Thinking About Starting a Nonprofit? Some Things to Consider.

November 19, 2024

Often times, when someone is affected by sudden cardiac arrest, they want to help others. They want to prevent other families from losing a loved one. They want to work to help save those who will go through something similar to them. This sometimes means they consider starting a nonprofit organization.

Creating a nonprofit organization can be a very daunting task. There are many steps to start a nonprofit and make it sustainable for the long term. Here are some important considerations when thinking about starting a nonprofit. 

Research

It is always important to research other nonprofit organizations that do similar work to what you want to do. There may be opportunities to collaborate and you may be able to learn from their programs and activities.

Mission Statement

Nonprofits need to have a powerful mission statement. This mission statement is what you will live by with your day-to-day activities. A good mission statement easily defines the work you will do. An example of a powerful mission statement is, “XYZ organization works to help save lives from sudden cardiac arrest.”

Vision Statement

The vision statement for your organization is the end goal or the dream of your organization. If you complete all of your work successfully, what will the result be? For example, “We envision a world where the survival rate of sudden cardiac arrest increases drastically.”

Legal Status

It is important to consult with a lawyer to file the necessary paperwork to incorporate as a nonprofit organization. Many nonprofits operate under 501(c)3 status. This allows donors to give tax deductible gifts to your organization.

Board of Directors

You will want to surround yourself with a strong Board of Directors. These people should have different skills that can help your organization, including potentially a lawyer, an accountant, a marketing expert, or a financial expert, just to name a few. Your Board of Directors will govern your organization and make important decisions.

Program Development

Your nonprofit needs strong programs that help fulfill your mission statement. These programs are the work you are going to do to achieve your mission and vision statements. Some examples of programs can be:

· Cardiac Screening Program

· AED Donation Program

· Training Program

· Support Program

You'll want to measure these programs so you can show your success with data!

Fundraising

All organizations need funding to operate. You will want to think about fundraising money for both administrative and program costs. There are many different ways to fundraise, but here are a few effective fundraising methods:

· Individual Donors

· Special Events

· Grant Writing

· Crowdfunding

It is important to create a fundraising plan and a budget to determine how much money you will need to raise to achieve your goals.

Although creating a nonprofit organization can be an intimidating task, it can also be very fulfilling. Taking all of these considerations and more into account, will help your organization in making an impact.

To learn more about Defibtech and to join us on our quest to save lives from sudden cardiac arrest, visit www.Defibtech.com.