|
|
| *Ostroff, Fair and Company>>>Government & Non-Profit |
Where do i begin in starting a non-profit organization or foundation? |
hello :] i really want to start a foundation/ non-profit organization for abused babies. i was touched by stories of SBS survivors and non-survivors and feel like i want to dedicate my life to this cause. i want to know, where do i begin? for the moment i live in germany [army] and don't know how much i can do from here. but i will do all that i can. i want to also have the organization deal with art, i'm a scrapbooker and painter, and wanted to tie that in to everything. maybe try to make some things for the babies, or sell them and have the proceeds go towards the foundation. this idea is really fresh, but its definitely something i want to do. any help is greatly appreciated!!! thanks in advance :] You will have to incorporate as a 501(c)(3) to be legally a non-profit entity. But, that is just paperwork. It sounds like you need to focus on what your mission will be first. You have lots of good ideas and a drive to help others, but you are lacking total focus of what your end goal is. The first thing I would do would be to search the internet and see what other non-profits are already out there offering services to babies, where they are located, what services they offer, how their are funded, etc. Once you have done that, you'll have more ideas on how to formulate your own mission - what they are doing well that you want to emulate, what others are already doing in your area that you don't want to duplicate, etc. Then, spend so time on a mission statement - this statement should not have one word in it that is not meaningful to your cause - it should be succinct but full of clear meaning. When a funder or volunteer or potential patron of your non-profit reads it, they will know exactly what you are doing and why. This can be the hardest thing to write - a succinct statement that doesn't include unneccessary words, is clear, etc. Then, gather some others around you who believe also in your cause. These people can be your board. Think about community leaders as well who can help you fundraise and find the resources you need to get off your feet. At this point, I think you are then ready to start your paperwork with the IRS. Starting a non-profit is not any easier than starting a for-profit business - a start up company of any kind is time consuming and requires resources you may or may not have. Finding ways to acquire those resources in the most cost effective way can be challenging for any new business. Best of luck to you. This link might have more info than you need, but Yale has one of the best nonprofit education programs in the country. Here is their link to the non profit resource center where you can get many of your questions answered. http://www.ventures.yale.edu/aboutresour... Yale School of Managment In the US - you would have to incorporate as a Non profit and then file application with the IRS for 501c3 waiver status as a non-profit From there - you would need to build a staff - mostly volunteers, and begin fundraising and such. You can have a business in operation, but all income generated by it must pay only staff slaries and meet needs of the operation, no profits can go into the directors of the agencies pockets. |
Finance Categories--Copyright/IP Policy--Contact Webmaster |