Running a nonprofit offers certain benefits.
First, you get to help others. For some, there’s nothing like the deep, personal satisfaction of knowing that they’re making a social impact. Sure, you can make a difference by helping loved ones, but a well-run nonprofit can change many lives for the better.
Nonprofits also enjoy tax benefits like deductions, which allow them to keep funds, funds that will be used to help people. Other benefits include limited liability protection, access to grants, and so on.
Of course, to enjoy those benefits, you need to know how to run a nonprofit. Here, we’ll talk about some tips to help you achieve success as a non-profit founder.
1. Have a Clear Mission Statement
Successful nonprofits understand the importance of a mission statement or purpose statement. They know that without it, it’s easy to head in many directions without accomplishing much.
You should also keep in mind that without a clear mission statement, applying for grants and appealing to donors will be difficult. Now, if you already have a well-crafted mission statement, it’s still a good idea to evaluate yearly to make sure your organization is staying on course.
2. Select the Right Board of Directors
You need leaders who can help steer the organization in the right direction, provide financial assistance if needed, and inspire staff members to do their best.
To help you select the best leaders for your board, look for people who have experience setting policy and raising money. Just remember the number one qualification for board members: they should be passionate about what your nonprofit is trying to accomplish.
3. Keep Records Clean and Organized
When it comes to record-keeping, it’s best to treat your nonprofit like any business.
That means your records should be as clean and organized as possible, which is easier if you invest in the right person or team to do the job. Don’t forget that if your records aren’t updated and disorganized, your organization could lose its non-profit (i.e. tax-exempt) status. Some of the documents included here are your articles of incorporation, minutes of board meetings, financial statements, etc.
4. Work With Experts Who Know How to Run a Nonprofit
From the time you’re trying to establish your nonprofit to when it’s already up and running, experts can help your organization in many ways.
For example, a tax lawyer can help ensure your nonprofit doesn’t lose its tax-exempt status, while a fundraising consultant can teach your staff how to use donor-based software. The good news is there are nonprofit consulting services you can trust to help your organization running smoothly. You can look for them online or you can ask other nonprofit founders for their recommendations.
5. Market Your Nonprofit
Marketing is even more important for nonprofits because it would be difficult to attract volunteers and donors if you don’t promote your organization.
So how should you go about it? You should start with a well-designed website, then try to build a strong online presence. Offline, you should make an effort to get to know the local business community so that you have a bigger network with whom to share your campaigns.
Need More Tips on Running a Nonprofit Organization?
Now that you know some of the best tips on how to run a nonprofit, don’t stop here.
There are tons of resources online that can help you manage and grow your nonprofit organization. You can also check out our other posts for more information.
