Starting a Nonprofit Organization

How deep does your passion truly run?

There is nothing more altruistic that standing up for those that cannot advocate for themselves or getting involved in a cause that helps supply resources for those in need. Nonprofit organizations are established as charities developed to address issues that create situations of disparity and inequity.

Sometimes our passions get the best of us; and that's fine. Nothing motivates action more than passion. However, when comes to creating a nonprofit organization, passion may not be enough to withstand its implementation and ongoing sustainability. There is somewhat of a mythical thought process to nonprofit startup:

Myth One: My service/program helps people, it will be funded.

There are many programs in the world that were created to address a need; they also have a long-standing track record of service delivery, financial sustainability, and outcomes. As a startup you have very little, if any of these things.

What can you do?

First, decide if your vision warrants starting an organization or if what you have is a really good program. There is nothing wrong with having a really good program; in fact the program can become a business venture or product that can be sold for profit. If you take this route, you maintain ownership of the concept and the product. If you decide to pursue the nonprofit road, this concept becomes public property. Nonprofits are "Public Charities", they cannot be owned.

Two, identify a nonprofit program that has a mission that is representative of your idea or concept. Search that website and to determine if their programs or service population can benefit from your program. Collaborate and partner.