Need some training and guidance on starting a nonprofit? Check out my online training at my Nonprofit Founder to Full-Time Academy: foundertofulltime.com/
Another helpful tip for existing not for profits: 990s are required for many grants. Ensure you hire a competent accountant who understands proper bookkeeping and tax filing and can help you prepare these annual 990 forms. Review their work carefully and ensure the Board of Directors reviews it carefully each year. An organization needs to have a an active, diverse and professional board to help with its mission. Look for an accountant who specializes in not for profit accounting and check their references. Great video, Amber. Keep up the information because it is really important.
Very good information. BUT for the people watching who do not already have a nonprofit, this video will make you feel like giving up, like you don't stand a chance, if you watch it from the beginning. If you don't already have a nonprofit and are watching because you want to start one, I strongly suggest you forward to 11:43 because that's where she's directly talking to you. And she'll give really good advice on how to do what you need to do to start a nonprofit. THEN you can watch it from the beginning and you won't feel like you can't do it. We CAN do it. I'm commenting again, because she has really good information. Helpful informatmion, but I had almost stopped watching. Which would have been a mistake. If you don't already have a nonprofit, don't stop watching, just forward to 11:43 and then watch it from the beginning. I am so glad I kept watching. BTW, I just found your channel today, you have a new subscriber. Thank you for helping!
Hey, thanks for your feedback! I definitely believe in providing full context so people know exactly what they are getting into, but don't want folks to feel encouraged. :) It's totally possible!
Hi there! Most of the time, grants are not the best / easiest source of money for start ups because grant funders like to see a track record of success before funding your organization. An exception might be if you have a past history of success with other efforts you can demonstrate to the funder as rationale for why they should trust you can get results!
I have never written grants for anything. I am looking into applying for them, and I am looking to operate my own non profit later in life, so I figured this is a good start. A high school choir organization that I currently volunteer for is in dire need of some grant assistance, so I am taking it upon myself to figure out some of these details. It is a bit much but I am taking these initial steps to learn about what all I need to do first. Any other tips for my position? I am incredibly ignorant to this world!
@@AmberMelanieSmith not particularly. Fundraisers are probably the biggest source, which there are only a handful of smaller ones, and one larger event that is somewhat the backbone of the program. This has been scaled back though in years due to a lack of passion for it by the teacher, which leads me to believe they will phase it out in the distant future. Other than those there are only a handful of sponsorships involved.
WOW, I really thought I could do this, until I watched htis video. 1. I do NOT have a Board of Members, I'm doing this on my own. 2. Don't have past data to show success because I have NEVER done this before, so I do not have past successes or failures, because I have never done this before. 3. I do not yet know what my expenses will be, I have nver done this before. 4. I do not have staff, I have never done this before. I need the Grant in order to start the Non-profit. If I already had the money to do everything I need to do to prove to those companies that my nonprofit is a success and board members and staff (which I don't have) now what they are doing, then I probably wouldn't need the grant because it sounds expensive. No 'History' yet, I have never done this before, but I do have a Mission statement - Project description. (Thankfully it doesn't cost a fortune to write things down). Annual Budget and Program or Project Budget? Do not know yet, I have never done this before. Official non-Profit Status, I'll have to research how to get a non-501C3) but seeing as I've never done this before aren't I already automatically a 'non-501C3? Kidding, government stuff, they have to have legal papers for everything. BTW the ho,e;ess [ep[;e pm tje street are a;sp non-profit (Just an observation). Hopefully, towards the end of my comment here I made you laugh at least a little bit. This is EXTREMELY depressing. No chance of success if you do't already have money or an army of people working with you? Great, just great. The Non-Profit I WANT TO START is for people, like me who have escaped Cults. Your video makes me feel like it is 'hopeless', and Not Possible because I don't already have money, or an army of people or staff with amazingly perfected skills. I'm just a cult survivor who wants to help other cult survivors. Do you have anything, any 'You Can Do This' information for someone who has NEVER does this before, is just getting started, doesn't