Hello everyone, I am looking for any type of guidance, resources or mentorship that comes with starting a non-profit in NC. I would like to start a mentoring program tailored towards the youth in my community. I'm not sure where to start or what I need to do first to get myself going. I thank you all in advance for your help.
Answers
There's a program called YouthFriends. All kinds of adults with all kinds of skills mentor and tutor and become buddies to kids K-12.
If you know what you want in terms of services, organization and goals. Simplest way is to use legalzoom.com to file the paper and simplify the filing and legal paper filing aspect. Next step is to make sure you have good non-profit business plan along with good accounting software (quickbooks is good) to maintain your records. This would be a good starting point. Best of luck!
I would recommend an attorney who is willing to cut you a very good deal or believes in your cause to complete the 501 (c) 3 application, By-Laws and State application. If it will be volunteer staff the 501 (c) 3 application is long, but much of it has to do with salaries et al that volunteers do not require. The By-Laws are tricky and this is where an attorney can assist greatly. In fact you may be able to find a non-profit By-Law template out on the internet for a couple hundred dollars. Just make sure it meets IRS standards and your State standards. Good luck.
Partnerships are essential. Don't go it alone, no matter how fabulous your mission and how strong your passion. Work with established organizations to build skills and make your mark, even if it means delaying your own launch. Start following nonprofit thought leaders like Beth Kanter & Kivi Leroux Miller on Facebook. Best wishes!
Good morning, India.
To create a not for profit start with the by-laws. They define the organization, the purpose, and how you will conduct the company business. To begin, you will have a few pages, maybe six or seven. You will need to recruit key board members to fill some of the slots you have defined. The two most important are the President and the Treasurer. When you have decided the name for your organization, go on line to the IRS at IRS.gov and get a tax ID number. At the same time you can get the IRS form to file for tax exempt status as an education provider. There is an -EZ version of the form. Make sure that you comply with everything they require. Submit the form to the IRS. A DAT, who is a friend, started a food pantry for veterans and it took him less than eight weeks to get the IRS approval.
You can start doing business before you receive approval, but you earnings during that period may be taxable. If you know a CPA, try to get her or him to join your board; not as the Treasurer, but as a board member who can advise on tax related matters.
Good luck!
Hi India, I just wanted to let you know that if you use the community feature at the top of the page, you can sort by industry (use both non-profit and small business) and by region to help you find specific Mentors to reach out to who would be able to help you here.
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