Steps
- Determine what specific issues your non-profit organization is to address, such as rural poverty, illiteracy, education of orphans, human rights, good governance, peace, etc. Note that you can combine several issues in case they are interrelated. In identifying issues, you may have to do some social analysis of the situation of place you like to intervene in.
- Identify the specific location or place where your non-profit organization will operate. This also implies identifying the beneficiaries of your proposed non-profit organization. For any location you choose be intentional about the choice--rural, urban, rich, poor, remote, accessible, etc.
- Choose the name of the organization you like to set up. In your choice of name, you need to be guided by the following principles: easy use; meaning and values to be conveyed; brevity.
Tips
- You need to have a team of collaborators and associates who share your ideals and are willing to help.
- Seek financial help from others only after you have made your own contribution.
- Once you have the vision and mission of your non-profit organization, you need to state your goals and objectives, and to draw a strategic plan of how to proceed.
- After every major step, carry out an evaluation.
- Study how related non-profit organizations operate--learn from best practices.
- Find creative ways of income generation without profit motive.
- There are many online resources available to help you. A search for setting up a non-profit organization will give you a lot of results.
Warnings
- Be critical of those who join your organization with a hidden agenda especially those driven by profit motive.
- Avoid getting funding from organizations who wish to change your vision.
- Ensure continuity by setting up a reliable trustee.
- Start with people who agree more than disagree
Things You'll Need
- Good organizational skills.
- Support from the beneficiaries of your organization.
- Initial funds to start off the project: offices, staff, etc.
- Registration by civil authorities.
- Passion and determination.
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