Non-profit help

[Sandman]

I've been wanting to start a non-profit ministry...I have no idea where to start! Has anyone done this or can anyone help me?? Thanks!

[Warbird]

Ministry as in church or ministry as in a charitable mission work?

[Sandman]

Charitable mission work (both local and abroad).

[Warbird]

First thing to do would be to establish a name, establish a board and set of by-laws and file as a 501©3 with the IRS. Three people would be a good number of board members. President, VP and Treasurer for instance, or Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Treasurer. The establishment of a ©3 would allow you to collect tax deductible donations, either self-funded or from others.

Obviously you would have to have a bank account completely separate from anything you have personally. Many banks offer non-profits accounts free from their myriad of charges, or at least free of many of them.

Edited July 26, 2011 by Warbird

[Warbird]

I have helped establish and sat or sat on the boards of numerous non-profits, but they were mostly think tank type groups or 501©4, non-tax deductible grassroots advocacy (lobbying) organizations. None were ministries.

I would think you would have to already have a knowledge of or contacts with others who would need the services of such an organization, in order to get people to readily contribute. Unless you plan to initially self-fund it. The ways to raise funds is about as large as your imagination can take you. It is done a lot of ways.

[Sandman]

I have helped establish and sat or sat on the boards of numerous non-profits, but they were mostly think tank type groups or 501©4, non-tax deductible grassroots advocacy (lobbying) organizations. None were ministries.

I would think you would have to already have a knowledge of or contacts with others who would need the services of such an organization, in order to get people to readily contribute. Unless you plan to initially self-fund it. The ways to raise funds is about as large as your imagination can take you. It is done a lot of ways.

Seems I missed your post(s). I have a name. I have a mission. I'm by myself as of now. I don't expect this to be huge overnight, but I like the idea and I like the basis behind it. I don't want money either, just everyday household items. I didn't know if I need to have a lawyer file my paperwork etc...I started this before via craigslist and got a good bit of stuff (almost more than I could handle) but then I started worrying since people wouldn't donate without the tax write-off so I scratched the idea.