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Help with strategic guidance for needing the services you are wanting to provide for others

I am desperate to find mentors that could help me create something that is unique & a little different than the norm. I am caught between operating as a sole proprietorship for profit resale business or as a sole member non profit. I ultimately want to be able to assist communities in reaching those that need support the most because there are no other options when they are turned away. They are overlooked, unassisted & unable to move forward because there is absolutely no programs that will bother making sure the families needs get met versus requiring families to meet program needs. While funding is there & Covid brought so many ways that allow for flexible allowances but it isn't a requirement. A suggestion. An offer that could be taken but doesn't need to be in order to continue doing as they always have. There are NO solutions for families that should be able to use the same funding but can't because it isn't worth the time or energy. It is unacceptable to allow community centered services to provide absolutely NOTHING just because. It is happening & no one knows or is making it a point of urgency to fix this crisis. The problem I have is that I know this because I have been homeless with my son for going on 2 years within 2 states. That makes me think that there may be a much bigger issue & that I can't afford to NOT draw attention to it. But how can I successfully create, plan, operate, focus on this when I struggle so hard daily with issues that are so crucial & needs that are so basic but somehow, I remain in the same position because I don't have any power to challenge when I am told No. My kids do not deserve to go thru this or watch me go thru this. I am hopeful that I will be able to use my hardships as a motivational tool instead of a self destructive excuse. I want my voice to be heard because so many of us don't speak up. I want information to be available so that people can be educated & in the know. I want non profits to be held accountable for how they operate & be responsible in their positions of power. I want families to all have access to supportive services so that no one is turned away. I want to use my passion & drive while I am still young enough to do so because I may not have the same strength tomorrow. I would like to be able to have a simplified version so that I can easily explain my concept to others & planning documents that show more than my feelings. I want to apply for funding in any way I can - I have attempted to apply from sources not so widely know of because I am an individual & I am still unable to present myself or idea better. I am looking for experienced people that can help guide me because I am lacking in areas that I don not have the time to formally educate myself on.

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2 answers

Before anyone embarks on creating a business or a non-profit organization, I think you should establish a permanent home for yourself. If you are homeless, it will be difficult to run any type of organization. You have to be able to raise money as a nonprofit, you must develop and run specific programs that serve the public, you have to run an awareness campaign to pull in needy families, you have to report to a Board of Directors, etc. When you create an organization, there are important responsibilities that go with it. For example, you will need to build out capacity through a volunteer network, you have to recruit the right Board of Directors, you have to create a well thought out strategic plan, you have to run a pilot program related to your services, you have to obtain and maintain tax exempt status with the IRS. Until you stabilize your personal situation, I would advise you to hold off given the amount of work that is required. Good luck.

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To build on Matt's good advice, I'd also suggest

If you're not familiar with how the systems operate from the inside (and not just your experiences USING them), you should find a similar volunteer group and start working with them. This will give you some insight into "how the sausage is made". Knowing how the systems operate today (and where the gaps are) is the first step in creating a plan for change.

If you'd like to beef up your ability to push change through bureacracy, I suggest exploring the basic principles of Six Sigma. This is a classic process improvement approach, and a good way to clearly define gaps - and provide solutions - in a way that key decision makers can understand and appreciate. Your passion for this subject is clear; but having a structured and logical plan built on data is SUPER compelling and will go a long way with the right people.

Hope that helps,

  • Lauren

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