Ask an Expert
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DECEMBER 2022 TOPIC: The Challenges of Starting a Nonprofit
Dr. Emily Bobson, D.C.
Chiropractor Specializing in Family Chiropractic, Pregnancy & Pediatrics |
OUR EXPERT:
Dr. Emily Bobson, D.C., graduated from Life Chiropractic School in Marietta, Georgia in 2006, and, shortly afterward, opened her first chiropractic practice in Woodstock, NY. Today, she provides services in the Hudson Valley Region of New York. Her technique consists of a combination of Diversified, SOT, Activator, Thompson, Webster, Toggle Recoil, Gonstead, Network Spinal Analysis, Cox Flexion Distraction, Kinesiology, Muscle Testing, Sports Medicine and Extremities. She is focused on accommodating her clients’ individual needs. Emily has also been extremely involved in her community, facilitating the opening of an alternative health clinic in Kingston, New York and volunteering her time for years in order to educate and inform the public about the availability of diverse and non-invasive healing options. This passion for helping others and providing ways for everyone to have access to healing services led Emily to seek the establishment of a nonprofit that would have a mission to help her do just that. Emily's new nonprofit, Infinite Equitable Healing Foundation, will have a website available in early 2023. She is also planning a fundraiser and launch event. Stay tuned for more information about her nonprofit in Sanctuary. |
Throughout her comments for readers, Emily shares her insights about the obstacles she faced as well as some of the resources she found while developing a plan for her newly created nonprofit, Infinite Equitable Healing Foundation.
“How do I know who to choose as an effective board member? Should I have a nonprofit ‘expert’ on the board?” ~ Jeanine S. (PA)
Hi Jeanine,
Effective board members will be those whom you can work with well. They also need to be aligned with the purpose of the nonprofit you have designed. You should be the expert. The board should be composed of individuals that are passionate about the purpose and goals of the nonprofit organization. They will be the support for maintaining the integrity of the organization.
If you are looking to find grants and/or intend to raise more than 50k per year, then you will need to have professionals on the board that ideally have a good working knowledge of those types of specifics (e.g. the special forms that need to be filled out and the ins and outs of grant writing) as well as an intricate understanding of the financial goals of the organization.
“Is the paperwork really difficult? Should I get someone to help with that, such as a lawyer?” ~ Dawn (NJ)
Hi Dawn,
I would have to say the paperwork is challenging. Unless you are a professional in the nonprofit sector, it is likely out of your wheelhouse. So, if you have the extra money to invest in a company that sets the nonprofit up for you, I highly recommend it.
I used a company called Instant Nonprofit after trying it myself for a few years. I just didn't have the time or backround to get it done properly, so I finally deferred to the experts to do the work. If it was the only thing I was invested in, I probably could have done it myself. But I am extremely busy with my chiropractic practice, and it was a challenge for me to do both. For me, it made sense to pay experts to do it for me.
“How do you know that your idea is suited for a nonprofit organization vs. a for-profit business?” ~ Anonymous
Dear Anonymous,
If your idea can altruistically serve the community through a service or education, then it's a great way to serve on a larger scale. I researched different ways to get support for what I already do in a way that would help me offer my services to as many people as I could, whether they could afford it or not. I could see that I was going to have financial issues if I continued to offer people my services at a sliding scale fee or no charge. But I knew I was helping people and that it should be available to them regardless of ability to pay. So, I figured out how to maintain accessibility to those who couldn’t access out-of-pocket health care, while simultaneously making sure I could pay my overhead.
When I researched what other nonprofits were offering, I was surprised to see such a diverse range of types and models of nonprofits. If your idea is to have an altruistic organization but make a profit as well, take a look at B corps and hybrid organizations to see what might work best for your venture.
I would recommend looking up types of grants that are offered to nonprofits as well. This will give you a good sense of what is supported for the types of services and/or educational opportunities you plan to offer. One of my sources for information about forming and funding a nonprofit was from Candid.org.
Also Note: For-profits often create wholly-controlled nonprofits to serve as private foundations for their philanthropy.
“How do I know who to choose as an effective board member? Should I have a nonprofit ‘expert’ on the board?” ~ Jeanine S. (PA)
Hi Jeanine,
Effective board members will be those whom you can work with well. They also need to be aligned with the purpose of the nonprofit you have designed. You should be the expert. The board should be composed of individuals that are passionate about the purpose and goals of the nonprofit organization. They will be the support for maintaining the integrity of the organization.
If you are looking to find grants and/or intend to raise more than 50k per year, then you will need to have professionals on the board that ideally have a good working knowledge of those types of specifics (e.g. the special forms that need to be filled out and the ins and outs of grant writing) as well as an intricate understanding of the financial goals of the organization.
“Is the paperwork really difficult? Should I get someone to help with that, such as a lawyer?” ~ Dawn (NJ)
Hi Dawn,
I would have to say the paperwork is challenging. Unless you are a professional in the nonprofit sector, it is likely out of your wheelhouse. So, if you have the extra money to invest in a company that sets the nonprofit up for you, I highly recommend it.
I used a company called Instant Nonprofit after trying it myself for a few years. I just didn't have the time or backround to get it done properly, so I finally deferred to the experts to do the work. If it was the only thing I was invested in, I probably could have done it myself. But I am extremely busy with my chiropractic practice, and it was a challenge for me to do both. For me, it made sense to pay experts to do it for me.
“How do you know that your idea is suited for a nonprofit organization vs. a for-profit business?” ~ Anonymous
Dear Anonymous,
If your idea can altruistically serve the community through a service or education, then it's a great way to serve on a larger scale. I researched different ways to get support for what I already do in a way that would help me offer my services to as many people as I could, whether they could afford it or not. I could see that I was going to have financial issues if I continued to offer people my services at a sliding scale fee or no charge. But I knew I was helping people and that it should be available to them regardless of ability to pay. So, I figured out how to maintain accessibility to those who couldn’t access out-of-pocket health care, while simultaneously making sure I could pay my overhead.
When I researched what other nonprofits were offering, I was surprised to see such a diverse range of types and models of nonprofits. If your idea is to have an altruistic organization but make a profit as well, take a look at B corps and hybrid organizations to see what might work best for your venture.
I would recommend looking up types of grants that are offered to nonprofits as well. This will give you a good sense of what is supported for the types of services and/or educational opportunities you plan to offer. One of my sources for information about forming and funding a nonprofit was from Candid.org.
Also Note: For-profits often create wholly-controlled nonprofits to serve as private foundations for their philanthropy.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
Use of a For-Profit Subsidiary by a Nonprofit Organization (American Bar Association)
Nonprofit Models (Stanford Social Innovation Review)
Hybrid Organizations Allow Entrepreneurs to Pursue Both Profit and Social Good (Stroud, Willink, & Howard, LLC)
B Corp Non-Profit: Everything You Need to Know (Upcounsel)
Use of a For-Profit Subsidiary by a Nonprofit Organization (American Bar Association)
Nonprofit Models (Stanford Social Innovation Review)
Hybrid Organizations Allow Entrepreneurs to Pursue Both Profit and Social Good (Stroud, Willink, & Howard, LLC)
B Corp Non-Profit: Everything You Need to Know (Upcounsel)
