Starting A Non-Profit: Grants

"About 90 percent of applicants are rejected just for not following the required guidelines," this startling was revelation made by Elana Edelstein, Assistant Director of Communications, Marketing and Foundation at Glendale College. While applying for grants most of the non-profit organizations fail to follow the prescribed guidelines, resulting in the rejection of their applications.

The method of grant writing is similar to making a comprehensive business plan.

Follow a blue print: before writing grant proposals, you should have a thorough understanding of the program and its core requirements. An ideal grant proposal should clearly project the organizational set up and objectives to qualify the standards of availing grants. Just like a weak and discreditable business plan would be rejected outright by the Venture Capitalists, an off- target grant proposal also would fall flat in its face for not being credible.

Participate in a grant writing forum: There are many short-term grant-writing seminars on offer such as like Grantmanship Training, which would improve your skills and strategies in preparing a precise and perfect grant proposal in no time.

Flash a robust financial outlay: A sound and sensible financial plan with accurate projection can enhance your chances of getting the grant proposal approved. You should have a well laid out plan on how you are planning to spend the grant.

Stress on research: Extensive research forms the bedrock of any business plan, you should have a firm grip on the Mission, Vision, and Objectives of the organization. Take time to carry out a comprehensive analysis. You can take out your proposal from the rest of the group and try to make out the upsides of your organization with respect to the others. Take a close look at your competitors' business plans, stuffy their tax returns, and their sources of the grants-the most important piece of strategic information you might ever need. Play smart; the easiest and the most sure shot way to get the grant would be to approach the same donors who offered grants to your competitors.

Tag along the guidelines: Make sure to follow the guidelines strictly as any complacency in this area might spell doom on all your future plans. Strictly follow the guidelines as application grants very often require you to comply with some of the most stringent guidelines in the industry. You stand a better chance of bagging the grant just by following the guidelines.

Make the most of Internet: make sure to employ the Internet to your maximum benefit, now that all the facts and figures are right at your finger tips.

Starting A Non-Profit: Email Marketing

Though internet and email have revolutionized the conventional business building techniques, it is surprising that many non profit organizations do not make use of this powerful marketing tool to collect email addresses and to make a data base of their members, patrons and activists.

Most non-profit organizations still communicate with their members using the conventional means such as mail or phone. It is estimated that 30% of the total population of the United States and Canada have access to the internet, which translates into the creamy pie the customer base. It goes without saying that by not using the email effectively these non profit organizations are missing out a huge chunk of potential customers who would make these organizations formidable. Even if your own non-profit organization does not use of email for communication, it could still be used for compiling vital statistics and customer data base that would come handy in future.

Typically, newsletters have always been the time tested tools of communication among the non profit organizations. However many a time, newsletters fail to convey timely information as there will be a time lapse of over two months between creating the design, printing and mailing them. Where as email communication ensures the swiftest mode of communication where you share the latest developmental activities of the organization among the patrons and members online. In addition, you can also save a pretty penny by way of printing and postage charges. So, it is high time that the non profit organizations, especially those with membership groups, start exploiting the email technology to streamline its activities.

Remember that the most effective email newsletters would be those that cater to the target audience. Make sure to know the pulse of the audience while designing online newsletters to be bang on target. In addition, you can also add snappy email broadcast messages, latest organizational information, handy tips, events calendar or educational opportunities in your industry among others.

It would ensure steady interaction with the audience and would notch up the open rate among your members. Make sure to send newsletters promptly and consistently; for instance if you are bringing out a weekly newsletter ensure that it reaches the viewers at the same day same time to cater to the anticipation of the interested viewers who might miss it out otherwise if sent randomly.

Make it interesting so that the readers might be tempted to forward it to their friends and associates. You can also create a link that would automatically forward the newsletter if the reader finds it useful. Newsletters can also be dispatched to non members in a way to increase the customer base of your nonprofit organization.

Starting A Non-Profit: Getting Started

The million dollar question of how to start a non profit successfully looms large in the minds of many aspirants. It is more of a gamble where many companies perish faster than they sprout. In the US out of the 30,000 nonprofits created annually, 50 percent of the companies flop. The reasons are not clear however lack of planning and coordination are cited as the major causes for this debacle by business analysts.

