

Xxoo.

Developing
Your
Natural
Abilities
Simply
Telling
Your
Story.

Sofia wanted to tell HER story and now her story continues with your voice being added to every donation received.

DYNASTYS@sofitsofia.org

✨As of 04 Sept 2020, the So Fit Sofia Luanu’u Toilolo Mobley Fund has received a 501(c)(3) determination letter from the IRS. A bit late on receiving the exciting news but beyond thrilled to have made progress. More details to come with programs we will offer. 🙌🏾🙌🏾. Xxoo.

— So Fit Sofia Fund (@sofitsofiafund) November 8, 2020

One year on twitter and still waiting for that 501(c)(3) status so we can get to spreading love! ♥️.

— So Fit Sofia Fund (@sofitsofiafund) September 24, 2020

US GOV'T.

17 MAR 2020 // By: Talalima Mobley.

FINALLY!!!!! Today, the IRS called and I had no clue they mainly have offices in Kansas City, Missouri - where my siblings and I spent most of our childhood. At first when the phone rang, I had thought it had to do with covid-19 news but it was an agent wanting to clear some things up from what was mentioned in the 1023 form. Which was a bit frustrating because we had thought the language on the application was clear enough to understand but being that this was our first experience with this type of packet we had some holes.

Of course this is a learning curve for us all so it was nice to take the feedback and run with it to become a better force for charity. What’s tough is the fact that the IRS is still running with old methods and requiring us to fax in more materials. When the common household today doesn’t own a fax machine and most businesses have parted ways from that type of communication. Now the next hurdle is problem solving, providing more details and finding a location that is open during a pandemic and that will allow us to properly send the information over in a timely manner.

May we continue to pray for guidance from the Heavens and rely on our ancestors to iron-out any unseen stumbling blocks so that we can push forward in our sole-mission.

Xxoo.

Developing
Your
Natural
Abilities
Simply
Telling
Your
Story.

Sofia wanted to tell HER story and now her story continues with your voice being added to every donation received.

DYNASTYS@sofitsofia.org

As seen on our IG story! When there’s work to be done, we show up!! Stay safe during this pandemic. pic.twitter.com/rVrvff26Y9

— So Fit Sofia Fund (@sofitsofiafund) March 17, 2020

Waiting Game.

22 JAN 2020 // By: Talalima Mobley.

Allow me to give you a glimpse into who the woman that raised me was like. IMPATIENT - haha being that she is a Leo and is a natural born leader, she never has time to wait. Perhaps her anxiety disorders and having OCD that contributed to being a perfectionist fuelled her inability to wait and take time with things. Now that I am an adult I’ve learned a few impatient habits of not wanting to wait, for anything. Yet, we are dealing with the IRS so all we can do is WAIT but it’s so nerve racking having to live with thoughts of the possibility of not being approved with a 501(c)(3) status.

As an organisation it will mean a lot for the IRS to find us eligible to be granted a tax-exempt status. Only because most corporations and individuals find comfort in donating to a cause that has that approval from the government. It will give us a peace of mind knowing that we can carry-out our mission with ease and support from all around.

As we continue to wait their decision, we will perfect our craft before officially accepting monetary support or in-kind services.

Until then, we will be brainstorming programs that we want to implement and research where in the Black and/or Pasifika communities that need our light of help.

Xxoo.

Developing
Your
Natural
Abilities
Simply
Telling
Your
Story.

Sofia wanted to tell HER story and now her story continues with your voice being added to every donation received.

DYNASTYS@sofitsofia.org

Ooh the stress this took! Thanks to the village for being so helpful. The mathematical equations in good faith projection threw me for a doozy! Once approved the accountant can handle all of that cause nope. Not for me! pic.twitter.com/nnyjCU7PAb

— So Fit Sofia Fund (@sofitsofiafund) November 1, 2019

501(c)(3) Pending.

01 NOV 2019 // By: Talalima Mobley.

Listen, this experience for filling out the IRS 1023 form to request a 501(c)(3) status was beyond confusing and I felt like most of the questions they asked were meant to trick or trip-up any person that’s forming a charity and to reveal true motives of the mission. There were times when completing the form we wanted to give-up and just pay for a professional to assist with answering the questions — as most Zillennials tend to do — but we pushed through and genuinely wanted to learn to become more experienced in these procedures. And if a packet was going to be the biggest hurdle then perhaps it was a test to see how important establishing this organisation really meant to us.

It took talking to two separate lawyers to finalise the packet and we made sure the information provided on the form was clear and didn’t blur the lines to seem like we were conducting a half-ass organisation.

