How to Start a Non-Profit Foundation: Impacting Your Community
If you’re ready to make a difference in your community, embarking on the journey of starting a non-profit foundation will not only teach you valuable lessons but also bring a profound sense of fulfillment. Your efforts will help change the world for many years to come.
Betsy Pepine, founder of Pepine Gives, a 501(c)3 foundation that helps at-risk families facing housing insecurity, shares practical steps for launching a successful non-profit organization.
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Identify Your Cause
Take it from the beginning; choose a specific cause you are most passionate about. Whether it’s housing insecurity or animals, rescuing the insecure, or women and children, a focused mission will give you direction, which will attract more people’s support.
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Research and Build a Strong Foundation
Find out what your community needs and what legal requirements you need to satisfy to begin your non-profit. Gaining nonprofit status for your foundation gives your foundation tax-exempt status, which allows donors to make tax-deductible contributions.
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Develop a Clear Mission and Vision
Create a mission statement that tells people what your company is all about and where it’s going. Your vision should be clear and inspiring, communicating your passion and attracting volunteers and donors.
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Create a Board of Directors
Gather a group of people who care about the same thing you care about and are willing to put the time in to help govern the operations and growth of the non-profit. When it comes to making decisions, being transparent, and handling finances, your board will be vital.
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Secure Funding
Start by exploring possible funding sources like grants, donations, or fundraising events. Engaging local businesses, philanthropists, and even crowdfunds can help you get your foundation started.
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Start Small and Scale
Work on a project or initiative that you can tackle in a reasonable timeframe, and that serves your mission. So, as you build your foundation, you can scale things and get more people to impact more lives, and your community reach can grow.
Make a Difference in Your Community
Starting a non-profit seems scary, but if it has a clear mission coupled with strong support, it can have a huge effect. Using these steps, you’ll have an organization that solves important problems and makes lasting change for the people who need it most.
Follow Betsy on the following social media to learn more, be inspired, and stay updated on how she is shaping the community!
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsypepine/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bpepine/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betsypepine/
Join the ranks and stay informed on her newest ventures in real estate and philanthropy and how you can get involved.