You can stop scrolling the Internet.
Starting a nonprofit is much more complicated than most articles and websites would have you believe.
Wouldn't you like actual, step-by-step instructions that go logically from one set of actions to the next? Suggestions like:
These are some of the key steps just for an organization's legal formation. Most founders benefit from guidance during this time of planning and paperwork. The strongest, most successful and sustainable charities are created by working through the start-up activities that most people ignore. With planning and an advisor, you're guaranteed to sail through the hardest part of starting a charity- the work that comes AFTER formation: getting started.
- They leave out vital details like researching and developing program ideas.
- Not only do they get steps out of order, but they leave things out altogether.
- They oversimplifying important activities that can make or break your organization
- They talk about 'what' but don't talk about 'how'.
Wouldn't you like actual, step-by-step instructions that go logically from one set of actions to the next? Suggestions like:
- Vital pre-planning before you choose a name and incorporate
- Questions to ask before you get started, and who to ask
- Tips on building an initial advisory board
- Record-keeping to ensure you can either get reimbursed for expenses or claim a tax-deduction
- When to incorporate and file for an EIN
- When and how to register for IRS tax exemption
- The important and essential steps that must come between state incorporation and IRS exemption
These are some of the key steps just for an organization's legal formation. Most founders benefit from guidance during this time of planning and paperwork. The strongest, most successful and sustainable charities are created by working through the start-up activities that most people ignore. With planning and an advisor, you're guaranteed to sail through the hardest part of starting a charity- the work that comes AFTER formation: getting started.
You can start making a difference.
When you start a nonprofit, you will find yourself researching and planning, building your board of directors, organizing your structure, managing the finances, fundraising, grant-writing, creating policies, creating programs, and collaborating in the community. There are so many new activities that need to be done AFTER formation that most charities actually never get started.
Because of our experience in the nonprofit sector, we guarantee that you will gain the knowledge and tools to meet each new stage of starting a charity head-on. You'll know what to prioritize. You'll know where to find the resources you need, regardless of your background.
This way, you can focus on your mission, whether it's sheltering the disadvantaged, providing free healthcare, helping dementia patients, preventing violence, sharing the arts, or so many more amazing causes.
Bad Advice is Everywhere
The reality is, the process of starting a charity generally is not something that you can do or explain by putting together a short checklist. It's difficult to learn to write grants from taking a course. The fiscal management of a charity is different from bookkeeping for a for-profit business. Even accountants and lawyers get it wrong if charitable organizations are not their chosen and trained specialty.
It's not their fault. They've never been taught.
But for those of us that choose doing good as our calling in life, it is our responsibility, yours and mine, to learn the rules and best practices for managing a charity. I can help you because I have both experience and education to guide me.
You wouldn't want your mechanic guessing how to fix your car. Or your surgeon taking advice instead of getting real training on how to do your surgery. I have personally started or been instrumental in the start-up of five nonprofits as a founding employee, consultant or volunteer. I am now consulting start-up charities full-time. My graduate degree is in nonprofit planning and administration. I am a licensed consultant in my state and I am a trainer with my state center for nonprofits.
I encourage you to seriously consider joining our mentoring program. There are so many charities that never get off the ground that about 55 percent of all registered organizations make and spend less than $50,000 on their mission. Most of these report no income at all. Fully 75 percent of all US charities make and spend less than $100,000 per year.
What this means is that despite excellent intentions, most charities stall after they are formed. A charity is not "started" until you have a formed, organized and operating Board of Directors. It is not "started" until it is funded and providing programs. However, you can get your program fully formed, organized, funded, and "started" by serving your community sooner than you think, AND you can do it and still get a good night's sleep. Thrive South can do this with you.
Or, you can keep searching the Internet with your questions, looking for the next step, wondering when you'll really get started and wondering if you'll make a difference when you do.
Because of our experience in the nonprofit sector, we guarantee that you will gain the knowledge and tools to meet each new stage of starting a charity head-on. You'll know what to prioritize. You'll know where to find the resources you need, regardless of your background.
This way, you can focus on your mission, whether it's sheltering the disadvantaged, providing free healthcare, helping dementia patients, preventing violence, sharing the arts, or so many more amazing causes.