Personally, I’m not great with numbers so the mathematical equations in good faith took me back to the anxiety in grade school answering the unrealistic “if Sofia had 30 mangos…” word-problems. Thankfully, I have an amazing team that isn’t afraid of algebra or geometry - whatever but they were so good in calming my nerves and getting this settled. With that, I am beyond grateful to them and cannot wait to get an official accountant to work these numbers for us because frankly I’m not the best one to do it.

Xxoo.

Developing
Your
Natural
Abilities
Simply
Telling
Your
Story.

Sofia wanted to tell HER story and now her story continues with your voice being added to every donation received.

DYNASTYS@sofitsofia.org

Ooh the stress this took! Thanks to the village for being so helpful. The mathematical equations in good faith projection threw me for a doozy! Once approved the accountant can handle all of that cause nope. Not for me! pic.twitter.com/nnyjCU7PAb

— So Fit Sofia Fund (@sofitsofiafund) November 1, 2019

SoFitSofia.org LAUNCH.

24 SEP 2019 // By: Talalima Mobley.

Throughout ones life they may have a dream to form a non-profit in order to give back to the community they benefitted from. It’s surprising to know how it’s a goal for majority of people with that desire to establish a charity before they reach their 30’s and I’m not entirely sure why that age is the goal but it may seem that I’ve accomplished that goal unintentionally. It wasn’t until I was talking to a friend of mine that mentioned how I’m just barely making it with being 29 for a few more months.

After my stunning mothers untimely death from major mental-health disorders I stumbled upon her personal journals. And packets that she completed whilst in a few programs that educated her on how to cope with some of her symptoms. Out of many written thoughts she expressed how she had plans to form a non-profit herself and to give back to the battered women and family homeless shelters she survived through as a young adult and during her time raising her family. It was at that very moment that I dedicated myself to seeing that her dream will still come true beyond the grave.

From what I read it seemed like her goal was to focus primarily on the community that she emerged from; which having a Pacific Islander heritage - being part of the first generation born in America - growing up with immigrant parents from both American Sāmoa and Western Sāmoa. All of her 8 children are considered Afatasi (mixed racial backgrounds) born as half-Sāmoan and half-Black. As she grew up in San Francisco she navigated life and benefited mainly from her Pasifika culture and was definitely considered and often mistaken as being Black - which both her surviving parents are Samoan, to white America that’s Black no if’s and’s or but’s.

Since both communities are constantly underrepresented with barely any organisations that maintains a focus on the betterment of our people; is why So Fit Sofia Fund will cater to uplifting those families into forming better mental-health habits. Mainly to ensure dialog is shared to eliminate the silence behind never openly discussing the harm that unstable environments won’t positively uplift the minds of our people.

Once my stunning mother was diagnosed she often discussed it with her children and with those around her. As a child, I remember her efforts in trying to dispel the rumours and negative stigma towards having unstable mood swings but I also remember how majority of those that she wanted to share with wasn’t open in receiving that knowledge only because Pacific Islanders are taught that it doesn’t exist or the Black communities weren’t wanting to unbox the trauma from white supremacy.

Which is why So Fit Sofia Fund’s entire goal is to educate those that are ready to accept the need for change so that the entire village can heal together.

Please take the time to find ways to contribute to our mission and efforts by donating what you can, whether it be monetary support or your volunteered time that will carry-out blessings to those that receive our love and guidance to a better livelihood.

Xxoo.

Developing
Your
Natural
Abilities
Simply
Telling
Your
Story.

Sofia wanted to tell HER story and now her story continues with your voice being added to every donation received.

DYNASTYS@sofitsofia.org

Today, we launched our webpage [https://t.co/4ugCtYVV1G] and there’s still more details to put into place. Yet, let’s celebrate small successes always! Xxoo. pic.twitter.com/FoASQoE5xw

— So Fit Sofia Fund (@sofitsofiafund) September 24, 2019

Firm Foundation.

21 AUG 2019 // By: Talalima Mobley.

CONGRATULATIONS! We are now an approved entity in The Kingdom of Hawai’i, also known as, the 50th state of the United States of America. Laying the foundation to So Fit Sofia Fund isn’t easy, yet, it’s been worth the commotion to make this a reality. More updates to come shortly.

Xxoo.

---

Developing
Your
Natural
Abilities
Simply
Telling
Your
Story.

Sofia wanted to tell HER story and now her story continues with your voice being added to every donation received.

DYNASTYS@sofitsofia.org

@NoelaniSugata darling, which how to start a non-profit books do you recommend ?!

— Talalima Mobley. (@talamobley) July 3, 2018

Yes exactly! Which is why a 501(c)(3) is in the works... 🥰 and this part hit me “While your new life may seem unrecognizable, that doesn’t mean you’ve lost the ambition and drive that got you here — you just need to learn to redirect them.”

— Talalima Mobley. (@talamobley) September 6, 2019