How to Start a Youth Leadership Organization

A youth leadership organization is usually a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering and educating children ages 8 to 18 to become leaders and to develop their natural leadership abilities. Youth leadership organizations usually hold several camps, programs or events aimed at teaching these qualities. Starting a youth leadership organization takes hard work, dedication and a passion for helping youths increase their self-esteem, confidence and social skills. Creating goals and finding volunteers who are willing to help you is the first step toward building a successful nonprofit youth organization.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Nonprofit resources Volunteers Fliers Grants or sponsorships

1. Create your mission statement and goals. A mission includes the purpose and goals of the organization, along with the objective audience and who the organization will benefit. Mission statements can be as short as one sentence or as long as a page or two, depending on what the organization needs to convey in its statement.

2. Incorporate and exempt your nonprofit youth leadership organization. Incorporating a nonprofit isn't very costly and will protect you from some legal liability. Filing for nonprofit tax-exempt status will lower your tax burden and qualify you for reduced postage rates. Be sure to research the steps toward incorporation and tax-exempt status in your state.

3. Find people to help. People who are interested in your youth leadership organization will be more likely to volunteer to help with events and to serve on the board of directors. Place fliers in day-care centers, schools, churches and on community message boards will spread the word about your new organization.

4. Plan yearly fundraisers and apply for grants. Additionally, the federal government and other corporations may have grants available for youth-oriented programs. Finding corporate sponsors and grant money will help create a healthy nonprofit organization that can help as many youths as possible.

5. Plan youth programs. Because the main aspiration of youth leadership organizations is to provide leadership development training to children, it is important to schedule annual or regular camps, learning days and field trips that will provide this training. An annual weekly summer camp is a great way to provide advanced leadership training. After-school clubs and weekend trips can also provide great training opportunities. If the budget allows, providing scholarships will reduce costs for youths from low-income families.