Looking for help. Starting a Charity…
October 2nd, 2009 by cmark Posted in PCI DSSWhile this is not a PCI related question or security related topic, I am looking for some advice and/or help.
Heather and I had our first baby about 3 weeks ago. We were blown away with how expensive it is to have/feed/cloth and generally take care of a new baby. We do pretty well financially and can see how young families and single mothers struggle with a challenges of a new child. We want to establish a charity to help those less fortunate with the expenses, and challenge of affording a new child to ensure the baby has the necessities taken care of.
If anyone has any advice, wisdom, experience with a charity or has been down the road of establishing a not for profit charity, please let us know…
Thanks for entertaining a “non” PCI related inquiry ;))
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6 Responses to “Looking for help. Starting a Charity…”
By Steve on Oct 4, 2009
Start with a business plan.
You’ve got a pretty well stated mission in “We want to establish a charity to help those less fortunate with the expenses, and challenge of affording a new child to ensure the baby has the necessities taken care of.”
So now build your business plan from there. Here’s a few questions to get you started:
Where’s your funding coming from?
What’s the scope? - are you wanting to reach your community, town, city, county, state, country, etc.
How are funds to be distributed? - are you planning to give/services directly to single mothers, or do you plan to give to existing organizations that provide such support?
How’s this going to be managed? - think of who’s going to do what.
Check out techsoup.org - there are lots of resources there. Also, google non-profit business plan.
By Colin on Oct 5, 2009
On a serious note: This a very worthy cause, I hope you can get it off the ground.
On a less serious note: Sign me up, two weeks ago we gave birth to twin boys adding to our two girls (5 & 2). I will also sign up for any charities that would help buy food when these little guys become teenagers…
Have a great day!
By Chris on Oct 5, 2009
Wow…Twins plus 2 more at 5 and below? You are a brave man (and woman!). I cannot believe how tired I am during the day and we are only getting up for one baby.
In all seriousness, I can’t believe how much it costs to have and raise a baby.
Congrats on the twins!!
By Blake on Oct 8, 2009
Chris,
Congratulations.
Definately a worthy cause. Set up 501-c3 status first, as people like that tax break when donating. We set up a dog rescue group years ago; it took many years for us to get corporate cash donations.
A big expense for many is formula and diapers. A simple thing that you can do, is provide coupons, that come from the manufacturers directly. Many people just throw away the coupons, others sell them on ebay. Additionally, clothing donations. For those of us more fortunate, our infants received clothing gifts that they never even wore or wore only once. When children are growing, they go through clothing like diapers.
As a side note, you haven’t seen anything yet with expenses. But it is all worth it.
By Chris on Oct 8, 2009
That is great info that will certainly be a help. What you described is our situation. We have tons of clothes and great stuff that we are very fortunate to have received but can see others needing help. We will look into the 501-c3 and the coupon info is a great idea.
By Prest0n on Oct 9, 2009
It seems like setting up your own charity would be reinventing the wheel. There are LOTS of charities that already (try to) serve the people you want to help. Rather than burn time and energy setting up redundant infrastructure, why not put that effort into directly helping those who need it? If you approach your local United Way, they should be able to provide you with a list of charities that would be all too glad for your help.