Get Your Copy Early Before the Rush

Every NonProfit wants to learn how to fundraise well and this new resource from Scott Michael Ringo is just the ticket. Just being released in August is his new book “Simple Fundraising”. This book will teach you how to develop step-by-step fundraising strategies and formulas to create and maintain a stable donor base. Never before has the processes to develop continual and simple funding for a nonprofit been broken down so simple that anyone can do it. Scott brings his 12+ years in the developing successful nonprofits and 26+ years in the business arena to the forefront to present easy to understand, and simple to implement fundraising strategies.

As the founder of Ocean Grand, his hands-on approach to helping nonprofits all over the world raise the funds they need is is written so anyone can understand and implement it.  Instead of wonder where the funding  you need is, a few hours in “Simple Fundraising” will help you instantly discover and begin receiving it.

After reading “Simple Fundraising,” with basic effort any nonprofit can finally tap into the funding they need.  Every nonprofit needs this book in their library.  A simple read and you gain over a decade of experience in nonprofit fundraising.

Act now because the first 500 copies of the book that are ordered in advance as PDF books are discounted to $19.95. Once ordered and paid for you will immediately be emailed a link to download your copy.

Once the book is released to book stores and internet June 1, the price of “Simple Fundraising” will be $29.95. Get your copy now in PDF format by clicking the button below.

NonProfit Set-up

Are you interested in starting your own nonprofit? Ocean Grand can help you get your very own nonprofit set-up in about 3 weeks very affordable. Then help you to find the funding you need and run it successfully. Click this link to get all the information www.oceangrand.org/start-501c3

Corporate Design Solutions

Running and funding a nonprofit can be an easy task but much like building a house without a hammer and nails, attempting to build a successful nonprofit without the proper tools is just as crazy.  Because we are dedicated to helping nonprofits become successful, Ocean Grand gives every nonprofit the ability to obtain these important tools at up to a 60% discount. Email Ocean Grand Design Studios to get more information at www.oceangrand.net

Every NonProfit needs professionally designed and printed marketing materials to make your nonprofit a success.  Why not get those materials designed now at a substantial discount and start your marketing efforts from the beginning looking your best while attracting serious donors.We know from the hundreds of nonprofits we have helped all over the world, there is no better investment or a better price in which to get your nonprofit’s image looking its best.  Ocean Grand Design Studios is a state-of-the-art professional design studio that has designed for top names.  In addition to the 60% savings on the complete design package, Ocean Grand will give you tremendous savings on all your print needs as it is a professional print house as well. Email Ocean Grand Design Studios to get more information at www.oceangrand.net

With professionally designed and printed marketing materials it only takes one (1) serious donor to donate back in one month the investment you made in your marketing materials.

It’s Not Who You Know, It’s Who They Know

It makes a huge difference in the caliber of donors your nonprofit attracts as to how your nonprofit image looks. When you ask CEOs and successful people to pass on the information about your nonprofit, you want them to have great looking material they are proud to pass on. Handing out professionally designed marketing materials can make the difference, and there is no better time or better price to get those created than with this offer. You are going to need everyone you know talking about your nonprofit, and just like any business, being able to equip others to retell your story right is key. Get a complete corporate branding solution including:

• Logo
• Business Card Design
• Letterhead Design
• Envelope Design
• Website
• Tri-fold Brochure
• Glossy Presentation Folder
• Social Media Package (Twitter and FaceBook)

Some of Ocean Grand’s other services:

Some of our products:

• Custom Photo Books (any amount of pages)
• Wedding Albums
• Graduation Announcements
• Baby Announcements
• Wedding Invitations
• Wedding Announcements
• Personalized Stationary
• Photo Enlargements (canvas, print, framed)
• Photo Packages
• Photo reprints
• Personalized Christmas Cards
• Personalized Holiday Cards
• Family Greeting Cards
• Portrait enlargement and framing
  

Other Services:

• Logo
• Business Cards
• Customized Thank You Cards
• Customized Greeting Cards
• Customized Christmas Cards
• Corporate Letterhead
• Corporate Envelopes
• Flyers any size edge to edge printing
• Brochures any fold
• Postcards with customized mailing services
• Magnets
• Banners
• Websites
• Counter cards, Business Cards, Referral Brochures
• Ongoing Flyer Creation
• Double-sided PDF Brochures for emailing
• Interactive Online Brochures
• Corporate Style Sheets
  

Anything graphic design, branding, and print media related!

