What charity????

Question

Okay, i'm 17 and i live in Texas. I want to start a charity(or foundation or whatever it might be called).

I was going to do a charity for darfur but im not sure Cause they dont need the money all they need is an no fly zone but still i want to help the kids in africa what would be a good charity program should i do?

My question is what do i need to do to start this type of foundation?

What papers should i file?

Who should i contact?

Also is it possible for me to start this kind of project since i am 17 or do i have to be 18?

Any other information also helpfull...thanks!!!

Answer 1

To start a nonprofit, 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.).  

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/...

Want an easier way to help? Volunteer with an organization that already exists and helps kids in Africa (and, for the record, charities in Darfur do need money).

http://www.volunteermatch.org

http://www.idealist.org

http://www.change.org

Answer 2

Have you looked at organizations that are already working towards the same things you want to do?  

Kids for Kids is working with people in Darfur.

Do a web search for Darfur Charity and you'll come up with lots of links to possible places you can help.