On June 2009, Rock for Hunger kicked off it’s third year as a nonprofit organization. It is incredible to think how long we have been working on strengthening and building the foundations of the organization. Since 2006 we all have learned a lot about starting, organizing, and running a nonprofit organization.
Always wanted to start a nonprofit organizaton?
Ask yourself these questions:
Are you looking to duplicate efforts that already exist, or are your programs unique?
Can you make a bigger impact joining an existing organization?
Are you ready to take on a second full time job?
Are you ready to make a lifetime commitment?
It is inspiring to see how many individuals now days want to start their own nonprofit, and make a difference in the world. However, it is also very important to not just start a nonprofit, because you always wanted to start one. There are so many organizations out there competing for every dollar for the exact same mission. Be sure to either have a unique idea on how you can best make an impact, otherwise it may be better for you to put all of your energy and efforts into an existing organization. The only way we can truly change the world, and change make a bigger impact on our causes is to partner with others. Only by building a community/network of groups, can we truly put an end to hunger, poverty, cancer, diabetes, disease, and any other cause that we are fighting for. One individual can only do so much, but together we can change the world.
Seven key steps to starting a nonprofit organization:
1. Develop your Mission & Vision
Develop a clear mission of what you want to accomplish, and what your long term objective is. For example, here is the mission and vision of Rock for Hunger:
Mission: Rock for Hunger exists to inspire individuals of all cultures to join
together through music, education and peaceful solutions in order to end the
cycle of hunger and poverty.
Vision: To end the cycle of hunger and
poverty through education, life style design and career development solutions,
beginning with our local community and expanding to reach those in need across
the globe.
2. Compose your ByLaws
When writing your ByLaws make sure to state very clear all the responsibilities of Board Members, rules of the board, length of terms, when meetings take place, and any other important organizational information. I highly recommend you taking a class on writing your nonprofit ByLaws, and also read the
Best Guide for Nonprofits by Aretha Olivarez.
3. Set Specific Goals to accomplish your Mission & Vision
These will be variable as the organization grows, but when starting a nonprofit be clear to state the goals you wish to accomplish in a given year, half year, or quarter. For example, for the second half of 2009, Rock for Hunger has four specific goals: Fundraising, Obtaining a facility, building jobs for the needy, and strengthening our programs.
4. Assemble your Board of Directors
I will write more on your Board of Directors later. It is recommended to have an odd number of Board Memebrs, and it is frowned upon if family makes up a majority of the Board. The general textbook definition of good Board Members is someone who Gives and Asks. That’s all. They must be a donor, and need to build new donors. In Rock for Hunger we added two more things to their job description to make them great ambassadors.
Our Board Members must: Give, Ask, Recruit, and Participate.
5. File Articles of Incorporation
The Articles of Incorporation is a very easy application that you need to file with the states department of corporations. Save the legal fees and look at some sample applications from businesses in your state. You can pretty much search any business that filed in your state, and see how they filled out their application.
6. Obtain an EIN
Another extremely easy step! Once your Articles of Incorporations have been filled, and returned by the state, call the
IRS, and get a
EIN number for your nonprofit Organization. EIN stands for Employer Identification Number. You will need this to open a bank account, and to file for our 501(c)3 status.
7. Fill out the BEAST: the 501(c)3 Application
Here comes the monster! I will write more on this later, because this can’t be explained in a few sentences. Read through the entire application first, and start gathering materials as you read. Then there are many ways to go towards filling out this application. If you decide to do this by yourself, I highly recommend that you take a course, or read some book on filling your
501(c)3 application. This is not something you want to screw up. It can take anywhere from three months to one year to receive your 501(c)3 status. I have some organization obtain it in one month. 501(c)3 information to be continued….
Chris Goyzueta - Executive Director of Rock for Hunger
Stories of a Nonprofit CEO, pt. 004
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No matter the case, the three men of Urbe Prima are talented. Leo, the band’s frontman has been taking part in RFH events for over a year now. I remember witnessing him perform at the Ten Thousand Villages event about a year ago with G-Ro and the Sneakers. At the time, I had never met him, but I was pleased to discover him at such a fun event. Even without the band behind him, you could easily identify with his songwriting and knack for song construction.