have a lot of money, nor an army of talented board members and staff. I'm just getting started here. I don't think this video is for people like me. I think it's for people who already have a non-profit, it is not for people who've never done this before, have no idea (yet) what they are doing, but are desperately wanting to learn HOW they can do this. I thought the Grants would help people wanting to start a nonprofit get started. I guess I was wrong. - Joann Hope. P.S. I didn't mean this comment to anger anyone, or insult anyone. It is coming out of pure frustration and disapointment. I was excited about doing this, had confidence that I could do this, until I watched this video. I am hoping that you will reply to my comment with some encouragement and tell me HOW I can do this, how someone who has NEVER done this before, does not have an army of board members and staff, doesn't know how expensive it's gonig to be, I am hoping you'll reply with things I CAN do, so that I can get a Grant for my NonProfit. First thing off the top of my head is: RESEARCH. That one is no biggie for me, I actually love research, it's why I am watching this video. Nevermind, you provided the 'HOPE' I needed towards the end of this video. However, I think you sholuld have placed it at the beginning of the video. Because people like who who are looking to START a nonprofit will also be watching. I had almost stopped watching the video. I'm glad I didn't stop watching, but can't help wondering how many others had stopped watching before you addressed the people who are just now tryting to start a nonprofit.
Thanks for sharing your story! Starting a nonprofit does unfortunately include several legal steps (including having a Board) which can feel like a barrier (and I'm not a fan of barriers to making an impact!), but if I can do it, so can others, with a little patience and hard work!
@@AmberMelanieSmith That's why I was glad you said what you'd said towards the end of the video. Actually, I should have known the video was for people who've already started a nonprofit, because of the title of the video, but somehow, I think because I was so excited to do this, I forgot about that. Thanks again!!
For something like that, I would probably look at it in terms of quality of life. How much is their life improved by having your nonprofit's housing? Etc.
Good evening, Amber! I am very anxious to get in touch with you. How can I? I watch your videos all the time I subscribed to on UA-cam about nonprofit organizations. Is there any way I can get in touch via email or post? I shall be grateful.
Hello and good afternoon I hope you are well. I have started a charity in England uk where we aim to offer counselling to people on benefits/low incomes. Is there anyway that might fund this ? Thank you
I'm a special needs mum of 2 from Nigeria planning to establish an educational/therapy centre that would help young children with such disabilities and create an inclusive community to help them cope and contribute to the society. How can I obtain grant for a startup?
Hey there! Start with a business plan to show how you'll achieve your impacts and bring in sustainable revenue after starting up. That will help with grant applications.
Hello and good afternoon. I hope you are well. We are currently trying to get funding for our next project where we will be providing counselling/ psychotherapy sessions for people on benefits and low incomes. We are based in England, UK. And we are a Community Interest Company. Thank You George
This was thorough and helpful question? can you speak about having a nonprofit that was defunct and now you want to include that regarding new information? So it can be known that, even though you change names, you did have a not for profit in the past giving you somewhat of a history instead of the investor thinking that you're new.
I think it would depend on what happened with the defunct nonprofit. If it is defunct because something went wrong, that might be a red flag for a funder.
@@AmberMelanieSmith it was a partnership when I decided to break away and doing on my own, the other partner did not want to be involved with a nonprofit anymore
Thank you for the information. I'm creating a nonprofit organization but the project is to create substance abuse detox centers in memory of my father. Can you help me?
I find it very difficult to help those individuals that thinks that grant writing is a instant fix and it can be accomplished in two to three days! They want you to do the work for them. I call them lazy individuals that want to reap all the profits and do nothing to earn them. These individuals make it hard to help them.😔💔
I think grants and nonprofits in general have been portrayed a certain way and it has affected public perception about how challenging it can be to get funding. When I first started, I also thought grants would be easier than they are! I get it - wouldn't it be a dream to have someone hear about your mission, fall in love, and want to fund it? :) That's why I try to share many different revenue streams for nonprofits here; people may not realize all their options.
