Anyone ever start a Non profit Org?

Champagne Breakfast

I'm in the midst of putting together a little non profit group where our music events will generate proceeds to charity. Not all that unique and earth shattering but i think our niche is we will not only be aligned to a certain charity or group nor will we only put on events when disasters happen. The missions are to work with as many charities as possible and secondary .... to aid in school music programs. We dont have a title yet as this is still in its infancy but wanted to get feedback/ideas and see if anyone has expereince in this area.

thanks.

polaris_x

i started one associated with a paddling school i'm part of ... we raise money and redistribute to other causes (mainly environmental but also non-affiliated aid agencies) ... a few things:

* to get charitable status with tax receipts is an amazingly bureaucratic process as would be expected - depending on where you are and how much you plan on raising, it probably is not worth the hassle

* you will need to foster good faith amongst the people who will give - no one likes seeing their money go to things other than what they think ...

Champagne Breakfast

polaris_x wrote:

i started one associated with a paddling school i'm part of ... we raise money and redistribute to other causes (mainly environmental but also non-affiliated aid agencies) ... a few things:

* to get charitable status with tax receipts is an amazingly bureaucratic process as would be expected - depending on where you are and how much you plan on raising, it probably is not worth the hassle

* you will need to foster good faith amongst the people who will give - no one likes seeing their money go to things other than what they think ...

thanks for your feedback. silly question --- when you say probably not worth the hassle,...do you mean starting the non profit org in general or trying to get charitable status with tax receipts?

polaris_x

Champagne Breakfast wrote:

thanks for your feedback. silly question --- when you say probably not worth the hassle,...do you mean starting the non profit org in general or trying to get charitable status with tax receipts?

oh - the charitable status ... you will need to keep detailed financial records ... and do all kinds of admin for it ... we just take the money and give it back out ...

haffajappa

You might also want to talk to FoxyMop or evil closet monkey...
they run the Wishlist Foundation... and particularly helpful people!! (among others who are a part of Wishlist!)

I'm sure they could give you some tips.

KDH12

tired once to start a NFP to teach kids photopgraphy as an afterschool program

went well for a few years with no money

but I had to move on too much work and not enough resources.... most successful NFP's start with someone, even if they are a silent partner, who has significant money

mickeyrat

Your states Sec. of State should have all the info you need. Sat in on a class held by The United Way about this very thing. There is Federal and State level hoops to jump through.Maybe go to UW's web site and see if and or when such a class is held in your area?

Pepe Silvia

you can also raise money through http://www.goodsearch.com/ if someone selects your non profit and uses their search engine, which uses yahoo's, it donates money to that organization. it's only 1 cent per search but it can add up over time. the non profit i work at has only gotten a little over $120 but it still helps!

Heatherj43

Get a book about grant writing, it will include grant proposals. That is what you need to do first. It will tell you how to get grants and how to keep the money coming.
I'm a social worker and grant writing was one of the classes, but a book is all you need. There are tons of grants just waiting for stuff like this.
Hope your venture goes as planned or better!