Email Ocean Grand Design Studios to get more information at www.oceangrand.net

I like to work smart, not hard.  I currently run several nonprofits and have for many years but have never kept any bookkeeping, done any accounting, or ever been to the bank to make a deposit.  I have been able to run these nonprofits from anywhere in the world and not one on my staff does any of these types of activities, but instead devotes 100% of their time to our projects, not office work.  One hundred percent of everyone’s time that is involved in our nonprofits is spent on developing our programs, fundraising, and executing our programs.  In fact, running our nonprofits is so easy that anyone could run a successful nonprofit.  The difference is in how we run our nonprofits, by working smart not hard. Read on and I will explain the easy way to run a nonprofit 501c3 versus the hard ordinary way.  You can then decide for yourself which you prefer.

The New (not so new) Way of Starting a Nonprofit

Many spend weeks, months or even years wading through the process to start, learn to fund and run a successful nonprofit.  Many refer to starting their own nonprofit as a “dream” because it seems like getting a nonprofit formed is such a hard thing to accomplish.  However, starting, learning to fund and running a successful nonprofit is something we help people do every day with just a few easy steps.  Running an independent nonprofit, for many, has become outdated, cumbersome and not very agile to make quick effective changes when needed.  Yet there is a sleek, sexy, and streamlined form of nonprofit coming on the scene.

Let’s explore a process of starting a nonprofit you may not have known even existed.  There is an easy way to start and run a nonprofit and then there is the ordinary way which is a lot more difficult.  After reading this post you may decide that anyone could run a nonprofit, and I believe they can.  Many who I talk with do not know that a nonprofit can be started and  efficiently ran with 501c3 status through an entity called a fiscal sponsorship.  Simply put, a fiscal sponsorship allows a nonprofit project to be created inside of an already existing independent 501c3 nonprofit.  This eliminates the creation hassle and IRS approval that takes many months including the absorbent fees to do so.  By starting a nonprofit through fiscal sponsorship, an organization can have nonprofit status in a few weeks without much in the way of start up fees.  This enables those that want to do nonprofit work an easy and inexpensive way to form and run a nonprofit while having it up and running within weeks, with many added benefits.

Fiscal Sponsorships are becoming a quite popular and a much sought way of starting and running a nonprofit.  In this short post I will introduce you to the Fiscal Sponsorship way of setting up and running a nonprofit to help you explore this option as a viable and less expensive way to have your nonprofit organization up and running with less hassle than you ever thought possible.

What Every NonProfit Needs

The main reason an organization would want to have tax exempt nonprofit status is to appeal to its financial contributors by granting them tax deductions on their gifts.  The second reason tax exempt status is appealing is to gain access to grants (free money that does not have to be repaid) that is available from any number of government and foundation organizations.  Fiscally Sponsored nonprofits as well as independent nonprofits both enjoy these two sought after benefits.  However, there are more things to consider when starting a nonprofit.

The Painful Part of a NonProfit Business

A main consideration in starting either a fiscally sponsored or independent nonprofit is in the amount of administration that can be associated with running either of them.  A real factor in running any business is the time or ongoing expenses you will spend accomplishing the administration.  Many times a fiscally-sponsored nonprofit frees up the majority of the employees’ time to do the actual projects instead of the administration and paperwork.

The administration for a nonprofit is a real consideration, and you are either going to do it yourself, hire staff to do it, or outsource it to professionals (bookkeepers, CPAs, etc.).  Many find that doing the administration for a nonprofit is time consuming, tedious and labor intensive.  Those that decide to hire staff or outsource the administration find that option expensive.  What if there was a way to get all the administration done at a fraction of the cost while not having to do it yourself?

All the Fun, None of the Paperwork

Many find, by setting up a fiscally sponsored nonprofit, they can have all the benefits of a nonprofit they desire and none of office work they don’t. Ocean Grand understands that office work can get in the way, while consuming large amounts of time, and instead has a virtual staff that takes care of all the nonprofit’s administration, accounting, bookkeeping, banking, and even the quarterly and end of the year filings.  Imagine the ease of starting a nonprofit and not needing to worry about any of the office work and instead are free to spend all your time doing fundraising and programs, leaving the office work to a highly trained and efficient staff.

Through a fiscal sponsorship, Ocean Grand sets your fixed costs on administration at 8% which is much lower than outsourcing it would ever be.  In addition, the virtual administration staff that will be working on your nonprofit paperwork is highly experienced in nonprofit administration so you know the work will be done right every time.

