Charity Ideas? Who is left out? (attorney, high school, universities)

[ElleKaye]

I have a friend who is starting a 501c3. You might wonder who starts a non-profit without a cause, but he wants donations instead of personal gifts for his birthday next year. He has a fundraising goal of $50K for the first year which is doable but has been dragging his feet finding a human fundraiser because he hasn't committed to a cause.

Thus far he's leaning towards some sort of mentorship program (sounds too vague to be planned and successfully executed within the time frame) or an academic scholarship for college.

I know the need is there, but there are lots of resources for those two areas already.

So, I want to suggest some often overlooked areas of need. I was hoping some of you may have ideas. Depending on the charity, the stipend could be divided between multiple recipients instead of a lump sum to one.

Any ideas?

[Beretta]

That's awesome. My advice is that he should really do something that speaks to his heart. His passion will carry forward for years (and birthdays) to come with him personally.

[Born 2 Roll]

Originally Posted by ElleKaye

I have a friend who is starting a 501c3. You might wonder who starts a non-profit without a cause, but he wants donations instead of personal gifts for his birthday next year. He has a fundraising goal of $50K for the first year which is doable but has been dragging his feet finding a human fundraiser because he hasn't committed to a cause.

Thus far he's leaning towards some sort of mentorship program (sounds too vague to be planned and successfully executed within the time frame) or an academic scholarship for college.

I know the need is there, but there are lots of resources for those two areas already.

So, I want to suggest some often overlooked areas of need. I was hoping some of you may have ideas. Depending on the charity, the stipend could be divided between multiple recipients instead of a lump sum to one.

Any ideas?

One particularly overlooked area of need seems to be domestic violence prevention....Particularly in regards to relationships that end in gun violence with one partner (typically the male partner/boyfriend/ex-boyfriend/husband/ex-husband, etc) using a firearm to maim and/or kill the other person in the relationship (typically the female partner/girlfriend/ex-girlfriend/wife/ex-wife, etc) and sometimes even any children that may be involved in the relationship.

From what I understand, Georgia (not unlike many other parts of the nation and American society as a whole, unfortunately) has a significant problem with relationships that end in injury, maiming and/or death from firearm violence perpetuated by one person in the relationship (typically the male) against the other (typically the female).

Fulton County Assistant District Attorney April Ross who was shot, gravely injured and paralyzed in a murder-suicide shooting by her estranged husband that also killed a friend of hers whom she was sitting in a vehicle with is one of the most prominent (and unfortunately one of the most recent) examples of a relationship that ended in firearm violence perpetuated by one partner against the other partner and their friends and family members.

Domestic violence prevention and non-violence conflict resolution counseling would be a really good place for your friend to start allocating financial resources and fundraising proceeds towards.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by Born 2 Roll

One particularly overlooked area of need seems to be domestic violence prevention....Particularly in regards to relationships that end in gun violence with one partner (typically the male partner/boyfriend/ex-boyfriend/husband/ex-husband, etc) using a firearm to maim and/or kill the other person in the relationship (typically the female partner/girlfriend/ex-girlfriend/wife/ex-wife, etc) and sometimes even any children that may be involved in the relationship.

An outstanding suggestion, B2R. The victims of domestic violence also need support after the fact. They often literally have no where to go, which is an even bigger dilemma if there are children or pets involved.

[Born 2 Roll]

Originally Posted by arjay57

An outstanding suggestion, B2R. The victims of domestic violence also need support after the fact. They often literally have no where to go, which is an even bigger dilemma if there are children or pets involved.

Those are excellent points, arjay.

One incident of domestic violence in particular that stands out to me at the moment as being particularly tragic is from years ago when a star running back from McEachern High School was shot and killed by his mother's estranged boyfriend while trying to protect his mother from him during a physical attack.

I can't remember his name at the moment, but the kid was a senior at McEachern who was only a few weeks from graduating high school and going off to Vanderbilt University on a full-ride athletic scholarship.

That was so heartbreaking because the kid (who did lots of volunteer work in the community) was an asset to his community who had his entire life ahead of him and was shot down and killed in a senseless act of violence.

It was just one of way too many tragic instances that results from when issues are resolved with gun violence.

[brown_dog_us]

I like Born 2 Roll's idea, but if your friend needs another idea then take a look at the current opiod epidemic. A quick google search will show you how bad it's getting, and how it tends to get swept under the rug.

[LTCM]

Just remember, donations to charities are not tax deductible during the first few years of the foundation's life. It takes 2-3 years before people can begin to write donations off on their taxes. That's a huge downside to forming a new 501c3.

[Beretta]

Great points!

Existing charities or establishing a scholarship or a gift to an established non profit if there is a desire for a new fund are great choices (healthcare organizations, colleges/universities).

Also, not all domestic abuse is violent; plenty of emotional/psychological and not all physical violence involves guns.

Surely there is a list somewhere of all local existing charities?

[Mattie]

Originally Posted by ElleKaye

I have a friend who is starting a 501c3. You might wonder who starts a non-profit without a cause, but he wants donations instead of personal gifts for his birthday next year. He has a fundraising goal of $50K for the first year which is doable but has been dragging his feet finding a human fundraiser because he hasn't committed to a cause.

Thus far he's leaning towards some sort of mentorship program (sounds too vague to be planned and successfully executed within the time frame) or an academic scholarship for college.

I know the need is there, but there are lots of resources for those two areas already.

So, I want to suggest some often overlooked areas of need. I was hoping some of you may have ideas. Depending on the charity, the stipend could be divided between multiple recipients instead of a lump sum to one.

Any ideas?

There are NEVER enough resources for established charities. I work for one. You friend could do more good by using the funds he raises to support the charities that have already paid for the legalities. I love what he wants to do, but it costs to set up a non-profit.