Jack Barnard ⋅ North Little Rock, AR U.S. Navy, Petty Officer Third Class ⋅ 5 years served

Kevin thanks for the input. I appreciate you following up on it. So, our organization mission is to help children that live with cancer, with their non-medical needs. So, our struggle is how best to go about getting our name to those that can give it to the children that need it. I know a couple of people that work in hospitals, and I have spoke to them about it, and they just suggest to call xyz clinic. I had hoped they might be able to help me with the whole getting in contact with them, but I guess they were to busy. Oh well. I do appreciate the feedback and welcome any and all that you guys provided. Have a good one.

Jack

Kevin MacWalters ⋅ New York, NY ⋅ 14 years experience

I reached out to another contact who works in this area. Sorry for the slow response time. Here's what she suggests:

1. Provide a detailed description and write up about the Mentoring program and the volunteers involved. Describe the purpose of the program and how the Mentors would work with Youth in the program.

2. Outline 3-4 Objectives that the Program would offer Youth (ie: career readiness, or goal setting for future).

3. Director should indicate if they have support from community organizations or business that could participate and increase offerings

4. Once the information is all written and prepared nicely with a catchy title about Mentoring, the Director should set up meetings with 2-3 schools to start to see if they would be interested and they can schedule a meeting time for interested Youths to come and hear about the program, process and people involved as well as the importance of the program. Have candidates fill out a short assessment about their goals, interest and what they want to obtain from the program.

5. It would probably be best to select about 10-15 youths to start and give them time to meet and greet and be matched with mentors based on their interests. I'm sure that after a few cycles and planning and feedback it will be a great program.

Kevin MacWalters ⋅ New York, NY ⋅ 14 years experience

Bridgespan is one of the best resources for someone just starting out with a nonprofit. The National Mentoring Partnership also has great resources for mentoring-focused nonprofits.

http://www.bridgespan.org/Home.aspx
http://www.mentoring.org

Jack Barnard ⋅ North Little Rock, AR U.S. Navy, Petty Officer Third Class ⋅ 5 years served

Thanks for the help Jessica. I guess an update is ado. We got the rest of our money to file from 1023 for tax exemption. We did that almost three weeks ago. Now we are just waiting for the IRS to respond and we will see if we got it all filled out correctly. I worked with the SCORE office to ensure it was done correctly, so I got my fingers crossed. Now just trying to find people with like interest that want to help lead us in the right direction.

Carmelo Carbonara ⋅ New Hyde Park, NY CPC Networking Inc ⋅ 35 years experience

I was recently looking into similar information;

maybe these are 2 resources that can provided some info

https://www.councilofnonprofits.org/

http://www.bridgespan.org/

Jack Barnard ⋅ North Little Rock, AR U.S. Navy, Petty Officer Third Class ⋅ 5 years served

Thanks for the advice Jerry. I have already been incorporated by the state. Have a mission and am seeking board members. I have my application ready to submit to the IRS for tax exemption but was hoping to raise funds to do that. We have raised $200 so far and need to get $200 more. Starting off we will not have any paid staff. There are three of us who incorporated the organization. Its called Heroes and Angels and we will help children who live with cancer with their non medical needs. So this entails traveling to doctor appointments. If they have to stay overnight then we will help with a room. If the family is struggling to make ends meet then we cans assist with helping them ensure they keep the lights on.

We are heading in the right direction just need help making sure we get there. I have worked with the SCORE office to get the form 1023 ready for the IRS. It looks like I am going to have to figure out another way to get the money to submit the application. Ok, thanks.

Jerry Welsh ⋅ Middleville, MI Master Military Transition Advisor/HPS GPO ⋅ 30 years experience

I guess a couple pieces of advice. 1) seek an attorney who will draft the articles of incorporation and submit the State paper work also(pro-Bono). 2) Develop a good mission prior to seeking a board, the founders need to create the mission and vision. Boards will guide you in that direction, but without the mission, vision and values there is no course or even water for ship to head out into. I could go on, but without a mission, vision and values you will have a hard time attracting an attorney to do the pro-Bono work, will you have paid staff or volunteers, define help children with cancer. Once you have a solid mission, then you have something to sell, to seek volunteers, raise money etc.