Work Smart Not Hard

For many years I have enjoyed the benefits and joys of running several fiscally-sponsored nonprofits and never once had to think about the time or expense of their administration.  Instead, I have been able to concentrate 100% of my time and energy on the continued success of the programs and fundraising and leaving the administration and office work to a highly trained staff that only costs a fraction of what hiring professionals or even my own in house staff would cost.  A fiscally-sponsored nonprofit affords me all of the pleasure and benefits of a nonprofit without all the hassle usually associated with running a business.  Along with me, thousands around the world enjoy this simple and effective way of running a nonprofit.  Through Ocean Grand, in just a couple weeks you could have your own nonprofit operational at just a fraction of the cost of setting up and running an ordinary much more difficult nonprofit.

NonProfits that are fiscally sponsored have been around for over 40 years and the reason you are not familiar with them is that they operate, do the same great nonprofit work, enjoy the same benefits and look just like any other nonprofit.

Click here to learn how you can Start and run a NonProfit the Easy Way

You need to remember that if you have a nonprofit, then you have avenues into funding that are as easy as asking for them. Summer is a time for being outdoors and it does not matter where you are in the world there are summer activities that are just beginning to bloom. With the right strategy you can piggy back on thousands of hours of work that others have done for you getting masses of people together to learn about your nonprofit. Below I will let you in on where to find all these people that are eager to learn about your nonprofit and then help you put together a strategy to capitalize on them.

See below how Ocean Grand can get your image looking its best to grab donors attention with up to 60% off on all of our design and printing.

Festivals, Art Shows, Boat Shows and Concerts
For months all over the country teams of people have been working diligently preparing for festivals and other summer events to bring hundreds of thousands of people to these events. If you grab the opportunity, they have brought all of these people together in one place to learn all about your nonprofit and have the opportunity to support it. If you love to be outdoors, meet people, and share the vision of your nonprofit, then this summer these events are your ticket to doing all three.

You can be raising donations for your non profit by doing just about anything. As a non profit you should take advantage of events that are already planned and organized in your area and make them into fundraisers for your organization as explained below. Just about any activity could raise money for your favorite charity even if the charity is not a charity that is officially recognized for the event. Why not raise money for your favorite charity through events that are already happening all around you.

How to Use Outdoor Festivals, etc for Fund Raising

1. Start by finding all the events around you in a 50 mile radius
2. Contact the organizer and ask if they are giving away or discounting display space to nonprofits
3. Ask the organizer if your nonprofit could be a featured charitable cause for the event
4. Could a portion of the proceeds go to benefit your nonprofit? Ask.
5. Grab tent space or booth space if it is affordable, 1000’s will come by your display during the event.
6. You could simply grab a stack of your professionally design and printed business cards and brochures to hand out as walking through the event.

* See the check list below of the things you need to show up with to be prepared.
** Also see below How to Turn Any Event into One That Sponsors Your Nonprofit

Other Easy Fund Raising Events for the Summer

1. Organize a Car Wash
2. Walk-a-thons, bike-a-thons, running and swimming events
3. Craft Festivals
4. Rummage Sales
5. Golf Tournaments
6. Tennis Events
7. Bingo and Casino Nights
8. Wine Tasting Parties
9. Auctions
10. Summer Concerts
11. Art Shows
12. Boat Shows
13. Vegetable Festivals (strawberry festival, etc)
14. Air Shows
15. Ice Cream Socials
16. Church Summer Events

There is a lot more than this but these will get you started.

List of Things You Will Need for Summer Fund Raising

1. Business Cards and Brochures- At the very least you will need a few thousand professionally designed and printed business cards and tri-fold brochures. Resist the temptation to design them and print them yourself. Everyone knows the when you printed them yourself and nothing says more about your nonprofit than the materials you are willing to hand out. Have some pride and hand out good looking and well designed stuff.
2. Display Booth- If your going to do a booth or tent then you need a well designed banner and trade show display. Again if you are not willing to spend a little money on your nonprofits image then don’t expect others to donate to it. People like to invest and donate to successful programs. It does not have to be elaborate but professionally designed and printed banners and a table top display will make you look like your serious about your program.
3. Web Site or Blog- People that you hand out business cards and brochures to are going to want to visit a web site or blog to see if your legitimate. I suggest a blog (see oceangrand.org/top-10-reasons-nonprofits-should-blog/) and you should have one up even if you are not doing summer fundraising. Now days if an organization does not have at least business cards, a brochure and a web site no one is going to take your nonprofit serious.
4. Spiff- spiff is something to give away that has your organizations name and contact info. For summer fundraising Frisbees, drawstring packs, visors, bottle openers, etc are great inexpensive items that people will want to take home with them and keep. You could even do a drawing or some type of game to get people to sign up for your newsletter and give away more valued items.

