To start or not to start?

So, you want to start a nonprofit? Congrats! You are probably an awesome person with a noble cause. You have passion and drive. You want to do good in the world. You are a dedicated, hard worker with clear values. Establishing a nonprofit is a wonderful way to give back to the community and help those in need.

Before starting a nonprofit, there are three key questions you should ask yourself. These questions will help you identify if you really should start a nonprofit or not

1. Is someone else already doing it?

If a nonprofit with your idea already exists, why should you start another one? How will yours be different? What unique problem will you solve? What is your edge? Can you clearly articulate your mission statement? Could you give a 20-second elevator pitch about why your nonprofit idea is necessary? If you do not have solid answers to these questions, perhaps it would be better to partner with a nonprofit that already exists rather than starting your own.

2. How will you pay for it?

Many nonprofit founders are surprised by the amount of time it takes to start fundraising for their organization. The United States has over 1.8 million registered nonprofits and the market is highly competitive. Getting money from donors and receiving grants can be a major challenge. The resources for nonprofits are few and far between. You will likely need to invest some of your own money into a new nonprofit. Even though your new organization is nonprofit, you will need a detailed business strategy and determination of an entrepreneur for it to be successful.

3. Who is going to help you?

You cannot do this alone. At a minimum, you must have a supportive board that you can trust to help with your nonprofit. You need people on your team who are effective communicators, organized, and passionate about your purpose. Friends and family may provide valuable assistance, but you might need to search elsewhere for mentors and specialized professionals to fulfill your dreams of starting a nonprofit. Recruiting talented staff and volunteers is crucial to help the organization grow.

Do you feel good about your answers to these three essential questions? If you are confident you have what it takes and are ready to begin the process of forming your nonprofit, contact our team and we can help you accomplish your mission. You can also click here to learn more about how to start a nonprofit in Kansas or Missouri.

Additional Resources:

https://www.npconnect.org/start-a-nonprofit/

https://www.councilofnonprofits.org/tools-resources/how-start-nonprofit