Deciding to Start a Nonprofit - Key Questions and Considerations

Nonprofit Organization Help

Nonprofit organizations have done tremendous good over the last century. The best of them are able to raise considerable amounts of capital that are then efficiently and effectively invested in activities that fill needs that may otherwise go on satisfied due to the imperfect world we all currently reside in. The beneficiaries are too many to count; Orphans, the poor, the hungry, the sick, etc. There is no doubt that our society, culture, and all of humankind have a need for the efforts and help the nonprofit world produces. No doubt there is room for more.

Perhaps you have seen this need. Maybe you even have a strong desire and will to do something
about it. If this is true then you may be tinkering with the idea of starting a nonprofit. If so you should first test your idea with some key questions and considerations.

I created this resource to help those individuals who are trying to figure out if deciding to start a nonprofit is the right decision for them.

Important Personal Considerations of Running a Nonprofit

Before you give yourself the go-ahead on creating a nonprofit make sure you contemplate the following considerations...

1. Less Personal Income - People who work in the nonprofit sector typically make less money than the person doing the same thing in the private sector. Make sure that you can live with this circumstance.
2. Self Sacrifice - It's Not Easy! There is a lot of planning and other work that goes into starting a nonprofit organization. There is typically a lot of personal sacrifice in time, money, resources, and other aspects of the life of the one who ventures to create one of these good doer groups.
3. This is Business - It is not too uncommon for folks who have big hearts and big hopes for helping the less fortunate to have a small interest in business matters. This is by no means an

   

   Careful research and consideration before deciding to start a nonprofit

   all-encompassing trait. Never the less you need to be sure that you are ready to start a business. If you don't think you could run a for-profit business successfully than I can promise you that you will not be able to run a successful nonprofit organization either. In fact, one could argue that it is harder to run a nonprofit organization than it is to run a for-profit business. You will need a business plan and a marketing plan just like you would if you were starting a regular small business. If you don't think you can handle it then you better make sure you secure some adequate business help before you move forward.

Two Important Questions to Ask Yourself Before Deciding Start a Nonprofit

Please take these questions seriously before moving forward with making a decision either way. They are essential to the overall success of the potential venture and your happiness.

Are You Passionate About this Idea?

This may seem like an obvious prerequisite to moving forward with such a venture. Just the same, it is imperative that you are motivated enough just by the mission and purpose of this future organization alone. I make a point to say "alone" because sometimes that is all you will get. Many folks who work long and hard hours to run a nonprofit are rewarded with nothing else but the notion that they are helping others. This question ties in with the considerations listed above. It is important to understand that a nonprofit unlike a for-profit exists solely to help. You may very well be able to have a good income. However, you must enter this venture with the purpose of helping and not the purpose of prospering. There is nothing wrong with prospering and good helpful companies often have the purpose of prospering... but that is not te purpose of a nonprofit.

Does Your Idea Satisfy a Need or Demand?

This is also a crucial prerequisite for starting a successful nonprofit group. Be sure that your purpose and mission satisfies an existing need of this world. An organization that provides dance scholarships for die-hard Yankee fans would not qualify as a legitimate need in my book. Nor does Xbox gaming lessons for inner-city kids in Detroit. Nor free doughnuts and cakes for the mentally challenged and wheelchair bound. All I ask is that you do a little research and obtain some real numbers and statistics that describe the existing need of the help you want to provide. If you can't find numbers then the need probably isn't there.

Making Your Final Decision and Deciding to Start a Nonprofit Organization

Well, I tried my best to scare you out of starting a nonprofit. If after considering all my important points to contemplate, and if you were able to answer "Yes" to the two important questions to ask yourself, then you have my blessing. Just make sure to plan it out and seek the help you need from qualified professionals that preferably will help you for free.

There is do doubt that this country and this world need more great help that nonprofit organizations have historically been able to provide. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and write up some tax deductions!

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