Four Steps towards Starting a Nonprofit

When thinking of starting a nonprofit, there is a fundamental question you must answer and answer correctly? That question is why?

“Why do I want to start a nonprofit?”

A nonprofit organization is a business, just like a for-profit; however, a nonprofit is formed for the purpose of fulfilling a mission to improve the common good of society rather than to acquire and distribute profits.

For a nonprofit to launch, grow and be sustainable until it achieves its mission; the founder must put the cause before him or herself. Can you honestly say, “It’s not about me.”?  

If you said yes, you are ready! So, let’s get started!

1.    CAUSE: What idea, cause, issue or concern has you thinking of starting a nonprofit? (Example: Children who don’t qualify for free lunch go hungry because their parents can’t afford to pay the daily reduced rate.)

___________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2.    MISSION STATEMENT: What would your nonprofit aim to do to address your cause? (Example: To ensure no child misses lunch at school because of their inability to pay.)

___________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3.    VISION STATEMENT: What would happen if you achieve your mission? (Example: Hunger-free schools where each child is well-nourished and prepared to learn.)

___________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4.    BOARD DEVELOPMENT: Who will support your vision?

Having the right people on your Board of Directors is critically important to not only the launch of your nonprofit but also to its long-term sustainability and overall impact. Now that you have the first draft of your Vision Statement, you can begin reaching out to prospective board members. These are people who will share in and support your vision. You should have one-on-one discussions with people who offer skills or expertise your nonprofit needs to achieve its goals. These people will need to agree to give of their TIME (attend meetings), TALENT (volunteer their expertise and skills), and TREASURE (donate generously to your cause). Though you will want to recruit at least five board members, you’ll need to reach out to at least twice as many prospects. List below the names of ten people who might support your cause by serving as a board member. Among those your recruit should be a lawyer, accountant, and someone who directly or indirectly will benefit from your nonprofit. In the example above, you might recruit the parent of a child who misses lunch because the family budget is limited.

NAME	ROLE/EXPERTISE	BEYOND ROLE/EXPERTISE, WHY THIS PERSON?
1)	Beneficiary Representative
2)	Lawyer
3)	Accountant
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
9)
10)

Congratulations, you are four steps closer to starting a nonprofit! Are you ready to take the next step? The Word Woman LLC can show you how. Contact us at info@thewordwomanllc.com to schedule a complimentary 60 minute-consultation.   

Keeping doing good!