Hello! Would the monthly rent for an animal shelter- where the cats are housed - be a direct or indirect expense? I feel like it's a direct cost since it is where the animals live, but I'm not sure. 🤔 I am applying for a few grants and I'm not sure where to put this on the budget. Thank you for any input!
Need some training and guidance on starting a nonprofit? Check out my online training at my Nonprofit Founder to Full-Time Academy: foundertofulltime.com/
Another helpful tip for existing not for profits: 990s are required for many grants. Ensure you hire a competent accountant who understands proper bookkeeping and tax filing and can help you prepare these annual 990 forms. Review their work carefully and ensure the Board of Directors reviews it carefully each year. An organization needs to have a an active, diverse and professional board to help with its mission. Look for an accountant who specializes in not for profit accounting and check their references. Great video, Amber. Keep up the information because it is really important.
Yes, thank you, good one!
Very good information. BUT for the people watching who do not already have a nonprofit, this video will make you feel like giving up, like you don't stand a chance, if you watch it from the beginning. If you don't already have a nonprofit and are watching because you want to start one, I strongly suggest you forward to 11:43 because that's where she's directly talking to you. And she'll give really good advice on how to do what you need to do to start a nonprofit. THEN you can watch it from the beginning and you won't feel like you can't do it. We CAN do it. I'm commenting again, because she has really good information. Helpful informatmion, but I had almost stopped watching. Which would have been a mistake. If you don't already have a nonprofit, don't stop watching, just forward to 11:43 and then watch it from the beginning. I am so glad I kept watching.
BTW, I just found your channel today, you have a new subscriber. Thank you for helping!
Hey, thanks for your feedback! I definitely believe in providing full context so people know exactly what they are getting into, but don't want folks to feel encouraged. :) It's totally possible!
How would this work when applying for a grant for startup costs?
Hi there! Most of the time, grants are not the best / easiest source of money for start ups because grant funders like to see a track record of success before funding your organization. An exception might be if you have a past history of success with other efforts you can demonstrate to the funder as rationale for why they should trust you can get results!
I have never written grants for anything. I am looking into applying for them, and I am looking to operate my own non profit later in life, so I figured this is a good start. A high school choir organization that I currently volunteer for is in dire need of some grant assistance, so I am taking it upon myself to figure out some of these details. It is a bit much but I am taking these initial steps to learn about what all I need to do first. Any other tips for my position? I am incredibly ignorant to this world!
I would examine what other revenue streams they have as well (as grants are highly competitive). Do they have a diverse revenue strategy?
@@AmberMelanieSmith not particularly. Fundraisers are probably the biggest source, which there are only a handful of smaller ones, and one larger event that is somewhat the backbone of the program. This has been scaled back though in years due to a lack of passion for it by the teacher, which leads me to believe they will phase it out in the distant future. Other than those there are only a handful of sponsorships involved.
WOW, I really thought I could do this, until I watched htis video. 1. I do NOT have a Board of Members, I'm doing this on my own. 2. Don't have past data to show success because I have NEVER done this before, so I do not have past successes or failures, because I have never done this before. 3. I do not yet know what my expenses will be, I have nver done this before. 4. I do not have staff, I have never done this before. I need the Grant in order to start the Non-profit. If I already had the money to do everything I need to do to prove to those companies that my nonprofit is a success and board members and staff (which I don't have) now what they are doing, then I probably wouldn't need the grant because it sounds expensive. No 'History' yet, I have never done this before, but I do have a Mission statement - Project description. (Thankfully it doesn't cost a fortune to write things down). Annual Budget and Program or Project Budget? Do not know yet, I have never done this before. Official non-Profit Status, I'll have to research how to get a non-501C3) but seeing as I've never done this before aren't I already automatically a 'non-501C3? Kidding, government stuff, they have to have legal papers for everything. BTW the ho,e;ess [ep[;e pm tje street are a;sp non-profit (Just an observation).
