How hard would it be to start a non profit organization?

Question

Homeless

Answer 1

The Nonprofit FAQs (http://www.nonprofits.org), now hosted at IdeaList, will give you information on all the paperwork you will need to file and administrative tasks you will have to go through in order to form a nonprofit. There are also tips on recruiting a board of directors.

But first, you need to get a very impassioned group of people together who support your idea, you need to get letters of endorsement from existing organizations saying this program is needed, and you need to have data that shows your target group is in need whatever service it is that you want to provide and that they are not served otherwise. You can't just say, "We need this." You need to be able to show, in a fact-based way, that "this" is needed.

Your small group of supporters needs to get together to draft a business plan and a strategic plan for at least the next five years, showing how you will address whatever issue it is you are going to address. You will also need to have a budget regarding how much you think you will need in financing, and exactly for what -- this needs to be fully documented, not just in your head.

Once you have the nonprofit officially formed, you will need to get fiscal systems in place (for the tracking and reporting of donations), and you will have to have seed money from yourself, the board members, and other supporters -- corporations, government programs, foundations and individuals won't donate unless they see that YOU are willing to also donate financially, as well as having all of the aforementioned in place.

Answer 2

The hardest thing to do is if you dont have seed money to start with. Once you have budget to start things will go smoothly. All legal matters follows including implementations of the projects or programs you intend to do.

Answer 3

well not to discourage you but I am trying to do such a thing now. I have come to many closing of the doors as we say.It seems that no one wants to even donate anything unless you have a non profit tax number, so the donate can still receive money back on their taxes at the end of the year it's truly unbelievable that NO one will do anything unless they can fill their own pockets with cash, But I want to wish you all the luck and prayers to start something.Be very persistent in everything you do and that will go a long ways.

Answer 4

It isn't that difficult, but keep in mind what a non profit organization is defined as. An organization with this classification must operate within specific legal boundaries. You should consult an attorney for more information. Good luck; your cause is noble.