Once you decide to do business, the next important thing to decide is whether it going to be a non profit for the promotion of a specific cause or for profit. The major difference between these two genres is that while nonprofits utilize the revenue to carry out their programs for profit companies share the profits among its promoters and stockholders.

How to start a nonprofit successfully?

Setting up a non profit that promotes your social cause to enhance the quality of lives on earth can be affected if the handy keys are tagged along. This block by block illustration would empower you to set up a 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity in no time. In case you are on the look out of more comprehensive information on filing the documents, sample bylaws, and sample articles of organization are easily available on our website.

1. Make a mission statement: A simple and snappy catchphrase in or two short sentences that form the quintessence of the objectives, values and ideologies of your organization. The mission statement should explain all the vital details like the people behind it, the line of action, its future goals and the area of operation among others. A good mission statement is half your job done as it conveys your ideas clearly and precisely to the customers thereby offering a jump start to any organization and its prospects.
2. Setting up a Board of Directors. A board of directors is compulsory for a nonprofit organization and the number of members might differ in various states. A perfect board which supports the mission could be a great driving force behind any successful nonprofit organization. The members should devote their time and faculties in making the mission possible.
3. Draft and File Articles of Incorporation. Articles of Incorporation form the official testament of the formation of your non profit organization, which should be files in the corresponding state agencies. It is an important piece of document which shields you from legal liabilities that this organization might get into in future. It rests the responsibility of holding the debts and liabilities on the corporation and not the individuals functioning in the organization. Make sure to seek the legal aid from an attorney, experienced in non profit law so tat you do not end up in a soup by committing some major blunders.
4. Draft Bylaws. Though non profit organizations need not be file the Bylaws for the 501(c)(3) status these could be a handy blue book on the day to day governance of the organization.
5. Allocate a budget. A budget is nothing but the financial plan of your company that helps in attaining the company goals. Without sufficient funding your objectives and missions might fall on their face. Garnering the start up income and planning outlay for each expense could very well be your greatest challenge while setting up a non profit. In case you find the going hard, do take professional advise

Starting A Non-Profit: Tips

Today, there are many entrepreneurs who don various roles in the functioning of non profit organizations. There are many types of non -profit organizations such as non -descript children's sports teams, local chapters of societies, or reputed charitable services with a fair standing. The organizational setup and the management style also might vary from case to case. In some cases there would be only a couple of people to handle all the chores while in some others there will be a well managed set up with a professional team manned by well paid staff. Here are some useful tips that would aid you in running an organization successfully.

What is Non-profit?

The term Non profit, Not-for-Profit, or Tax-exempt relate to a peculiar type of business entity recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a non profit organization unlike a regular business line aimed at making profits. Non profit entities enjoy tax exemption. An accounting professional proficient in non profit tax rules would be the best person to guide you in this matter. Nonetheless if you are a very small non profit organization with the approved non profit status issued by IRS, you can handle the affairs easily as you are right on track.

Many people misinterpret non-profit entities as loss making organizations. However the fact is that you still have to make profits and the only startling difference is in the utilization of the extra revenue generated. Sustainable business operation is possible only if your income is more than the expenses. Nonetheless in a non profit organization the excess money is used up for fulfilling its mission and noble deeds while in a for-profit business, the profit will be shared among the promoters.

Doing the ground work

Make sure to have a well laid out plan before jumping head long into the business. There should be planning sessions at regular intervals to take stock of the situation and to assess that everything is going as per the original plan. A planned approach could go a long way in ensuring the general well being of the organization.

The type of planning and the time required for it will ultimately depend on the size of the entity and the nature of your business line. In case you are in the helm of affairs managing the show single handedly all you might ever require is a handy to-do list that you could jot out in a few minutes. However in large organizations, you need to put your head together with those of other board members to chalk out plans to materialize the organizational objectives and goals by guiding the organization in the right direction.

HOW TO START A DATING AND ESCORT SERVICE

Starting and operating a successful Dating and Escort Service can
bring in $60,000 or more per year for the sharp, aggressive,
imaginative business person. The secret to success with a
business of this kind is advertising that presents your services
with a "show business" flair---while still maintaining good
taste.

