Possible Roles of a Nonprofit Founder | Starting a Nonprofit

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

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[@matthiasphiri1593]

I really appreciate you for sharing this here am learning a lot and I would like you to help me to find donors am from zambia Africa

[@musicmrfixit1]

We started a 501(c)(3) a few years ago, and the founder is my wife and CEO. In our Bylaws we included two specific clauses that keeps her as CEO in perpetuity or until her death or she steps down. We ran it by an attorney who said it is legal because it defaults to the Bylaws, which is the law, but other board members can be voted in or out pursuant to the Bylaws. We've seen so many founders get voted out that we included those clauses to prevent her from being voted out and preserve her mission as long as she lives, even though she doesn't "own" the nonprofit.

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Bylaws can certainly achieve that, true. The downside is that in my experience, I know some funders have concerns about that structure and its implications for community representation, and may choose not to fund nonprofits with that structure.

[@HelloooThere]

Could I as Founder become both an Executive Director and teach a class (paid staff) in my organization? (And still serve on the board in a non voting role?)

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Sure, I don't see why not. As ED, you'd be a paid staff person anyway.

[@HelloooThere]

@@AmberMelanieSmith That is good news. Thank you!

[@successingredientschannel2499]

Am a nonprofit found and everything is new. We are registered and functioning but of course need support. Household actions development organization (HADO) Thanks. Mathias.

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Congrats on getting started!

[@WellerNFriends]

Thank you so much for this video! I just quit my job and going to work towards getting my nonprofit running and this was very helpful 💜

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Glad it was helpful!

[@WellerNFriends]

@@AmberMelanieSmith 🤗

[@jasonmorin2399]

Wishing you the best!

[@WellerNFriends]

Thanks Jason! 🤗 It will be about kindness and the goal will be to make people feel included targeting loneliness and discrimination. Im a naive dreamer i know 🤭

[@paulhosch1584]

Great information. It’s always interesting when explaining to someone “When you start your nonprofit, you won’t own it, the public does.” I often get a look of surprise, disappointment, and then a bunch of questions.” Usually the desire to do good outweighs the desire to control the nonprofit and they proceed. To answer your question, my current role is I lead the fundraising (I have a team of 3) for a relatively small organization (55 employees and 350 clients) within its industry.

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

It's definitely an unusual concept to grasp if you're not used to the nonprofit world for sure! Development team - nice!

[@jasonmorin2399]

Hi Amber! I have two questions: 1) I've seen some EDs also hold the role of the Chairperson. Is this possible? Wouldn't it be a conflict of interest to hold both positions? 2) Can an ED be an unpaid position until it's viable for the non profit to compensate the ED? Your thoughts are appreciated and I hope you see this. Thank you in advance!

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Hey Jason! Technically if your nonprofit's bylaws say it's okay, the ED could be the Board Chair, but they would be required to not vote on any issues that would be a conflict of interest relating to themselves. You can certainly have a volunteer / unpaid ED, though that can be challenging to sustain for a long period of time.

[@jasonmorin2399]

@@AmberMelanieSmith Thank you, Amber!

[@muayadaziz3937]

Thank you very much about those interesting and great information. I am a founder of the nonprofit organization.

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Glad the videos were helpful!

[@c.w.3030]

Awesome, Amber! Great job!!

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@keciarideout1]

Thank you for this video. I am the founder of an organization. We are currently making the journey from a group of citizens who respond and act around an issue into being a 501(c)(3) that does the same.

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Congrats on your journey!

[@rockalaroll]

Co-Founder here! Great insight as we figure out board members and how my cofounder and I navigate Executive Director approaches which we both are interested in pursuing together.

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Thanks for stopping by! Definitely get clear on your mission and vision with your co-founder - super important!

[@milagroscastillo6054]

It's a lot of money that companies donate to them and the barely do sh***t for the people Compare with all the money they get from everyone government and people

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Hey there! Not sure what you mean?

[@chainbreak]

Want to create and be the executive director. Thans

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

That's what I ended up doing! :)

[@DrChrisCopeland]

I have a request, can you do a video on the need for banking for the charity?

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Do you mean types of banking options / vendors? Or the need for banking in general?

[@DrChrisCopeland]

@@AmberMelanieSmith either? Both? Whatever you think you wish you had known before. I’ve got donors now but need a place other than under the mattress to store the funds left over. :)

[@jeanvladimirestriplet9948]

Thank you for those great informations always. I am a founder of an Organization.

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Thanks for watching! :)

[@jeanvladimirestriplet9948]

@@AmberMelanieSmith I have always watched your videos. I learned a lot from them. Thank you so much.

[@danielcitizenman5510]

nice!!

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Thanks as always, Daniel!

[@unitedblackfamilyscholarsh4337]

Very informative. Checked off on all points.

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Glad it was helpful!

[@aronnold14]

in the process and ____ing bricks! lots of work!

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

It can be a lot, true! My best advice is take it one small step at a time - you can go at your own pace.

[@aronnold14]

did you write your bylaws?

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Yes, but not alone. I had help from other founding board members and a lawyer.

[@aronnold14]

starting a 501c3. of course, learning mostly as i go. worked for a few in the past but, unaware of many points you’re brought up in this and other videos. thats it. not going to air out in public. thank you for the food.

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

I hear ya!

[@aronnold14]

@@AmberMelanieSmith the reading ive done at least for California and how I'm understanding it is...the first 1-2 years the founder could act as the only board member while building steam. Then read the irs would be unlikely to award the tax status to those situations.

[@welcjarilla3773]

hoping to meet you someday Amber... 😊

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Thanks for visiting my channel! :)

[@welcjarilla3773]

@@AmberMelanieSmith I've learned a lot from your videos. Thanks for imparting your knowledge to us in starting a nonprofit org.

[@aronnold14]

state assistance is an option yes? reason i ask is medi-cal funding pays for aod recovery.

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Local, state, and federal grants are sometimes available for nonprofits, yes, but they can be very competitive to receive and require a bit of experience and documentation to be eligible.

[@aronnold14]

@@AmberMelanieSmith understood. Keeping it simple...I'm a fan of that. Thank you by the way.

[@rkey8990]

@@aronnold14 be sure to check what qualifications are needed. The jargon makes a difference i.e. treatment usually means state licensed therapist, psycologists required and licensed medical team. RECOVERY means no license required but often does not get covered by private insurance or state medical or medicare

[@aronnold14]

not too sure about the treatment direction. Although, assisting programs who have a need...lots to consider. Thank you for the feedback.

[@tasha1206100]

😨

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Oh no! What's wrong?

[@tasha1206100]

@@AmberMelanieSmith good morning. I was a bit overwhelmed by the information you provided. I appreciate it but I had no idea that there is so much to a nonprofit. I’ve been giving blessing bags to homeless people for the past year. I just officially turned it into a nonprofit (a few days ago) because I have businesses who have been reaching out to me to get involved. I’ve always personally funded everything, so me taking donations is very new to me. I just want to make sure I do this right. I didn’t even know that I could turn this into a real job! I see I have much to learn!

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

@@tasha1206100 I totally get it!

[@aronnold14]

founder. board? board can kiss a ___!

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

A good Board of Directors can be among your nonprofit's best assets, helping bring in funds and support. :)