Can anyone tell me how to start my own non-profit mentoring program. How much would i need to start it, etc ?Let me congratulate you for your project and i wish you all success !.
Nonprofit incorporation is very similar to creating a regular corporation except that a nonprofit must take the extra steps of applying for tax-exempt status with the state in which it incorporates and with the IRS.
The following steps should be taken :-
Select a name that is legally available in your state.
File your "articles of incorporation," and pay a filing fee.
Apply for federal and state tax exemptions.
Create bylaws that will dictate how the corporation is run.
Appoint an initial board of directors.
Hold the first meeting of the board of directors
Apply for any licenses or permits that your corporation will need to operate in your state and local municipality.
In order to qualify for tax-exempt (501c3) status , you should create a concept paper and document your ideas with the structure for the organization you propose and you must share your concept with like minded persons and involve them as initial founders.
Next step would be to contact an attorney to assist you in preparing incorporation filings in your state. After your organization in incorporated, obtain an employer ID number, and apply for 501c3 tax-exempt status with the IRS.
Your funding requirements will depend on various factors , for which you have to prepare a plan which will be of use to you in approaching potential funding sources . The National Mentoring Partnership provides complete details:
http://www.mentoring.org/start_a_program...
For starting a nonprofit to host your mentoring program:
Starting a Nonprofit Organization
http://www.managementhelp.org/strt_org/s... (one of my favorite resources)
Starting a Non-Profit
Checklist- The Things You Must Do to Start a Nonprofit Organization
http://www.ctnonprofits.org/pages/NonPro...
Starting a Nonprofit Organization - How to Start a Nonprofit http://nonprofit.about.com/od/nonprofitb...
How to Start a 501c3 Nonprofit Organization
http://www.wikihow.com/Start-a-501c3-Non... V.T.V.Ram gave you a pretty good rundown on the steps you need to take to start your non-profit organization. There is quite a bit or organizing required but it is doable and my opinion is that non-profits can be very good economic development tools.
I particularly like the idea of a non-profit mentoring program because is so badly needed. I developed some low-income programs with that very thought in mind. I hope you will contact me as you move forward becaue I would like to contribute-- nononorman1@yahoo.com
Getting started for a non-profit is a little different approach than a for-profit. You are in the business of selling an ideal and have to gather a critical mass of human support before you can begin thinking of money issues. The success you have isn't measured directly in dollars, but you should know that continued funding ultimately boils down to the fact you provide a more economically beneficial solution than would a similar government program. As the founder of a non-profit, you have quite an emotional equity at stake...you have to be prepared to let that go because the non-profit doesn't have owners per se. The startup phase requires the presence of a "Dreamer", and that is presumably you. The startup board has to be energetic and enthusiastic...all the better if you have a board with professional and business expertise. Your board is going to be critically important so pick it wisely. Among other things, a board has to understand that they become replaceable. Their important job is to build momentum. There will be something like a honeymoon period but it is inevitable that the needs of your organization will change and your board (and you) need to be able to accept that.
For some ideas about how to obtain funding, look into the NW Area Foundation http://www.nwaf.org/
Your concept could provide services to community-minded organizations, housing authorities, youth programs, microenterprise projects and many others. |