Hopefully, towards the end of my comment here I made you laugh at least a little bit. This is EXTREMELY depressing. No chance of success if you do't already have money or an army of people working with you? Great, just great. The Non-Profit I WANT TO START is for people, like me who have escaped Cults. Your video makes me feel like it is 'hopeless', and Not Possible because I don't already have money, or an army of people or staff with amazingly perfected skills.
I'm just a cult survivor who wants to help other cult survivors. Do you have anything, any 'You Can Do This' information for someone who has NEVER does this before, is just getting started, doesn't have a lot of money, nor an army of talented board members and staff. I'm just getting started here. I don't think this video is for people like me. I think it's for people who already have a non-profit, it is not for people who've never done this before, have no idea (yet) what they are doing, but are desperately wanting to learn HOW they can do this. I thought the Grants would help people wanting to start a nonprofit get started.
I guess I was wrong.
- Joann Hope.
P.S. I didn't mean this comment to anger anyone, or insult anyone. It is coming out of pure frustration and disapointment. I was excited about doing this, had confidence that I could do this, until I watched this video. I am hoping that you will reply to my comment with some encouragement and tell me HOW I can do this, how someone who has NEVER done this before, does not have an army of board members and staff, doesn't know how expensive it's gonig to be, I am hoping you'll reply with things I CAN do, so that I can get a Grant for my NonProfit. First thing off the top of my head is: RESEARCH. That one is no biggie for me, I actually love research, it's why I am watching this video.
Nevermind, you provided the 'HOPE' I needed towards the end of this video. However, I think you sholuld have placed it at the beginning of the video. Because people like who who are looking to START a nonprofit will also be watching. I had almost stopped watching the video. I'm glad I didn't stop watching, but can't help wondering how many others had stopped watching before you addressed the people who are just now tryting to start a nonprofit.
Thanks for sharing your story! Starting a nonprofit does unfortunately include several legal steps (including having a Board) which can feel like a barrier (and I'm not a fan of barriers to making an impact!), but if I can do it, so can others, with a little patience and hard work!
@@AmberMelanieSmith That's why I was glad you said what you'd said towards the end of the video. Actually, I should have known the video was for people who've already started a nonprofit, because of the title of the video, but somehow, I think because I was so excited to do this, I forgot about that. Thanks again!!
FYI: Choosing July to June for fiscal year is ideal for non profits that execute events in the fall or spring.
I know many who do this!
I'm trying to think about KPI's for providing housing for the elderly, who are "declining" and our programs just delay it...
For something like that, I would probably look at it in terms of quality of life. How much is their life improved by having your nonprofit's housing? Etc.
I
Thank you very much for your educative videos, I am a beginner and want to apply for grants. I find your videos very useful.
Subby
Thank you so much for watching!
Your presentation is clear, thorough, useful, relevant, and detailed. Brilliantly done, thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
Thank You , Excited to learn more from You . Thumbs Up and Subscibed.
Thanks and welcome!
An excellent and informative presentation Amber. I frequently refer our SCORE clients to view your presentations. Thanks for all you do!
Wonderful! Thank you Robert!
Good evening, Amber! I am very anxious to get in touch with you. How can I? I watch your videos all the time I subscribed to on UA-cam about nonprofit organizations. Is there any way I can get in touch via email or post? I shall be grateful.
Hey there! Are you part of my FB group yet? That's a good first stop! facebook.com/groups/changetheworldorbust
Wonderful session Amber
Glad it was helpful!
Hello and good afternoon I hope you are well. I have started a charity in England uk where we aim to offer counselling to people on benefits/low incomes. Is there anyway that might fund this ? Thank you
I responded to your question on the other video - hope it helps :)
I'm a special needs mum of 2 from Nigeria planning to establish an educational/therapy centre that would help young children with such disabilities and create an inclusive community to help them cope and contribute to the society.
