As the economic slump continues, the number of Americans needing assistance continues to multiply. The need for volunteers becomes more crucial as budgets tighten. Although the struggles of existing non-profits have succeeded in making mainstream media headlines, hope lies ahead.
According to Volunteering in America, a report by the Corpration for National and Community Service, the number of hours being devoted to volunteering is on the rise. Volunteering in America reported, "Nearly 61 million Americans volunteered in their communities in 2007 giving 8.1 billion hours of service worth more than $158 billion to America's communities."
The organization also concluded that "college towns are hot spots for volunteering." The University of Kansas Center for Community Outreach, which reported to have 2,292 registered volunteers, supports 15 different student volunteer-led programs. In addition to its core programs, it the center also works with more than 60 other local programs. Since 2005, the center reported 12, 859 volunteer hours have been served.
Volunteer opportunities on campus seem to be abundant, but sometimes that's just not enough. In the case of Hannah Parkinson, she wanted to do more.
Hannah Parkinson, University of Kansas senior, decided a one time volunteer trip or donation wasn't enough. She started her own nonprofit organization last June after returning from a trip to South Africa. Although Parkinson's story is aspiring, not all are cut our for the job. When it comes to starting your own nonprofit, the to-do list is pretty lengthy. Here is a look at things to consider when contemplating starting your nonprofit.
Getting Started
Before committing yourself, Parkinson says one thing is crucial; you have to want it. "Its really a pain in the butt," Parkinson said. "It's a lot of writing, a lot of planning, but that being said its well worth it."
Candace Vanice founded SILK Empowered in May of 2008. Learn more about her organization and how she got started.
When jump-starting your work as a philanthropist, start with defining your purpose. In this step you should put a lot of though and consideration in to the goals of your organization, both long and short term. You also need to determine your board of directors, who else is going to be involved. There is another crucial task you most complete before moving on to the next step, naming your organization. Although this task may seem simple at first thought, its more challenging than you may suspect.
Tax-empt status
"Nonprofit organizations with charitable, educational, scientific, religious or cultural purposes have tax-empt status under section 501-(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code," according to boardsource.org.
Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations exempt from federal income taxes are automatically exempt from Kansas income taxes, according to Hurwit & Associates.
The crucial task for this step is estimating financial status. This step can be very time-consuming and requires attention to detail. You need to include estimates of how much you plan to bring in every year, how much you plan on spending and if paying board members you need to prove the determined salary is fair.
It is normally advised for organizations to wait at least six months before applying for tax-empt status.
Of her experience Parkinson said, "The first couple of months within starting your organization, your family and friends will be excited and overwhelming supportive resulting in a big surge of donations. Eventually this will taper off allowing you to get a more accurate financial estimate."
Action
Now that your non-profit is off and running, it is time to put your hard work into action.
"Literally the way to grow is to meet people every day and talk about it. If you do that the support will come," said Candace Vanice, founder of SILK Empowered. "Support will come as long as your cause is something that is worth while and is needed."
Creating awareness of your organization is crucial to its success. Tactics for creating publicity may include sending press releases to the media, partnering with other organizations, hanging flyers, using word-of-mouth and launching a Web site.
Learn how Candace overcame some of the obstacles of starting your own nonprofit.
While gaining publicity is great for your organization, fundraising is going to be the end determinate of your organization's success.
"There is no point in being a non-profit," Parkinson said, "if you can't raise the money every month. It is important to get the word out there and let people know what you are doing.
The possibilities are limitless as long as the passion is there. "If you have a deep passion for it, you just have to go out, get it done and stay with it."
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According to Volunteering in America, a report by the Corpration for National and Community Service, the number of hours being devoted to volunteering is on the rise. Volunteering in America reported, "Nearly 61 million Americans volunteered in their communities in 2007 giving 8.1 billion hours of service worth more than $158 billion to America's communities."
The organization also concluded that "college towns are hot spots for volunteering." The University of Kansas Center for Community Outreach, which reported to have 2,292 registered volunteers, supports 15 different student volunteer-led programs. In addition to its core programs, it the center also works with more than 60 other local programs. Since 2005, the center reported 12, 859 volunteer hours have been served.
Volunteer opportunities on campus seem to be abundant, but sometimes that's just not enough. In the case of Hannah Parkinson, she wanted to do more.
Hannah Parkinson, University of Kansas senior, decided a one time volunteer trip or donation wasn't enough. She started her own nonprofit organization last June after returning from a trip to South Africa. Although Parkinson's story is aspiring, not all are cut our for the job. When it comes to starting your own nonprofit, the to-do list is pretty lengthy. Here is a look at things to consider when contemplating starting your nonprofit.
Getting Started
Before committing yourself, Parkinson says one thing is crucial; you have to want it. "Its really a pain in the butt," Parkinson said. "It's a lot of writing, a lot of planning, but that being said its well worth it."
Candace Vanice founded SILK Empowered in May of 2008. Learn more about her organization and how she got started.
When jump-starting your work as a philanthropist, start with defining your purpose. In this step you should put a lot of though and consideration in to the goals of your organization, both long and short term. You also need to determine your board of directors, who else is going to be involved. There is another crucial task you most complete before moving on to the next step, naming your organization. Although this task may seem simple at first thought, its more challenging than you may suspect.
Tax-empt status
"Nonprofit organizations with charitable, educational, scientific, religious or cultural purposes have tax-empt status under section 501-(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code," according to boardsource.org.
Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations exempt from federal income taxes are automatically exempt from Kansas income taxes, according to Hurwit & Associates.
The crucial task for this step is estimating financial status. This step can be very time-consuming and requires attention to detail. You need to include estimates of how much you plan to bring in every year, how much you plan on spending and if paying board members you need to prove the determined salary is fair.
It is normally advised for organizations to wait at least six months before applying for tax-empt status.
Of her experience Parkinson said, "The first couple of months within starting your organization, your family and friends will be excited and overwhelming supportive resulting in a big surge of donations. Eventually this will taper off allowing you to get a more accurate financial estimate."
Action
Now that your non-profit is off and running, it is time to put your hard work into action.
"Literally the way to grow is to meet people every day and talk about it. If you do that the support will come," said Candace Vanice, founder of SILK Empowered. "Support will come as long as your cause is something that is worth while and is needed."
Creating awareness of your organization is crucial to its success. Tactics for creating publicity may include sending press releases to the media, partnering with other organizations, hanging flyers, using word-of-mouth and launching a Web site.
Learn how Candace overcame some of the obstacles of starting your own nonprofit.
While gaining publicity is great for your organization, fundraising is going to be the end determinate of your organization's success.
"There is no point in being a non-profit," Parkinson said, "if you can't raise the money every month. It is important to get the word out there and let people know what you are doing.
The possibilities are limitless as long as the passion is there. "If you have a deep passion for it, you just have to go out, get it done and stay with it."
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