Learn how to start a non profit organization

While you are thinking about starting a non profit group, keep in mind that there are already almost a million and a half non profits organizations in the United States. Starting a non profit organization for which the purpose already exists in another organization will make it difficult to find donors and active roles to play in the community. Remember also that starting a non profit is often exhausting work and that many directors or founders have to keep a full-time paying job while they are developing their organization. Think about who is going to donate to your group and exactly how you will be using the money. It is also helpful to perform a needs assessment of the community in which you plan to start your organization; an unnecessary or inappropriate organization will be unlikely to find success.

If you’ve already decided on starting a non profit, it is easy to learn. How to start a non profit begins with getting help and usually this help has to be offered for free. Behind every good leader is an effective director’s board, as well as a trusted advisor within the organization and a wise mentor outside of the organization. The first thing you and your new board should do is create an effective name for the organization and a mission statement. A good mission statement will describe who benefits from the non profit and how they will do so, as well as the values of the group as a whole and how you want it to be viewed from the community. Then, hire a lawyer; this is especially important if you wish to become incorporated by the state to offer tax-exempt status.

Lawyers are also necessary to help write the articles of incorporation and to review personnel status throughout the lifetime of the organization. Then, you should open a bank account; open an account with a bank that has experience with non profits organizations, as they will be more realistic in their expectations and their advice. Once you have a lawyer and a bank account, you are free to hire an accountant to help keep meticulous records and an insurance agent to help with property and liability insurance, and who may be able to offer assistance further down the road with worker’s compensation, health insurance and life insurance.

Now that you have a good team behind you, it is time to write your articles of incorporation and submit them to the Secretary of State, who handles most affairs with non profits organizations, for approval. You should also write the bylaws of your organization- the dictates on how the board will manage the group. Before you start your group, file for tax exemption status, look at the laws for charitable organizations in your area, and obtain a mail permit from the United States Postal Service, which will significantly reduce the cost of bulk mail. Starting non profits organizations is a difficult task that requires a lot of work, but a successful group will be extremely beneficial to the community in the long run.