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Step 1
Know what specific niche you wish to help within the art community with your nonprofit. Are you aiming for education? Awareness? Aid? Promotion? You must know why you are starting the nonprofit. While not important to begin with, it becomes very important in the steps below, especially in step 2 and 6.
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Step 2
Write out a business plan. This will help you identify ways to generate income for your nonprofit. This will also help you identify ways which the nonprofit can work with either limited or no capital to start with.
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Step 3
Start raising awareness of your nonprofit. While you are raising awareness, look for donations from the local community or other organizations. You will need both the awareness and financial contributions to move further. A good method for this is to have your own artwork on display in local libraries, businesses or photography studios where people can see and purchase your work.
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Step 4
Start selling art on commission. Find local artists or artists online who will be willing to have their work sold by you for a commission of the sales. This will not only help advance the art community, but also bring in needed funds. Set up shows in libraries to showcase the art. You can also try selling on websites such as Etsy or Ebay, which have art sections.
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Step 5
Attend craft fairs and expos to show off art and raise funds. Team up with another artist who can pay for the slot, offering to pay out of your first piece sold for your part of the space. You can also do face painting, drawings, cartoons and shows for admission or charge per piece. Arrange your own event in a park using local talent. You can sell spots or you can all set up and raise money together.
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Step 6
After you have raised about $500 using the steps above, get your nonprofit incorporated and registered with the IRS as a 501(c)3 organization. This will allow you to seek grants and funding from larger sources such as foundations and corporate sponsorships.
