“In a world, where change was waiting and innovation rewarded, there was one entrepreneur who came to conquer”...we bring you the--- THE SOCIAL SECTOR

Hold up.

Let’s bring up the house lights for a second because before this epic storyline can truly take off we need to focus on the pre-production. There are many MANY social entrepreneurs taking root in today’s startup culture. For those out there looking for tax-exempt status and to file as a 501(c)(3) here is our Beginning Guide to Starting a Nonprofit.

Inception

When you are building a business plan of course you want to make sure you do the homework of clearly defining your goals, mission, and attainable objectives. Plus, on top of this, you also want to do what the overly aggressive call: “opposition research”. Deep dive into what similar nonprofits are doing. Can you build on this or make it unique? Or are you simply reinventing the wheel?

Good Will Hunting

A huge component of your startup and business plan will be your company’s name. Once you decide on a name for your nonprofit, double-check to make sure that the name isn’t already registered and that you have access to possible domain names for your website. Some states require that your name include an identifying word like “incorporated” or “limited,” so check into your particular state’s regulations. Once you are ready, make sure you register this name with your state. It might be worth it to purchase a month of Legalzoom to help you with this. Many websites can search for available domain names and extensions for you.

Money Ball

Now is the time to start opening up a bank account, figuring out an initial startup budget, and adding up the costs of filing fees, website domain purchases, etc.

The Usual Suspects

Before filing for the tax-exempt status you will want to start gathering up materials and resources that you’ll need to reference in your paperwork. For example, you need to have your new nonprofit’s bylaws written out to apply for tax exemptions and to file your Articles of Incorporation. Plus, you want to start reaching out to people and showing them your business plan. This is all to build your board of directors. Who do you want to serve on your board? Do they have prior board experience? What are each person’s strengths and abilities?

The Ice Man Cometh

Fill out IRS’s form SS_4 online to obtain your Employee Identification Number. You can then apply for tax-exempt status. Don’t forget! You’ll still need to get business licenses and permits from your state, city, and federal governments. Yay!

It takes a lot to start a nonprofit, but to keep one going is an epic trilogy in itself. Being a startup can be thrilling but it's not without its sacrifices. As soon as you have the above done on your checklist the real work begins. You need to set up best practices, volunteers, office space if you need it, programs, grant writing, marketing, and eventually hiring a staff, board governance, etc. Yet, ideas for progress and redemption are the driving force-or the glue-keeping society together. You are now a huge part of that. Go forth and be part of the movement.

We have created our Nonprofit Growth Assesment quiz to help you assess your readiness for growth as a startup nonprofit. At the end of the quiz you will find additional resources and steps we recommend you take depending on the stage your organization is currently at.

Nonprofit Growth Assesment

Are you interested in further guidance on what it takes to start a nonprofit? Maybe you are looking for fiscal sponsorship or you could be a great candidate for our Incubator Program. Contact us here to find out more or visit our website: mockingbirdincubator.org to discover more about this step-by-step social startup program.

And in keeping with this blog’s movie theme, here are some social change docs that we highly recommend.

13th, An in-depth look at the prison system in the United States and how it reveals the nation's history of racial inequality.
Catching the Sun. An unemployed American worker, a Tea Party activist, and a Chinese solar entrepreneur race to lead the clean energy future.
Waiting for Superman: A documentarian follows promising kids through a system that inhibits, rather than encourages, academic growth, undertaking an exhaustive review of public education, surveying "drop-out factories" and "academic sinkholes," methodically dissecting the system and its seemingly intractable problems.
The Social Dilemma. Explores the dangerous human impact of social networking, with tech experts sounding the alarm on their own creations.
Seaspiracy. Passionate about ocean life, a filmmaker sets out to document the harm that humans do to marine species - and uncovers alarming global corruption.
Period. End of Sentence. Indian women fight the stigma surrounding menstruation and begin manufacturing sanitary pads.