At the Murdock Trust, we often get asked questions around how to start a nonprofit organization. Here are two of the best resources we’ve found to help think through what it takes:
Starting a nonprofit is a serious commitment of your time, energy and resources that should be carefully thought through. Bob Andringa, managing partner at The Andringa Group and long-time consultant for nonprofits around the country, finds that those seeking to start a nonprofit:
- Most seriously underestimate the time and money it will take.
- Most have a passion, but lack the needed clarity in vision, mission, values.
- Most don’t have a wide circle of friends who have committed to helping launch something new.
- Most don’t understand that “nonprofit” does not mean ‘not any profit’.
- And most can’t explain where the revenues will come from to sustain their idea.
We encourage anyone thinking of starting a nonprofit to contact the nonprofit support organization or association in their state to get specific resources and tools.