How to start a charity?

How to start a charity with no initial funding? Fundraiser ideas?

• I want to start a charity/non-profit organization but have no initial funding. I know it's going to cost <$1,600, I have already researched the basic price of everything I think I will need (www.legalzoom.com). My question is where can I get money to start this? Can I get/write a grant? Should I contact other similar charities? Should I try for a corporate sponsor? Or can I tell people I am collecting non-tax deductible donations to start a charity? I'm at a bit of a loss of what to do here, I'm not sure charities or companies will just hand out money, especially seeing as I am only 16, however I do have my parents helping me with this idea.

• Answer:

  You cannot obtain any sort of grant until you have an organization which has been approved for 501(c)(3) status by the IRS, and programs in operation. You cannot solicit funds for a "charity" until you have that status approved by IRS. You cannot obtain corporate sponsorship without your approved status. It's not a charity and donations are not tax deductible until IRS-approved and you have your certificate in hand. The money has to come out of the organizer's pocket. A friend's son started a community charitable organization when he was 13. He rounded up school classmates to volunteer their time. He paid the minimal costs out of his earnings (lawnmowing, etc, plus his allowance). No official organization, so no legal bills. No IRS status (at that time). The organization is still going. Now that he is a lawyer, he is doing the legal work to incorporate it & get IRS approval. Meanwhile, his organization has provided much needed and much appreciated services to nearly 1000 home-bound elderly in his community over more than a decade. The best and often the most needed charities need your time, energy, work more than money. Good thing, since money is very scarce these days and even well-known, highly regarded, long-standing charities are having big problems getting any donations these days.