One of the most frequent questions I’m asked is, “How do I start a nonprofit?” When you Google this question, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the courses and guides and toolkits that appear. There are some really great resources out there, but it’s hard to know which ones are reliable. So I created a simple resource deck that rounds up the best nonprofit startup advice and resources.
free step-by-step guide on how to start a nonprofit
Don’t you wish someone would just drop a step-by-step guide to starting a nonprofit in your lap? Well, I have good news for you: This is your guide.
My resource deck includes:
Information to help you decide what type of organization would best align with your mission and resources
Required reading you absolutely need so you know the requirements and regulations for starting a nonprofit
Links to the BEST resources out there which can support your startup journey
faqs about starting a nonprofit
If this is your first time starting a nonprofit, you probably have a lot of questions. Here are some answers to the most frequently asked questions I’ve heard about how to start a nonprofit:
On your podcast, I’ve heard you tell people not to start nonprofits. Why?
It's not necessarily a bad thing to start a nonprofit! There are lots of problems in our world that would fall through the cracks if nonprofits weren't there to help.
But sometimes, starting a new nonprofit can actually make a situation worse:
Today, there are about 1.8 million nonprofits in the USA. When new nonprofits enter an already bloated sector, they can create unnecessary competition for funding and other resources — especially if there are already a bunch of other nonprofits serving the same cause as yours.
In a competitive funding environment, resources can be split among many nonprofits running similar programs, which limits the ability of each individual nonprofit to adequately serve their clients, animals, or environment.
When resources are split between nonprofits, each individual nonprofit must find new funding sources to sustain their work. This need for additional fundraising takes away time and resources which could otherwise be allocated toward mission work.
Additionally, if you're starting a new nonprofit, you may be starting from scratch. Existing nonprofits likely already have connections with politicians, corporations, thought leaders, and other influencers who can help amplify their impact. Why recreate the wheel?
Finally, many new nonprofit founders are figuring things out as they go. It's normal to make mistakes as you try to build a board, develop effective programs, learn about compliance and regulations, steward relationships with key stakeholders, and raise awareness about your cause. Instead of pouring energy into learning all of these new skills, there may be a more effective way to have a positive impact on your cause.
So before you start a nonprofit, let me ask you: Have you considered other types of organization structures that may be more beneficial in serving your cause? Download my resource deck to learn about different types of organizations you may want to start instead.
I have an idea for starting a nonprofit. Can you tell me if it’s a good idea?
Sure! Starting a nonprofit may be a good idea if:
There are no other nonprofits serving the people/animals/environment you want to serve
You've conducted in-depth research about the problem you want to solve, why it exists, and what specific, evidence-based solutions could solve it
You've spoken to key stakeholders impacted by your cause and they support your idea for a nonprofit and the specific programs you want to offer
You have the time, resources, and gritty attitude needed to run a business (Yes, a nonprofit is a type of business)
You're willing to go after the funding needed to operate your nonprofit (Keep in mind that most startup nonprofits rely on the founder's personal network to get their initial funding — In other words, you should be comfortable asking your loved ones and colleagues for support)
You understand and embrace the fact that, unlike with other types of organizations, you can't make unilateral decisions about how your organization runs — You must share decision-making power with your board
You know at least two other people who want to join your board and share responsibility for leading and growing your nonprofit
If your idea meets these criteria, I recommend downloading my resource deck to help you start your nonprofit!
Why is it so expensive to start a nonprofit?
Although the actual process of incorporating a 501c3 nonprofit costs next to nothing, getting professional support to start a nonprofit (such as from an attorney or startup consultant) can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars.
Why does it cost so much to get professional support? Because attorneys and consultants deserve to be compensated fairly for their knowledge, skills, and experience — just like you deserve to be compensated fairly for yours.
I highly recommend hiring an attorney and/or startup consultant (who has ample experience working with startup nonprofits). I can’t tell you how many times I’ve met nonprofit leaders who tried starting up their nonprofits without any support and ended up making huge mistakes that could have been easily avoided with professional help.
My favorite resource for finding professional support is Philanthroforce, the world’s largest directory of consultants who have experience working specifically with nonprofit organizations.
I found a college / online course on how to start a nonprofit, but it’s very expensive. do i need to enroll?
The short answer is: No. You don’t need to pay for an expensive course to learn how to start a nonprofit. There are lots of free resources that can help you, including my resource deck.
The longer answer is: You don’t necessarily need to take a course to learn how to start a nonprofit, but if you’re really serious about building a sustainable, effective organization, I would highly recommend researching resources that can help you fill in your knowledge gaps.
What I don’t like about most “how to start a nonprofit” courses I’ve seen is:
They’re often pretty expensive
They often require a significant time commitment to complete (i.e., 8+ weeks)
They often try to cover as many topics as they can with limited time, which can make the content overly generalized and lacking in practicality
Instead of enrolling in one of these courses, you might want to:
Start by downloading my free resource deck
Use the resources recommended in my deck to fill in your knowledge gaps
Hire an attorney who has experience starting up nonprofits so they can ensure you start off on the right foot
Build a network of seasoned nonprofit leaders and ask them to help you find your blind spots
Recruit board members and/or mentors who can further help fill in your knowledge gaps (Note: Before recruiting someone to join your board, be sure they have adequate time to offer the support you need)
Do you have another question about starting a nonprofit?
Feel free to email me at hello@nonprofitjenni.com or find a nonprofit startup consultant who can help.