Online Community - What should I do?(IE: Non-Profit?)

[RivaCom]

Hi, Everyone, Hope everyone might be able to help me out.

I run a website that is basically similar to this, a forum where users can come and join in conversation with others. However, I rent some services and equipment that my users use. Currently I pay for everything out of pocket. However my concern is, I've had many users come to me asking to put a donate button on the site. This was my plan altogether as must forum software has a "subscription" option built in. However, the more I started thinking about it, the more I questioned myself.

So in a nut shell. The community runs the website/forums, rent various services, and rent various servers for our needs. That being said, I would love to eventually take additional funds and put it toward appeal, item giveaways for staff and members of the community.

Would this qualify as a non-profit organization? Should I register this as a business? Just trying to avoid any tax issues for the future. Would also be nice to keep the Community separate from my personal taxes.