I'm sorry I'm so late to reading this, but I do have a question.
What is the difference between a 501 (c)(3) and a 501 (c)(7) and why did you opt for the latter?
My husband and I both work for 501(c)(3)s as we both work in Libraries. We also want to form our own Library and have most of the work done short of filing for 501(c)(3) status (it's expensive :x ) and figuring out how we will sustain ourselves every year if we don't get enough grant money
A 501(c)(3) is a 100% charity, where as a 501(c)(7) is a social organization.
We went for the latter because a) as a 501(c)(7) we could provide charitable funds to organizations that were not also 501(c)(3) and most importantly, b) our members were not changed to donars. We did not want to change our entire set up to make members ONLY important because of their donations. Instead as a social organization we can retain the social aspect which is integral to who we are (parties, free days, etc) and if donations are given it's just a cherry on top.