To get started, you need an impressive looking application form.
Research into a number of successful operations seems to indicate
that a four-page application works well.

This should be typeset with an attractive letterhead or company
masthead on 11 by 17 inch paper, folded in half to give the
impression of a "personal file." your best paper colors are
either pale blue or ivory. The better paper stock you can afford,
the more impressive your application will be--giving a greater
aura of credibility to your business, and thus to prospective
clients.

In addition to the usual questions such as name, address,
telephone number, marital status, place of employment, hobbies,
likes and dislikes, your application should contain:

*** A short personality test which can be obtained with a bit of
research at your public library. For ideas, samples, and even
tests you can use intact, be sure to check some of the modern
women's magazines. And don't discount the idea of registering at
an already established business of this type; or possibly you can
see their application form without actually involving yourself
any further. Or inquire among friends and acquaintances who have
registered with a dating or escort service.


*** Near the end of the application, you should include a short
paragraph pointing up the fact that your organization, in
addition to bringing people together as a dating service, also
provides an escort service for out-of-town visitors and local
non-members. You then pose the question: "Would you be interested
in these kinds of dates, which would include all expenses, and a
minimum fee of $25 for what usually amounts to a very delightful
time with an interesting person. Your only obligation ever is to
be your usual charming self, and enjoy."

*** Just before or above the blank for your applicant's
signature, include a legal disclaimer to any responsibilities or
promises implied and/or not specifically stated within the
application.

The building in which your locate: for this one, you'll need a
store-front office, and it should be in a better part of the
business district in your city. Try to select a site that is
upbeat and attractive without being"jivey"--one that would appeal
to the more conservative or mature as well as the younger
generation. Many of your clients are going to be mature, and be
reminded, the mature, intelligent sector of our society
is"getting younger" and more vigorous,"still interested in
life"more than in years past. In other words, the section where
you locate should reflect a modern attitude, but with solid
values.

The reception area of your office should be large and comfortable
with as expensive a look as you can manage. Your receptionist is
very important--very. She should be attractive, with a vivacious
and outgoing personality. She should be able to quickly put your
prospective clients at ease, and generally make them feel that
belonging to your group is going to be the beginning of happier
times, fun, and lasting friendships.

You should have at least two expensive looking picture scrapbooks
on the coffee table in your reception room. These you can fill
with portrait or candid shots of members and clients. These
pictures can pose a problem for you while you are in the
beginning stages--so don't hesitate to gather pictures of various
relatives, friends who are not necessary located in your area--or
even visit a nearby campus and ask if you can take pictures of
some of the best looking men and women. You will need to get a
release signed by each one, and you simply explain that you are
putting together a picture display book of terrific looking
people in your area for the promotion of your business, and their
names and any other information will not be publicized or
released.

After your prospective client has filled out the application, the
next step is a personal interview. Your office should be cozy and
comfortable, but business-like, and you should arrange for
uninterrupted time in complete privacy with each person.

You should use the interview to go over the application, answer
any questions, and close the membership sale. you also use this
interview as the basis of your estimate of the kind of person
most likely to match this client. Be empathetic with your
clients; you are going to meet people who are tired of the
"dating game" as it is usually played out in the singles bars and
unproductive groups they had joined before. You might get added
help in the area of interviewing by writing for advertising
material and brochures from similar services in other areas,
adapting any techniques you like to your on interviewing process.

Most escort services we looked into publish a monthly newsletter
with tidbits of information and gossip about members. Who's doing
what; job changing; who's traveling where; plus a listing of
upcoming events and activities. Listing the names of new members
is also a good idea, and quotes from members who are active and
enjoying the service. Some of these newsletters feature"girl and
guy of the month" with lots of pictures-"on the town", involved
in hobbies at home, and candid shots in everyday life. Usually,
the escort service itself will sponsor an "all membership" party
about once every three months to introduce other members and
project a sense of "family" and belonging.