Spend some money on your image, a booth if you are going to have one, and great stuff to give away. If you hit several events this summer and talk with thousands of people, you are sure to make back your investment in donations and people involved in your nonprofit.

How to Turn Any Event into One That Sponsors Your Nonprofit

Here in Virginia Beach we have an annual event called the Polar Plunge where everyone raises pledges and then dives in the ocean (some only up to their ankles) to benefit Special Olympics. I have nothing against Special Olympics and really think they are a class act and great cause. Instead, what I am trying to explain here is the only activity you have to be willing to do is get your toes wet and you can raise money to help a great cause.

Now let’s say you want to raise funds and awareness for your own nonprofit. Although there is no special event scheduled (or even if there is) you could create your own very easily. Take a marathon for example. Pick a Saturday, commit to running 10, 15 or more miles and contact everyone you know to pledge money toward the cause you want to support. Use the pledges to benefit your own nonprofit. You can make a great opportunity out of an event of any kind, even the Plunge mentioned above and raise pledges for the Special Olympics and another cause simultaneously.

You can take any event working out, playing softball, snowboarding, bike riding, taking your child for a walk, ironing shirts, or even parachuting, even a walk-a-thon all these and anything else can be turned into even something bigger by having people pledge money toward your nonprofit when you complete them.

Shirt Iron Off

Lets take the example of ironing shirts. Organize a shirt iron-off right at your own house or even better someplace more public. The pledges could be donated per shirt you iron. You could ask all your friends to bring their shirts that need to be ironed or even open it up to anyone that needs their shirts ironed. I believe you get the point, anything, including things you do in your daily routine can be reengineered into an accomplishment you can be proud of because you turned an ordinary event into something extraordinary.

A good article to read more about creative ideas like this is oceangrand.org/what-have-you-done/

How Ocean Grand Can Help You Make This Summer a Success
We at Ocean Grand not only support nonprofits with set up, funding help, and tons of free information to help you be a pro at running a nonprofit. We also give nonprofits up to 60% off professional design and printing of anything your nonprofit might need to look its best. We spend lots of time and energy helping nonprofits look like a million dollars so donors and volunteers have no question that your nonprofit is going someplace.

Nonprofits work¦if you work them.

The First Type
We receive emails and phone calls from nonprofits struggling to find the success they had hoped for. We enjoy working with each of these nonprofits because many times their solution is easy. They just need a good image and need to work the business.  Many times creating a custom story and professional image is all it takes to jump start their nonprofit success.

Nonprofits work if you work them; if you don’t, then they die. Nonprofits rely on others and donors and if you don’t get your message out there, then no one knows about it.

How is your nonprofit coming along? Are you transforming people’s lives and the dreams you had for your nonprofit into reality?
There are two types of groups that we see start nonprofits, and we would like to make sure you are the one that gets results.

Some who start nonprofits through Ocean Grand have great intentions. Once they get their status they tell a few people about the nonprofit, they print out a few sheets about their nonprofit, but no funds come in and they get frustrated. Many try with little success to put it all together themselves.

The Second Type Hit the Road Running
The second type of individuals start their nonprofit and and with the help of professionals get their image polished up and looking like the nonprofit is a success from the beginning. Many allow us to €obrand for them a professional image and story. We provide them with a great looking custom logo, business cards, printed brochures, website, and even letterhead and business cards. They let us help them with some initial fund raising ideas and in a short amount of time they have decent initial funding flowing through their nonprofit. It only takes a little effort along with some great looking materials to make initial your initial fund raising work. They then begin paying themselves a salary and concert more of their time and efforts into their nonprofit.

We at Ocean Grand have a desire that each nonprofit we set up has the success of the second example above. We are even willing to donate up to 50% of our work at creating and printing your image to show you how serious we are about you being a success.

If you are not seeing the success in your nonprofit that you dreamed of, let us help. Get in contact with us and let’s see what we can do to get you on the road to finding the funds and success that you need ,so your nonprofit can help the people you have a passion for.

It does not have to be difficult¦and Ocean Grand is here to make sure it’s not.

Have a great summer and hopefully your pockets will be full at the end of it with a little help from us and some fun in the sun on your part.