Bad Advice is Everywhere
The reality is, the process of starting a charity generally is not something that you can do or explain by putting together a short checklist. It's difficult to learn to write grants from taking a course. The fiscal management of a charity is different from bookkeeping for a for-profit business. Even accountants and lawyers get it wrong if charitable organizations are not their chosen and trained specialty.
It's not their fault. They've never been taught.
But for those of us that choose doing good as our calling in life, it is our responsibility, yours and mine, to learn the rules and best practices for managing a charity. I can help you because I have both experience and education to guide me.
You wouldn't want your mechanic guessing how to fix your car. Or your surgeon taking advice instead of getting real training on how to do your surgery. I have personally started or been instrumental in the start-up of five nonprofits as a founding employee, consultant or volunteer. I am now consulting start-up charities full-time. My graduate degree is in nonprofit planning and administration. I am a licensed consultant in my state and I am a trainer with my state center for nonprofits.
I encourage you to seriously consider joining our mentoring program. There are so many charities that never get off the ground that about 55 percent of all registered organizations make and spend less than $50,000 on their mission. Most of these report no income at all. Fully 75 percent of all US charities make and spend less than $100,000 per year.
What this means is that despite excellent intentions, most charities stall after they are formed. A charity is not "started" until you have a formed, organized and operating Board of Directors. It is not "started" until it is funded and providing programs. However, you can get your program fully formed, organized, funded, and "started" by serving your community sooner than you think, AND you can do it and still get a good night's sleep. Thrive South can do this with you.
Or, you can keep searching the Internet with your questions, looking for the next step, wondering when you'll really get started and wondering if you'll make a difference when you do.
Take a moment and visualize our six phases of start-up. There are several steps and activities that bring you closer to success in each phase. Many parts of the phases overlap. Some people want to jump ahead and start a quick and easy business. That's generally not possible with charities because the intent is to serve the public. Accountability, compliance, and sustainability are all expected and required pieces of the business plan. If you want to start a business quickly without all these steps, then let's talk about forming a for-profit corporation, partnership, or LLC.
Our training program is designed for the community-minded individual who is moved to make a difference. We will teach you the important aspects of starting a life-changing charity and give you a strong foundation.
Our training program is designed for the community-minded individual who is moved to make a difference. We will teach you the important aspects of starting a life-changing charity and give you a strong foundation.
Coaching, Mentoring and Resources
Our program, How to Start a Life-Changing Nonprofit, is a program based on mentoring and advising.
In as little as six months you can build your organizational foundation and get well on your way to sustainability. The actual legal formation takes a few days or weeks. But never forget, this is the process of building the foundation of your organization. Just like building your home, you can't go back and "start over" once the house is built.
After planning and formation, you'll go through the next four phases at your own pace. While the process of getting funding varies widely, your mentorship will cover all the elements of a fully formed, functioning, and mission-oriented organization:
When you choose Thrive South's comprehensive mentoring service when starting a nonprofit, I guarantee you'll organize faster, with less stress, more confidence, and a (much) greater chance at success. We offer a free, no-obligation phone or video consultation. Schedule now and decide if it's the time to take your mission and your organization to the next level.
In as little as six months you can build your organizational foundation and get well on your way to sustainability. The actual legal formation takes a few days or weeks. But never forget, this is the process of building the foundation of your organization. Just like building your home, you can't go back and "start over" once the house is built.
After planning and formation, you'll go through the next four phases at your own pace. While the process of getting funding varies widely, your mentorship will cover all the elements of a fully formed, functioning, and mission-oriented organization:
- Building an Effective Board of Directors
- Organization and Nonprofit Financial Management,
- Grant Writing
- Development of Fundraising Plan
- Fundraising
- Sustainability,
- Policy and Procedure, Compliance
- and more.
When you choose Thrive South's comprehensive mentoring service when starting a nonprofit, I guarantee you'll organize faster, with less stress, more confidence, and a (much) greater chance at success. We offer a free, no-obligation phone or video consultation. Schedule now and decide if it's the time to take your mission and your organization to the next level.
