If you’re fighting for a cause and require funds to sustain the resolve, fundraising is a common solution. However, if you want to have your support financed by contributions, then you can opt to start a non-profit organization and solicit donations legally.
It’s essential to know how non-profits work and what the government treats as an organization. Also, consider knowing what the rights of a non-profit are and how this kind of group solicits donations from members.
Here are some ways on how to set up a non-profit and initiate nonprofit payment processing and fund your passion, advocacy, or cause.
Properly register your organization
Before anything else, you must first abide by the laws of your country regarding the establishment of a non-profit organization. It’s essential to apply for 501 (c)(3) status, which is a tax clause for charitable/non-profit organizations.
If you register for this status, you will have tax exemptions and enjoy the benefits bestowed on non-profits. Here are some of the purposes of an organization that’s not for profit.
- Religious
- Charity
- Scientific
- Educational
- Literary
- Advocacy
- Public awareness and safety
Who can start a non-profit organization?
Starting a non-profit organization not only has to meet specific criteria. The organization must first be established for one of the purposes mentioned above. Also, the organization must not be geared for the benefit of a private person or entity.
Otherwise, a non-profit where a private person holds the financial aspects of philanthropic cause might not be considered as such. There are also benefits to registering your charitable organization. This includes access to grants from other philanthropic foundations and the government.
Also, a charitable foundation can enjoy certain tax exemptions and a certain level of protection from lawsuits. These benefits are holistic and cannot be used by an individual.
Use technology and the internet
One of the significant advantages of building a non-profit organization is the accessibility of technology. The internet is a significant factor to consider when making a non-profit organization.
Some of the technology you can also look into are nonprofit payment processing services that help you manage the flow of funds.
Build your brand and foundation goals
After establishing the foundation for your non-profit, working on your brand and image is the next step. Just like a for-profit company, you need to have these items ticked off to create a successful organization:
- Organization missions and vision
- An active press outreach mechanism
- A logo
- A package of marketing material
- A website
- Events that will promote your advocacy and invite people to join and donate
Create your core group of people
In an organization, you need a group of people who are heavily invested in your advocacy. These are the people who will be with you through thick or thin. They are the ones who will carry the weight of such an organization while donations are still low.
Promote your organization
When everything is set in order, the next move is to promote your organization. It’s in this phase where you will see if your organization will last or not. Promotion is crucial as it’s the only way to convince people to join your cause and get donations. You can do promotions through traditional media (Newspaper, TV, and Radio) or shift to modern ones like the internet and social media.
If you can manage to market your organization successfully, then your non-profit will surely become successful and you can start to receive donations.