Most Popular Posts of February

February has been a big month for great posts that help nonprofits learn to fundraise, brand their image, and use social media to get their messages out. We thought a nice post to round out February would be a link to many of these articles on the same page for easy reference.  Maybe you dream to start a Nonprofit but don’t know how.  There are even links to great articles on how to start a nonprofit.  Whatever your depth of knowledge in the nonprofit arena, there are quick and timely articles for everyone below that are sure to help you increase the success of your nonprofit.  Read on and enjoy the free information, all we ask is that you pass the web site address on to at least one other nonprofit that could benefit from the information also.

Fund Raising

Every Nonprofit wants to know more about how to fund raise successfully.  The 4 articles below will guide you with step-by-step instructions on how to build stable and dependable financial support even in a challenging economic economy.  Great articles for the beginner to the expert.

• Simple and Effective NonProfit Fundraising
• A Simple Fundraising Formula
• Fundraising Ideas
• $2K in 2 Hours

NonProfit Branding and Design

Nothing increases your success in running a successful nonprofit more than its image.  A great looking image and professionally designed marketing materials helps retell a nonprofits story with class.  A professional image is one of the keys to running a successful nonprofit and the articles below can help you step through that process with ease.  Whether you are a church or other type of nonprofit, these articles can help you.

* Is Your Image the Problem?
* The Secret to NonProfit Success

Philanthropy

These are great articles to get to your donors and those interested in your nonprofit, as well as great encouragement to you if you’re involved in a nonprofit. These articles will help your donors and supporters understand the importance and best way to get involved with your nonprofit.  Hopefully we have made your job a little easier just by having your supporters read these articles.  Feel free to direct those involved in your nonprofit back to these articles.

• What Have You Done Lately That You’re Proud Of?
• 6 Steps to Making a Bigger Splash
• The Wonder of a Star
• 401K Alternative

Social Media

Never before has it been so easy to connect with ongoing relationships and build new ones with a couple clicks of the mouse.  The 5 articles below give you step-by-step instructions on how to use the internet and social media to connect better to your supporters and donors while

easily finding 1000’s more who would enjoy being involved in your nonprofit.  Read the 5 articles below and apply them, and you will be on your way to connecting your nonprofit to others in a highly visible way.

• Tweet or Not to Tweet
• Building NonProfit Relationships Equals Success
• Tweet Tweet Nonprofit
• Top 10 Reasons Nonprofits Should Blog
• 14 Advanced Twitter Tips

Start a NonProfit

Have you dreamed of starting a nonprofit but don’t know how to get started?  You might already have a nonprofit but are not seeing the success you had hoped for.  Either way, the articles below will guide you step-by-step through the process of easily starting, funding and running a successful nonprofit. Starting a nonprofit does not have to be expensive, and funding and running it does not have to be hard.  The articles below take the guess work and difficulty out of starting and running a successful nonprofit.

• Rebranding the NonProfit
• The Secret to NonProfit Success
• 3 Most Common NonProfit Hurdles
• 6 Steps to NonProfit Freedom
• NonProfit One Stop Shop
• NonProfit Job Listing
• Start a NonProfit | Medical

Types of NonProfits

There are hundreds of charitable causes that nonprofits address.  In the articles below, we explore 5 charitable causes that you may not have thought of as being a cause to start a nonprofit around.  While reading the articles you may think of friends, family or acquaintances that could enjoy the benefits of having a nonprofit directed toward one of these causes.  We would be glad to help them start, learn to fund and run a successful nonprofit directed toward one of these charitable causes.

• Actors Are People Too!
• Medical Foundation Success
• Start a NonProfit | Medical
• Family Foundations
• NonProfit Adoption
• NonProfit Memorials and Tributes

We Are Committed to NonProfits

As always, Ocean Grand is committed to helping those around the world who dream of starting a nonprofit do so with ease and efficiency.  Likewise, we are committed to those that run nonprofits to better fund and run successful nonprofits. For the last 12 years, we have helped thousands of nonprofits make their dreams a reality and in the next years we will help thousands more.  Join the Ocean Grand Network and let us help your nonprofit connect better, be better funded and see the success you have always hoped for.

If your dream is to start, fund and run a successful nonprofit and want to do it in the least expensive, most efficient and quickest way, while having the most support, get started today by visiting us on the web http://oceangrand.org/start-501c3/

Don’t Forget

Make sure you take a moment and subscribe to our RSS Feed or by email subscription so that you do not miss another article.  Our subscribers get timely articles delivered to them for free plus other information and tips that help them to implement strategies to make their nonprofit as successful as it can be. Subscribe to our blog and get a free bonus copy of my book – “Simple and Easy Fundraising” once it is published.

