Answering the Call: Starting a Nonprofit
“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, in prison and you visited me” (Matthew 25: 35-36).
Starting a nonprofit is not simply a business decision, it is a response to a calling. For Catholic women in business, this call often comes from prayer, discernment, and a desire to live out the Gospel through service. Whatever your mission looks like – feeding the poor, educating youth, protecting and advocating for life, or supporting the homeless – the journey of launching a nonprofit is both a spiritual and practical one. It also requires lots of hours spent fundraising, which can be extremely daunting for nonprofit founders.
This article will serve as a guide to help you begin your journey as a Catholic woman looking to start a nonprofit. We’ll also explore some helpful fundraising tips to secure the support needed to fulfill your mission, while keeping your eyes fixed on Christ.
Begin with Prayer and Discernment
Before any paperwork is filed or donor meetings are scheduled, bring your vision to God. Even if your mission or organization is not deeply rooted in Catholic teaching (i.e. starting a professional mentoring organization or family foundation), it’s important to ensure that this path is where God is leading you.
Ask yourself: “Is this nonprofit aligned with Church teaching and beliefs?” “Do I have the humility to lead with courage and persevere during hardships?”
Invite trusted individuals – such as spiritual directors, priests, or members of your parish – to discern with you. Consider spending time in Eucharistic Adoration and prayer to ground your mission in Christ.
Starting a Nonprofit: Lay a Strong Foundation
A strong mission requires a strong structure. Once you’ve discerned the call, take these next steps:
Define your Mission and Vision Statements Clearly: Ensure these are practically actionable and easy to articulate. These statements will serve as the ground work for all you do moving forward.
Form a Competent Board: Look for people who are passionate about your mission and vision and bring diverse and useful skills to the organization (think lawyers, finance professionals, nonprofit administrators, and other experts in the particular field of your mission, like educators or health professionals).
Incorporate and File for 501(c)(3) Status: This allows you to operate legally and receive tax-deductible donations.
Develop By-Laws and a Strategic Plan: Using your mission and vision statements, create organized vision for the next six months, one year, and even five years. Include how your mission will shape programming, partnerships, and decision-making.
Fundraising as a Ministry
Many founders shy away from fundraising, or even get anxious at the thought of meeting with donors. I encourage you to think of fundraising as an extension of your ministry within your calling and the mission of your organization. You’re not just asking people for money, you’re inviting them into the mission. Donors become key players and collaborators in your work through their generosity.
Fundraising and donor meetings are amazing opportunities to tell stories, not just share statistics. Donors want to hear and see tangible ways their contributions can impact the lives of others. Allow them to hear real stories of how your nonprofit changes lives and what makes you so passionate about the mission.
Keep in mind that it’s important to create meaningful relationships with donors and not just use them for transactions. Don’t treat donors as ATMs. Send thank you cards, invite them to events, share prayer intentions. Make them feel like they truly are key players in the mission.
Lastly, be accountable and transparent. Donors want to know how their gifts are being used and that they are being used wisely. Share regular updates, reports, and testimonials, especially at the end of each fiscal year. Finding and building great relationships at the beginning will help lay a strong foundation for your organization, allowing you to make a bigger impact in your community.
Starting a nonprofit is a bold act of faith. In a world hungry for goodness and truth, your witness and hard work matters. Let your mission be a light in the darkness.
Marisa McDonald is a wife and mother living in Central Indiana. She has previously worked for various nonprofit spaces in fundraising, development, and strategy and is actively involved on boards within her community. A creative homemaker, Marisa is making the most of each day cherishing loved ones.