Image via Pexels
One of the most powerful motivations for human achievement is the desire to make a difference in the world. There are many ways to achieve this goal. Starting a non-profit to address a cause you are passionate about is one option. This comprehensive guide from Magvibes will help you get started.
Choose Your Cause
Several factors go into choosing the right cause for your nonprofit. First, it should be something you are passionate about, whether that is saving homeless animals, assisting victims of molestation, feeding children, or helping people find affordable housing. Second, it should be a cause for which you either already have or are willing to acquire significant relevant knowledge and experience.
Finally, it should be a cause where your nonprofit can bring something unique and useful to the table. According to the National Council of Nonprofits, there are over one million nonprofits in the United States. If there is already a nonprofit in your area addressing the cause you are interested in, you may be doing more harm than good trying to start another.
Finance Your Operations
Obtaining funding is one of the most challenging aspects of any nonprofit. Most nonprofits rely primarily on donations and grants for funding. How successfully you market your nonprofit plays a big role in convincing people and organizations to donate. Additionally, you can use websites such as Give Lively to help connect with people online who may be interested in donating.
An aesthetically pleasing logo that is designed to be eye-catching and memorable is an invaluable component of marketing your organization. Logos are a cinch when you use a tool, especially if you can’t afford to pay a professional designer. All you need to do is choose an icon that represents your organization, pick a style and add some text. Most logo makers feature a variety of fonts, colors, and designs to choose from.
Spread the Word Using Flyers and Other Tactics
Promoting your nonprofit on social media can be an incredibly effective way to reach a large audience quickly. By creating compelling content and sharing it on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, you can engage potential donors and raise awareness for your cause. Social media also gives you the ability to target specific demographics in your advertising, ensuring that your message gets in front of the right people. However, it’s important not to discount the value of traditional marketing tactics, such as handing out flyers at local events or setting up a booth at a farmers market. You can even make your own flyers for free using online apps and templates – give this a try if you’re interested. These tactics can also be effective in reaching local audiences and raising awareness for your nonprofit.
Recruit Volunteers
Labor is usually one of the largest expenses for-profit organizations have. Many nonprofits do not have the funding to pay for a full staff. You can supplement your paid staff with volunteers. However, you can’t just sit back and expect quality volunteers to fall into your lap. SignUpGenius points out that you must develop an effective recruitment system.
Before you start recruiting, work with your team to create a volunteer job description. Volunteers who do not feel like their skills are being properly utilized or who don’t know what is expected of them will probably leave. Create training materials to help new volunteers integrate into your operations. Determine what jobs you need volunteers to do and what skills volunteers need to do them. Target the people who have the skills you need, compellingly explain your mission and provide them with a reason to choose you over other opportunities.
Set Up and Run Your Organization
It’ll probably come as no surprise that setting up and running a nonprofit has many of the same challenges as a for-profit business along with some that are unique to the nonprofit sector. Like a for-profit business, you need to effectively manage your money. Nonprofit accounting software can help you track donations, generate and process invoices, create custom reports, categorize revenue, and keep track of your books. Additionally, you must make sure your organization keeps up with reporting and compliance requirements to maintain your status as a nonprofit.
Setting up a nonprofit is not a simple undertaking. However, by breaking the process into manageable steps – including choosing your cause, financing your operation, and recruiting volunteers – you can achieve your goals.