As we said earlier, advertising is the key to your success with
this project. A small classified ad, run for about a week in the
"Personals" column of your area newspaper,should start the ball
rolling for you. Some ideas for pulling inquires from men might
read like this: "Career woman, new to the area,seeking dates with
honest, fun-loving guys. Call Barbara 123-4567," or, "Young
recent divorcee ready to start dating again Call Linda at
234-5678."

And for attracting inquires from women: "Young business executive
wants to meet eligible ladies. Call Ron at 345-6789," or, "Active
and ambitious young man wants to meet wholesome, All-American
kind of girl. Call Brian at 456-7890."

At the time you have an ad this type running, you'll want to have
a bulletin board ads and notices on all the college campuses, in
as many company newspapers as you can get into, and where ever
people are most likely to take notice. This ad should be a
straight advertisement inviting people to "get out of the rat
race" of the singles game by joining your organization. You'll of
course emphasize confidentiality, respectability, and the fact
you deal only with people who are really serious about meeting
new friends and forming lasting relationships.

Your ads soliciting new members should tell readers you'll help
them meet new friends and enjoy dates with people especially
matched to their own likes and dislikes. A sense of fun and
excitement should be conveyed, but at the same time, honesty,
respectability and trust. You cannot use flashy headlines or
pictures of models that give a connotation of an invitation into
the bedroom. write your ads from the point of view of the people
you want to sell to--build from what you believe to be their
special wants, and visualize their thinking. Put yourself in the
place of the prospective new member, and understand that it takes
a great deal of nerve, we might even call it COURAGE, to make
that move to ask for help in dating. (It is generally easier to
just let things slide along--stay in the same old "lonesome rut"
than ask for help--and risk disappointment.)

You'll have to have a "planned explanation" when people call in
answer to your ads. Quickly get the name and phone number, ask a
few questions, then set up an appointment for him or her to come
into your office. When you are in the interview, be
bright,inviting,but factual and brief--and DON'T lose control of
the conversation. Best to have your questions and answers written
out in order that works best to pull the prospect into your
office, and then follow it to the letter.

When you're ready to expand with the Escort Services, get the
word out to all the likely places where people are wanting these
services will see your ads or hear about you in friend-to-friend
conversation. Have some interesting posters made up inviting
people to call asking about your good-looking, friendly, and
charming escorts for every occasion--dinner dates, banquets,
parties, theater dates, dancing, special occasions. Try to get
one of these upon the wall at the airport, train and bus
stations, and in better hotel and motel lobbies in your
area--anywhere else that travelers are likely to notice them.

Run a regular ad in your Thursday and Fridays papers, and also in
the yellow pages of your telephone directory. Pass out business
cards to all the car rental agencies and restaurants near the
travel centers and to anyone and everyone having anything to do
with convention or tourist arrangements in your area.


You will have to experiment and test to determine the right fee
to charge for providing an escort, but with most escort services,
the minimum is $50, pus all expenses.

This is a business that will provide pleasure and profit to a
person who is outgoing, fun-loving, gregarious, but who is
sensitive to the needs of others, and enjoys seeing people "get a
new start," or seeing more reserved ones "come out of their
shells." It takes more to get started in this business than it
does for some other endeavors, but this is one that can start
small and grow, improve, and even spread to franchising size.

Setting up a Home Office on a Shoestring Budget

Working from home is becoming a more popular option with many in today's workforce. Whether you telecommute or have abandoned the rat race in favor of setting up your own home business, or just simply need a place to land to take care of the bill paying and the home organization chores, a home office has become a necessary space in many homes. Whether you set up a corner office in your kitchen, designate a guest room to double as your office, or set up a location in your basement, it's crucial that your home office include all the elements that contribute to your productivity, efficiency and overall success.
But setting up a home office doesn't have to break your bank account. Very few of us can afford the luxury of having a professional organizer devise an office system for us. Don't despair; there are many creative ways to devise your space .
Maybe you are able to have a separate room for your office. If so, that's great. You'll have lots of elbow room. But if you don't, there's lots of ways to utilize the space you can carve out for one. Whatever space you choose, make sure it's a space that can be dedicated to your office, and doesn't double as an arts and crafts table for your kids or a workbench for your spouse's do-it-yourself projects on the weekends.
Take a look at your space and see what you can do easily and inexpensively to spruce it up and make it conducive to working from home. Sometimes just a fresh coat of paint, some strategically hung pictures or some simple stencil work can brighten up an otherwise dreary corner.
Next, look around your house to see what furnishings you already have. If there's a small unused table that could double as a desk, use it. You've probably got a comfortable chair in your dining room that could work fine as an office chair. Look around your home for some useable pieces that can be brought together successfully to create a comfortable and relaxing home office environment.
You may also already have book shelves, bins, baskets, boxes and a filing cabinet that could also be incorporated into your office. If you don't already have office supplies available, visit your favorite office supply or discount store and stock up on a few needed items and get your space organized and ready to roll.

