Non-Profit organization how-to?

[Caduceus]

Is there a Non-Profit Organization for dummies? Or a class on how to do it?

A friend and I are throwing around the idea, and in all honesty I’ve always wondered about it.

I am aware there are many technicalities and loops you have to jump through, I don’t know what they all are however.

We haven’t worked out a mission statement or a specific purpose or anything like that yet, at the moment it’s just an idea.

In the event it gets fleshed out where do we start? Once we have our goals and our purpose how do we begin is I guess what I’m asking.

Also is the 503c what we should be looking into? I came across this http://www.form-a-corp.com/non-profits_QA.php

Sorry about the over all general and vague format the questions are in, I’m just trying to absorb information. :S

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[flowerpetal]

Talk to the Nonprofit Assistance Center.

http://www.nacseattle.org/

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[inactive]

flowerpetal’s link is probably a great place to start. My two cents is that, depending on objectives and timeline, you might want to consider fiscal sponsorship to get the ball rolling. There can be advantages to that as an org grows. But I’m NOT an expert. Just observed and done a wee bit of similar explorations.

NOT to discourage you from any such effort you might be considering, many npo’s fail due to trying to grab onto to too much at once. Sometimes strategic baby steps work better. Ask the nac peeps.

Good luck. And good for you. ;)

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[metrognome]

United Way of KC offers classes for non-profit board members, etc.

http://www.uwkc.org/partner-with-us/nonprofits/trainings/

as well as numerous publications on non-profits:

http://www.uwkc.org/partner-with-us/nonprofits/governance/

and, yes, there is a ‘non-profit for dummies’:

http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/understanding-nonprofit-ownership.html

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[Caduceus]

When serious discussions and political debates come up this forum can be infuriating.

But god damn, when I need help or information you guys are outstanding. :P

Thank you.

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[Sue]

Seattle Score was very helpful to me in setting up my business (although not non-profit) and they have people who can help you with info one-on-one (which was free) as well as classes. http://seattlescore.org/

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[metrognome]

It occurred to me that non-profit corporations have to register with the Wa Sec’y of State:

http://www.sos.wa.gov/corps/NonprofitCorporations.aspx

they also have a good publication on NFP responsibilities; p. 10 lists state resources:

http://www.sos.wa.gov/_assets/charities/QuickGuideHandbookFeb2011.pdf

you may also want to search the main state website for ‘non-profit’ as there are links to rules for reduced postage, etc.

http://access.wa.gov/

Lots to consider … good luck.

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[herongrrrl]

As a veteran of many non-profits (volunteer, employee, and founder), I would strongly suggest first volunteering at a non-profit that shares a focus area with what you are interested in creating yourself. Doing so will give you a very clear idea of how non-profits work if you haven’t had any experience with them before (and if you have, maybe you can skip that step). If you let them know up front that you’re interested in starting a non-profit on your own, you may get some good mentoring from the staff/board.

I would also recommend, if you haven’t done so already, looking very closely at the non-profit community in the area to be really sure that what you have in mind doesn’t duplicate something that already exists. With funding as tight as it is right now, throwing your energy into a startup when other established groups are already doing something similar could be extremely difficult. (On the other hand, ironically it is sometimes easier to get a start-up grant for a non-profit than it is to fund a longer-running program, so, YMMV.)

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[TDe]

Antioch University Seattle’s Continuing Education Program (downtown) usually has some sort of class going on about running a non-profit agency. Generally information is available on their website.

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[hammerhead]

My 2 cents on why I am NOT becoming a non-profit. Way to much trouble, you have to “ask” and or agree on what needs to be done when it comes to dealing with board member ect. The paperwork is exhausting to deal with and the taxes OMG.

I don’t know exactly what it is you are doing but I agree herongrrrl, find out what really goes on behind those “doors”. Sometimes it is not very pretty.

Then trying to find people to write grants. If the money you are getting for donations doesn’t pay in becoming a non-profit, like my rescue does not, it might be more trouble than it is worth. I don’t mean to rain on your parade, but I looked into this and talked to many people it wasn’t worth it to me.

Good luck again I don’t mean to rain on your parade.

FCAT

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[herongrrrl]

Remembered something else that may be useful…depending on what you want to do, it might be easier to become an incorporated non-profit LLC rather than a 501(c)3. And again, depending on what your scope of operations will be, 501(c)3 may not be the correct designation for you (for example, if you will be doing certain types of political lobbying/endorsement, you can’t be a 501(c)3, but I don’t recall offhand the designation you would have to have instead).

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[service dog academy]

The Service Dog Academy is an LLC because of the specific reasons hammerhead was talking about. Plus I would rather spend my time training then holding fundraisers. Just because you dont have an 5013c designation doesnt mean you cant operate your business like a non profit.

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[lucky chick]

Hi-

I would dissuade you from getting discouraged – we got our 501(c)3 quite easily and got guidance from the sources above and the IRS. Tax forms are a snap, and tax-exempt status shows your donors that your organization has legitimate (presumbly) oversight (your board). Not to mention that board guidance and “reality checks” are crucial to remaining a useful, current, and legitimate organization! There are numerous templates for legal documents, mission statements, policy statements, etc. online. As far as defining your mission, I strongly encourage you to use the MacMillan Matrix to guide you (you can find it online as well). Finally, I’m sure other 501(c)3s would be happy to talk to you! I mostly stayed out of our work on that front, so I have little more to offer. Good luck, you’ll be fine!

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