How to start a non-profit organization...?

Question

I just watched Born into Brothels which is a documentary about the children of prostitutes. It has inspired me to start an organization to help children of varied unhealthy backgrounds. I would like to begin a non-profit organization and eventually set up a school to harbor and teach these children. Do I have to have money to start this? If anyone has any info on where I can find out all about the process, I would greatly appreciate it.

Answer 1

Let me congratulate you for your project and i wish you all success !.

Nonprofit incorporation is very similar to creating a regular corporation except that a nonprofit must take the extra steps of applying for tax-exempt status with the state in which it incorporates and with the IRS.

The following steps should be taken :-

Select a name that is legally available in your state.

File your "articles of incorporation," and pay a filing fee.

Apply for federal and state tax exemptions.

Create bylaws that will dictate how the corporation is run.

Appoint an initial board of directors.

Hold the first meeting of the board of directors

Apply for any licenses or permits that your corporation will need to operate in your state and local municipality.

In order to qualify for tax-exempt (501c3) status , you should create a concept paper and document your ideas with the structure for the organization you propose and you must share your concept with like minded persons and involve them as initial founders.

Next step would be to contact an attorney to assist you in preparing incorporation filings in your state. After your organization in incorporated, obtain an employer ID number, and apply for 501c3 tax-exempt status with the IRS.

Your funding requirements will depend on various factors , for which you have to prepare a plan which will be of use to you in approaching potential funding sources  

Answer 2

Hi thats agreat idea that you have. I have worked for many NPO's and all their monies are funded through grants, charities and things like that. Please keep me posted on this. In the meant time I will definitely get some info for you.

Answer 3

First, consider volunteering for organization that helps at-risk children. Learn how such nonprofits work, and learn what qualifications are needed most among staff and volunteers who work with children. You may be able to do much more good joining an existing effort, rather than creating a brand new one.

If, after working with an existing organization, you find you still want to create your own organization, you first need to get a very impassioned group of people together who support your idea and will provide some start up funding and serve on the board of directors, you need to get letters of endorsement from existing organizations saying this program is needed, 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 need to have profiles of your staff showing they have experience and expertise, and you need to have a draft of what your first year's budget would look like (what expenses you expect to incur, what you expect to pay staff, etc.). You aren't going to have any money until you have donors, and you aren't going to have any donors until you have a viable, solid business plan for your nonprofits first five year's of existence. At some point, you need to decide if you are going to be a member of the board (and, therefore, not paid), or if you are going to be, say, the Executive Director, reporting to the board (and you can be paid -- and fired -- by the board).

And then there's the paperwork:

Starting a Nonprofit Organization

http://www.managementhelp.org/strt_org/s...

(one of my favorite resources)

Starting a Non-Profit

Checklist- The Things You Must Do to Start a Nonprofit Organization

http://www.ctnonprofits.org/pages/NonPro...

IRS Tax Information for Charitable Organizations

http://www.irs.gov/charities/charitable/...