Please upgrade your web browser

These pages are built with modern web browsers in mind, and are not optimized for Internet Explorer 8 or below. Please try using another web browser, such as Internet Explorer 9, Internet Explorer 10, Internet Explorer 11, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Apple Safari.

I’m interested in starting a Community Development Corporation (CDC) 501 (c) (3). What advice can I get on getting the paper work done and getting programs funded?

Veteran

Vincent Wiggins Fayetteville, GA

Programs I’m interested in starting: youth advancement, veterans training, and youth sports.

30 January 2016 5 replies Mentoring

Answers

Advisor

June R Massoud Burlington, VT

This is interesting. There's a great need to help youth and veterans. Maybe ask some teachers you know and social workers in schools what they think. Best, June R Massoud

Veteran

Barbara Schweihs Carol Stream, IL

Hi Jennifer - thank you for your service!!! Lots of great advice and lots of excellent materials can be found at your local library. There are many books and articles written on the subject so by going to the library, you can read them for a few weeks by checking them out and then if you feel it is helpful, you can decide to go and buy that book. First find the books that address your questions. I have a link below that will answer some basic questions and there is a lot of information just on this one page with all of the links.

http://www.prattlibrary.org/locations/ssh/?id=3130

please let me know if you need any help, feel free to email me at bschweihs@ups.com

Advisor

Brad Wilder Lexington, KY

I've done the paperwork once. The 501(c)(3) paperwork can be tricky, mostly because it's not always clear WHY they are asking a question. It's not always intuitive what kind of answer they are looking for since they are looking for reasons to accept or deny the right for your cause to not pay taxes. Acceptance is not automatic. I would recommend getting a guidebook to the application and not try to tackle it without some background knowledge. There are plenty available.

Advisor

Stacey Murphy Denville, NJ

Vincent, I noticed you have another question about seeking new job opportunities. I can see you have a lot of excitement leading into this next phase of your professional life. When I left a corporate role after a merger we got training through NJ unemployment. The best advice I received was to access the local Small Business Administration. In our area, they have retirees who act as advisors and can help guide in decisions regarding business planning, paperwork, etc. I also concur with everything Jennifer wrote.
Good luck! It's great that you're planning ahead.
Stacey

Advisor

Jennifer Polhemus Santa Monica, CA

I suggest you think of the nonprofit is a pathway to advance your goals, it's not THE goal. First you need to figure out the domain where you want to work and make an impact. You've listed three, so broaden that (using brainstorming, looking at both your competencies & relative passions), and then narrow it down.

Once you have your area of focus, then research potential partners (companies, nonprofits, govt. agencies) and see if anything sparks. Think about becoming an employee, a volunteer (if you can afford it), and/or a resource. Then begin to form alliances -- formally (job application) and informally (phone chat, coffee meetings) -- focusing on what they need & what challenges their organizations/populations face.

THEN think about whether forming your own nonprofit is the best way to fill the need. Working with someone else first (employee or independent contractor for a limited task) is generally best. There are many nonprofits who fail or underperform because although they have tons of passion, they lack the alliances they need -- agencies with govt. contracts, folks w/expertise, contacts with skills (grantwriting, etc.) that you might lack, people who know people, and people who have worked with you in your new domain and can vouch for you.

I have a real passion for nonprofits, but there are too many "loners" out there, nonprofits that struggle mightily and never get a break. Much of that can be traced back to the alliance issue. We all need friends in high places, and i suggest working on that aspect, and building your own tested reputation (rather than just your obvious potential) in the field first. Go forth, and best wishes, wherever you choose to have an impact!!

Your Answer

Please log in to answer this question.

Sign Up

You can join as either a Veteran or an Advisor.

An Advisor already has a career, with or without military experience, and is willing to engage with and help veterans.
Sign Up as an Advisor.

A Veteran has military experience and is seeking a new career, or assistance with life after service.
Sign Up as a Veteran.