| Do you support a cause that you would like to | | | | works, but perhaps the timing is not quite right. First be |
| establish as a not for profit status organization? You | | | | sure that you have a solid team of people who would |
| may have a great idea and a passion for the cause, | | | | like to join you in your quest. You should all be focused |
| but be sure that starting a brand new nonprofit is the | | | | on a single vision and mission and agree upon the best |
| right way to go. | | | | plan of action for the future. You may find people in |
| Here are three reasons you may decide not to form a | | | | your community with similar interests by volunteering at |
| new not for profit organization. | | | | community events. Attend social clubs or other |
| 1. There is already an organization filling that need. | | | | meetings especially if they in some way relate to your |
| If you are seeking to fill a specific need in your | | | | cause. Join online forums, browse blogs or search |
| community, first contact other organizations with a | | | | Twitter and Facebook to see what other people are |
| similar mission. For example, say you find out that the | | | | saying about this issue. |
| grocery store throws away all its bakery goods at the | | | | When you do have people interested in participating |
| end of the day. You'd like to get that food into the | | | | you'll find that some are more committed than others. |
| hands of people that really need it. Contact your local | | | | When forming a nonprofit you must have a formal |
| food bank or other assistance nonprofit. Volunteer to | | | | board of directors who are willing to lead the effort. |
| coordinate the pick up of the leftover foods. The | | | | Then there will be others needed who can volunteer |
| same rings true for many causes seeking a national or | | | | their time on committees and fulfill other responsibilities. |
| international audience, do research to find out what | | | | 3.Your idea is better suited as a for-profit enterprise |
| organizations are already working in that space. | | | | If you would like to produce a product for sale to the |
| If the mission you'd like to tackle requires funding (as | | | | public, most of the time this falls into the for-profit |
| many do) if you can start as a "project" under an | | | | category. Starting a nonprofit is not a work-around for |
| existing NPO it may help you with getting grants and | | | | not being able to get a loan. |
| other funds. Foundations are more likely to fund | | | | I have also met those who want to run a one-person |
| projects under established nonprofits. You can also | | | | services business as a nonprofit. That is also not the |
| use this time to learn the ropes from experienced | | | | basis for a nonprofit organization. If you are lucky |
| nonprofit professionals. Then later once you have a | | | | enough to get your nonprofit status approved and |
| solid foundation you may decide to go out on your | | | | attract board members, your goal is not to then have |
| own. | | | | them there only to rubber stamp every thing you want |
| 2. You do not have other people "on board" yet. | | | | done. The executive director works for the board, not |
| You may have a great nonprofit organization in the | | | | the other way around. |