Starting up a non-profit organization is the same as starting up a new business. The key to success is a solid original idea and a well thought out long-term plan; this is also the key to getting grants.

It is important for non-profit organizations to write up a non-profit business plan that answers the following questions:

1. How will you serve the community?
2. Who will support your program?
3. How can you develop a working board of directors?
4. Where will you get the funding necessary to operate your non-profit?
5. How can you diversify your fundraising plan?

These are only a few questions that go into the design of a non-profit plan!

GETTING GRANTS
Most start-up non-profits spend 80% of their time writing for grants only to be disappointed that their proposal did not receive any monies. Grants can be a big help in starting, and continuing, a non-profit organization, but you can't rely on them as a major means of support.

There are two important things to achieve if you want to get a grant to start up a new organization. You must be filling a vital role by meeting a real need in the community targeted. Also, it's a prerequisite to have the background and experience necessary to do the job. People must believe that you'll be successful before they'll grant you any money.

It's not enough to come up with an excellent business plan, get the grant money you need to start the organization and then sit back and relax. It's imperative that you put together a new budget at least once a year. If you're applying for continuing grants, organizational budgets are a necessity. The people giving you the grants need to see that you're using the money to achieve what you set out to do.