How would you start a charity?
My idea might be WAY out there… But the thing is, a few years ago, I was extremely hard up for money, renting a room from someone who could care less about me or my kids, being a single parent is HARD. I needed a refrigerator to keep in my room, and couldn’t afford to buy one. I posted a random ad online, and a lady actually responded, found one for sale, and bought me the $65 dollar fridge. Ever since then I have been a member of wish upon a hero, and I do what I can when I can, but being a single parent still, I can’t do it as much as I would like. I would love to raise money to give to people in need more often. I was browsing Ebay and came across a few celebrity things. I had this crazy idea to try and Email certain people asking if they had anything to donate that could be sold on Ebay for a profit to donate clothing and food to people in need. Obviously I’m not a business, and people would just think "Yeah right, your REALLY gonna donate the money" So I’m wondering if there is any way to make this official. I really only want to give back what I received in the past. Money comes and goes like that.. But there is nothing like giving a child a pair of comfortable shoes, or a jacket, and giving the mother the feeling that there is a little hope.
You first need a business plan, in writing:
* What services will this nonprofit provide?
* What statistics and testimonials do you have that prove this organization is needed?
* Will the organization charge for these services? If so, how much?
* What will these services achieve? How will you prove those achievements?
* How much will providing these services costs — rental space, computer, registration as a nonprofit with the federal and state, paying staff or consultants, equipment, etc.?
* How will the organization account for donations, income earned and expenses?
* What will be done to protect your clients, volunteers, staff members and others from exploitation of any kind?
* What will you do to ensure your organization is free from corruption and mismanagement, beyond just promises and assurances?
After you have written this business plan, you recruit a board of directors — people over 18 who are willing to be fiscally and legally responsible for your organization, willing to provide some of the start up costs (even a token amount), and willing to put their reputations on the line to say this organization should exist. Then you file your official paperwork with the correct government body. Also, open a bank account in the name of your nonprofit business.
If it all sounds like too much, then why not find an existing organization that assists people in need and volunteer for them?
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