How to Start a Non-Profit Group

Most people think of a non-profit group as an organization that is tax exempt. It is possible to start a non-profit group without having to go through those hoops. A non-profit group is one that is not out to make a profit for the board of directors.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Make a Plan Before you Begin

1. Come up with a clear idea of what your organization is and what it wants to be.

2. Form basic guidelines and a time table to show how you will get from idea to idea.

3. Meet with other interested members to bounce ideas off of each other. Keep a list of all the ideas.

Begin the Plan

4. Write out a mission statement. Make two points (use action verbs) about what your organization intends to accomplish.

5. Set the main goals. Make a list of broad ideas that non-profit group hopes to manage.

6. Tell more about who you are. Principles and values can guide your non-profit group when it decides on activities or directions. Lay out core statements that show those beliefs.

7. Formulate a strategic plan that will give action to the goals you mentioned earlier.

8. Lay out long term goals for where your non-profit group wants to be in five years and ten years. This will help people (potential members or donors) get an idea of your vision.

Put Action Behind the Plan

9. Pick officers for your non-profit group. There only needs to be one in the beginning.

10. Use Robert’s Rules of Order, or some similar guideline, to determine how your meetings will be run, how your officers will be chosen and any criteria for your members.

11. Set a meeting schedule--once a month, once a year or how ever often your founding members feel is needed to get things done and keep them on track.

12. Start keeping minutes of all your meetings for future records.

13. Consult a lawyer to fill out the paper work. The initial documents are not difficult and could probably be done in house, but it might be a good idea to let a professional fill out the paper work. Some lawyers might be willing to do the work for you as a contribution to the non-profit group.

14. File your paper work at the local court house or any where else your state requires. There will probably be a minimal fee for the filing.

Tips & Warnings

• Start your non-profit group with guidelines that are easily transferred over to tax exempt status. You can check the federal government website to see what groups qualify for tax exempt status.