[historylme]

I'm starting my own non-profit and I have done a lot of researching on line and currently working on the 503C status and all that Jazz.

However, I was wondering if you guys had a site or two about fundraising... I"m not happy with what I found.

Has anyone started and actually took a non-profit off the ground?

Cheers, and thanks in advance.

ps. My non-profit is to help out in empowering youths in high school.

[Tulkas]

And you would want to NOT make profit why??

[gorickey]

Originally posted by Tulkas:
And you would want to NOT make profit why??

...because it's a non-profit.

[AKcrab]

Originally posted by Tulkas:
And you would want to NOT make profit why??

Sarcasm?
You can pay employees very well, have a nice office complex, offer cool benefits, and be not-for-profit. It just means everything you make above and beyond expenses (i.e. profit) goes to "your cause"...

Oh, and there are tax breaks and all kinds of cool stuff, but I don't think you really were asking a question..

[ambush]

Originally posted by Tulkas:
And you would want to NOT make profit why??

Because some of us don't want that Mercedes SUV....

some of us want to help people and make a career out of it.

Non profit != being poor.
Non profit = living with what you really need.

[brachiator]

Hey, if you are in Berkeley, you might want to try to get in touch with someone at Cal at either the Haas School of Business (which I believe has a non-profit management program) or the law school (Boalt), which I think also has at least some courses focusing on non-profits. I'm afraid that I don't know to which professors to direct you, but you should be able to suss it out on the websites (linked of of www.berkeley.edu)

good luck with your plans!

[Tulkas]

Man, you guys jumped on me like a badger on giant wheel of swiss cheese. I was just joking..

I don't know much about non-profit's in the US. Do you have to have 503C status?

Oh, and I much rather have an Acura SUV.

[Socially Awkward Solo]

Did you know these so called "volunteers" don't even get paid?

[Tulkas]

Originally posted by Socially Awkward Solo:
Did you know these so called "volunteers" don't even get paid?

Shocking :o

[Mastrap]

Originally posted by history1me:
My non-profit is to help out in empowering youths in high school.

To do what? Drink beer? Sign me up Scotty

[AKcrab]

Originally posted by Socially Awkward Solo:
Did you know these so called "volunteers" don't even get paid?

I thought that was the definition of volunteer. Did I miss more sarcasm?

[Socially Awkward Solo]

Originally posted by AKcrab:
I thought that was the definition of volunteer. Did I miss more sarcasm?

You also missed an episode of the simpsons.

[mitchell_pgh]

I've worked on the full range of non-profit fundraisers for some VERY big nonprofit organizations to mom and pop jobs.

What specifically are you looking to do. Are you going to have programs or send educational literature to schools etc.

I've been looking for a non-profit to help out (free of charge until it gets out of hand).
I designed envelopes, letters, BRE etc. etc.

Feel free to PM me for more into.

Best ideas regarding direct mail. Start collecting names and addresses NOW, long before receiving nonprofit status. They will come in handy later. Also, get ready to spend a ton of time following up...

Blatant cut and paste...

1. Petitions aren't an afterthought.
Petitions are very effective, but only if they are integral to the mailing. Mentioning it on the side will not produce the same effect.

2. Use a serif font with a small typeface.
Serifs make letters more distinctive from one another, increasing the reader's ability to discern them in a small font such as eight- or ten-point.

3. Test your teasers.
Although teasers worked well in the past, since then they have become too common to be distinctive. Currently, they often decrease response instead of increase it unless it refers to an emergency or a field program that the recipient can relate to.

4. Handwritten envelopes get opened.
And handwritten cards are especially effective at increasing your percentage of response from lapsed donors.

5.Use the four I's when cultivating large donors.
To attract large donors, it is useful to remember the principle of the four I's. Give them Information, which develops Interest, which garners Involvement, which will eventually lead to Investment.

6. Beware of premium packages.
Premium packages have the unfortunate dual nature of attracting attention while threatening to cheapen your image. This is why premiums sometimes increase response while decreasing the average gift.

7. Send premiums donors can use.
On the other hand, a simple premium that the donor can use to subtly promote your organization � that incidentally may also say something about the donor him or herself � may be the most successful.

8. Organizations that advertise their financial woes won't attract donations.
In a bad economy, donors don't like to read that non-profits are hurting for cash. If you have a financial need, you can speak about it in a positive way, which is usually best accomplished by relating it to a program.

9. Matching gifts can improve you revenues.
Remind your donors about matching gifts. The more you remind donors to secure a matching gift through their employer, the more contributions your organization will receive.

10. Use a story on the business reply card.
People like to give to people. Use a compelling story on the reply device to make your mailing more emotional.

[historylme]

THAT'S KICKS BUTT... thanks for the advice.

[mitchell_pgh]

Originally posted by history1me:
THAT'S KICKS BUTT... thanks for the advice.

Good luck... starting a non-profit is hard.