How can I obtain grant for a startup?
Hey there! Start with a business plan to show how you'll achieve your impacts and bring in sustainable revenue after starting up. That will help with grant applications.
I want to help NGO´s in the developing world apply for grants. Does that mean they have to register in the US?
I think they'd need to be registered in their own countries of operation.
Thank you for the valuable information!
Hope it was helpful!
Thanks!
Thank you SOOO much for supporting the channel!!
Can I apply from outside America
Each grant is different.
Great job 👍
Is there grant opportunity for developing Nations Seminaries?
Could you help us?
This video may help you! 6 Types of Grants for Nonprofits (and how to find them) ua-cam.com/video/smIfTdId-4c/v-deo.html
Hello and good afternoon. I hope you are well. We are currently trying to get funding for our next project where we will be providing counselling/ psychotherapy sessions for people on benefits and low incomes. We are based in England, UK. And we are a Community Interest Company. Thank You George
Welcome to the channel!
@@AmberMelanieSmith Hello and thank you for replying
Thank you for this very useful advice Melanie, it will really make a difference the way we plan ahead.
So glad to hear it! (It's Amber :))
I am a manifesting human being. I always manifest the great things that God wants me to have.
⚡
This was thorough and helpful question?
can you speak about having a nonprofit that was defunct and now you want to include that regarding new information? So it can be known that, even though you change names, you did have a not for profit in the past giving you somewhat of a history instead of the investor thinking that you're new.
I think it would depend on what happened with the defunct nonprofit. If it is defunct because something went wrong, that might be a red flag for a funder.
@@AmberMelanieSmith it was a partnership when I decided to break away and doing on my own, the other partner did not want to be involved with a nonprofit anymore
Thanks for the videos. Greetings from CHARLOTTE, NC
Thanks for watching!
Great!
☺
Great content. Thank you!
My pleasure!
Thank you
Welcome to the channel!
Amber, all of the information is right on time. Gems, Gems and more Gems! You are a God Send? 😅
No more FOTU😢!
🎉❤🥰💯
I am happy to hear the video was helpful!
Im looking to start my nonprofit for healthare reform and global climate change plan thanks for you input i need funding to register.
Hope this helps you get started!
Amber Melanie Smith, good job as always!.
Thanks! :)
Thank you for the information.
I'm creating a nonprofit organization but the project is to create substance abuse detox centers in memory of my father.
Can you help me?
Hey Figgie! I would start with a business plan! Check out my video on that, it may help!
✌👍😎🙏🇺🇸
:)
I find it very difficult to help those individuals that thinks that grant writing is a instant fix and it can be accomplished in two to three days! They want you to do the work for them. I call them lazy individuals that want to reap all the profits and do nothing to earn them. These individuals make it hard to help them.😔💔
I think grants and nonprofits in general have been portrayed a certain way and it has affected public perception about how challenging it can be to get funding. When I first started, I also thought grants would be easier than they are! I get it - wouldn't it be a dream to have someone hear about your mission, fall in love, and want to fund it? :) That's why I try to share many different revenue streams for nonprofits here; people may not realize all their options.
Really great tips thanks !
Yay!
I realy like your presentation @Amber
I'm so happy to hear it!
Hello! Would the monthly rent for an animal shelter- where the cats are housed - be a direct or indirect expense? I feel like it's a direct cost since it is where the animals live, but I'm not sure. 🤔 I am applying for a few grants and I'm not sure where to put this on the budget. Thank you for any input!
I think that would be a direct cost, at least whatever portion the cats are housed in, in my opinion. You can't house the cats without the shelter!
@@AmberMelanieSmith thank you! That's what I was thinking!
Thanks for this great Session Amber .
You're so welcome!
This is great!
Hope it was helpful Michael!