Characteristics Of Entrepreneurs

Important Characteristics Every Entrepreneur Must Have
Are you planning to start and run your own business? Do you know the right qualifications and characteristics an entrepreneur must have to succeed? Does your profile match that of a successful entrepreneur? In this article we will explore and discuss the essential characteristics that every entrepreneur must have. There are several important traits and values that are common among successful entrepreneurs. Before you go and start your enterprise, it will be very helpful to think and reflect whether you have what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur. If not, you can also start developing these character traits.
1. Successful Entrepreneurs are Self-Confident – to succeed in the highly competitive business world, confidence and trust in oneself is an indispensable trait. Self-confidence means trusting your own powers and capabilities. The world of entrepreneurship is not alien to failure and disappointments. To survive in such a cutthroat world, an entrepreneur must have the ability to look within himself and find the drive and persistence to pursue his enterprise. An entrepreneur must have the gumption to face any adversity and tackle any problems that may be encountered in the world of business.
2. Successful Entrepreneurs are Risk-takers – being an entrepreneur means having the ability to trust your hunches and acting on them. Great business ideas sometimes start as a hunch which enterprising individuals acted upon. There is always the risk of loss in any endeavor, and entrepreneurs have just the right confidence to take calculated risks to achieve their objective. However, an entrepreneur’s risk-taking does not depend on luck, but on sheer effort and hard work.
3. Successful Entrepreneurs know the value of money and are careful about their finances – to succeed in any business; an entrepreneur must understand the value of money and the cost of things. Typically, successful entrepreneurs learned how to earn and value money at a young age. Most of them started out by earning loose change as teenagers mowing lawns, doing groceries, babysitting for neighbors, etc.
4. Successful entrepreneurs have the so-called head for business – many entrepreneurs are gifted with intuition: they know what product or service is going to ‘click’ next. However, this ability does not involve clairvoyance or extra sensory powers of some sort, but rather, keen observation and understanding of what is going on around him. A good entrepreneur is always on the look out for new ideas and new ways to make money.
5. Successful Entrepreneurs are competitive – the world of business is a very competitive environment. An entrepreneur must be aggressive enough to pursue his goal despite having many rivals and competitors. An entrepreneur must know how to stay ahead of his competitors, either by introducing new ideas and exploring new ventures, all in the spirit of expanding his business.
6. Successful Entrepreneurs are honorable and have a good work ethic – although it is a fact that the business world is ruthless, but the successful entrepreneur will strive to make every business deal honorable. The mark of a successful entrepreneur lies in a good personal work ethic that ultimately leads to good business practices, excellent reputation and good association with industry peers and business partners.
7. Successful Entrepreneurs know the importance of leisure time – hard work and determination are very important values every entrepreneur must have. However, a good entrepreneur knows when it’s time to take a step back from all the rigors of business and enjoy some downtime with their family. Besides, we all do need a little relaxation to refresh the body and mind before plunging back into the challenging (and stressful) world of business.
These are just seven of the most important characteristics of an entrepreneur. Of course, the characteristics every entrepreneur must have are not limited to the ones mentioned. Having these characteristics is not a guarantee that an entrepreneur will be successful. But with these characteristics, an entrepreneur has just the right ingredients for success. All one needs to do is to find the right mix of these values, excellent timing, perhaps a bit of luck and, of course, faith in oneself. So, do you have what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur? Go over these characteristics and values mentioned and reflect if you do have these.