Family Run Non-Profit

Do you have a cause you are passionate about? Are you so enthralled with the idea that it keeps you awake at night? Have you ever considered setting up a non-profit entity so you can pursue your passion? It isn’t that far-fetched. Recently a teenager in New Jersey created Mahwah Environmental Volunteers Organization to promote sustainable agriculture. Monica Oxenreiter, a 16-year-old in Pittsburgh created “Zip the Cure”, a nonprofit designed to generate contributions for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. And a 13-year-old started a nonprofit organization called Lucky Tails Animal Rescue. So if they can do it why not you?

The Basics

Before setting up a nonprofit, it’s very important for the future philanthropist to do some thorough research on the area of interest, so as to start from a well-informed point. For a family operation, this is even more important because you have to be sure everyone is on board and willing to contribute. You must also research possible revenue flow that will offer solid support for the business’s long-term objectives. You also have to come up with a strategy to review finance, infrastructure, and employees in order to achieve your goals.

Factors to Consider

Are Your Goals Achievable?
Do You Have a Serious Long-Term Passion for This?
Do You Have a Good Location?
Can You Adhere to the Legalities?

If you intend to run your Non-Profit as a family and be successful at it, you have to begin by ensuring that your operations are conducted lawfully, so that you gradually build up trust with the public. If you have a big family, it may work better for you because it means there will be more hands put together as you start out. What is important to do at this point, is to have the various responsibilities clearly outlined then have each delegated to a different member of the family.

Family Nonprofit Business Ideas

Food bank

In such a non-profit, the food can be collected from farmers, grocery stores and even restaurants, while fundraisers, churches and credit unions can help with obtaining financing. The children can be in charge of making calls and operating the business website, the parents can solicit for business and take charge of the managerial duties, and all members can take part in the food distribution. When doing such a business, it’s really important to have efficient storage and transportation systems. Also, you will have to take charge of the finances to ensure a smooth flow. Remember, there has to be some high level of accountability where there’s finance involved.

Animal Shelter

This kind of non-profit would be ideal for people who love nature and animals, for it to run effectively. You can start with a small shelter, and then move to bigger premises when the public and business donations stream in. In this instance, be sure to get all the required paperwork, and also have suitable housing for the animals so that you meet the set standards in order to avoid trouble during inspections. As parents, you can take control of searching for the homeless animals, while the children can clean and feed the animals.

Graffiti Removal

You may be living in an area where there is graffiti everywhere you turn. If you are tired of seeing unattractive blemishes from the graffiti, you can make their removal your nonprofit business venture. Here, you will require a sandblaster, a pressure washer –preferably one that is high powered –and a truck to help you move around easily with the equipment. The kids can conduct surveys to establish the areas to work on, while parents can keep records and carry out the clean up exercises. You can also just paint over the graffiti. In the 1980’s New York city decided to tackle their graffiti problem. One main area of problem was grafitti on the ouside of the subway trains. It seems that at night when the trains were parked kids would sneak into the train yard and paint the graffiti but it took quite a bit of work and actually involved three days. On the first night, the kids would sand it and paint a base coat. On the second night they would paint another set of colors and on the third night they would add another layer of contrasting colors. The city found that the most effective solution was to wait until they were finished and the moment they were done a crew would come out with paint rollers and just roll up and down over their work. No one even got to see it. Often the kids would actually cry. But they soon realized it wasn’t worth the effort. That simple process went a long way toward cleaning up New York city.

Business vs. Non-Profit

So what makes a non-profit graffiti removal service different from a for profit pressure washing business? Primarily the source of revenue. Rather than having the building owner pay for the clean up you would be supported by grants or donations.

How to Get Donations

All things considered, you may be able to get financial aid from government grants or donations from well wishers, but you cannot just assume that this is how your business will survive; you have to come up with effective and reliable means to ensure a steady flow of revenue. How will you raise support? What type of fundraising will you do? Is it sustainable?

Starting your own non-profit organization is a prasie-worthy worthwhile goal and a great way to give back to the community. Just be sure to do your homework first and determine whether you are willing to commit to the effort necessary not only to perform the work but also to raise the funding and manage the projects and the finances. If you plan properly you can help the world become a better place to live. After all isn’t that what it’s all about?

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