Half the battle starting a NonProfit is setting up the company, filing all the right forms and then doing all the paperwork. It takes many people months or even years to figure out how to start a nonprofit, then longer saving up to pay to get the nonprofit set up. (cause it is usually expensive). You know what I mean if you have ever ran across one of those lengthy pages explaining all the steps to starting a nonprofit.

Those that come to us have their nonprofit set up and doing business in about 3 weeks. Just a quick two page application, with just 5 quick questions and in 3 weeks you will have a brand new shiny nonprofit.

The Faster and Easier Way to Start a Nonprofit through Fiscal Sponsorship

We set your nonprofit 501c3 up through fiscal sponsorship. Fiscal Sponsorship means your nonprofit is set up under the umbrella of an already existing nonprofit, which is really a great way to learn the ropes of running a nonprofit. The great news is not only is the setup quick even all the accounting and bookeeping is taken care of. All you have to focus on is fund raising, and running a successful programs rather than becoming overwhelmed with paper work, filing reports, and bookkeeping. You still have all the benefit of a nonprofit but with non of the hassle.

Through this route of setting up the nonprofit, the cost to get started is a mere $385 and includes all your ongoing:

• Administration
• Bookkeeping
• Banking
• Staying within the IRS guidelines
• End of the year taxes

Read more about the benefits and ease of a nonprofit with Fiscal Sponsorship here.

Three Quick Steps to Submitting Your Online Application

1. Pay the Application Fee Online*
   

   Name of Your Proposed Nonprofit

   

2. Fill Out the Online Application
   Click Here for the Online Application
3. Sign the Agreement
   Click Here for the Online Agreement
   

If you would rather fill out the 501c3 Application from a PDF and submit it by mail, fax or email print the application from the link below:

Print Out the 501c3 CDP Project Application
Click here to print and fill out, Mail or Fax Application.

Mail us

You can also Mail your application to: Ocean Grand 1340 Great Neck RD STE 1272-212 Virginia Beach, VA 23454

What People Are Saying

My non profit will have great recognition and to know i don’t have to worry about paper works and to have professionals working and mentoring me is a great comfort to me. I would recommend your work to others. Scott, i thank you so much.
Danielle, magnificent butterflies, inc.

Setting up a non-profit project through Ocean Grand is as fast, easy more then one can imagine!
Clinton Ezeigwe, Sign of Hope

I love your way of not forgetting your old friends.
The greatest thing you did for me was to help me set my organization… you also helped me to fundraise online.This was so good too.
Rose Nabisalu, Luteete Women of Uganda (Uganda, Africa)

About the CDP program

The reason we can quickly set up your nonprofit through the CDP program is that CDP is an already existing independent 501c3. CDP empowers others that wish to pursue nonprofit activities to set up their nonprofit activities within their already existing program. In addition, CDP has a permanent staff that provides your organization with all the administration benefits listed above so you can spend your time focused on developing your program. Setting up your nonprofit activities through CDP is the easiest and most cost effective way we know of to get your nonprofit operating in a ways that is easy to maintain. Thousands of nonprofits all over the world agree that setting up a nonprofit project through the CDP program put them on the fast track to living their nonprofit dreams. It is easy if you should decide at anytime you want to move your nonprofit operation to an independent 501c3.

* The application fee is nonrefundable

While I help people set up a lot of new nonprofts, I also get a lot of phone calls, emails, and tweets from nonprofits who have been struggling for years.  The struggles come in all shapes and sizes but the most common struggle is fundraising.  Successful fundraising for many nonprofits is an elusive dream that is overshadowed by many failed attemtps.  Some in the nonprofit arena even believe the nonprofit market is too saturated and leaves no room for new nonprofits because of their lack of success raising funds for their nonprofit.  This can be no farther from the truth and whether you are a new nonprofit start-up or an old one, in just a few simple steps, I can help you get on track to finding the nonprofit funds you need to see successful fundraising.  Read on and I will give you some simple steps that you can follow to regain your faith in the nonprofit model.

Rebranding The NonProfit

Over the years, the nonprofit arena has become complicated and just down right confusing to many who are already involved and even more so to those wishing to embark in it.  I will not spend a lot of time speculating on why the industry has become so hard to understand, but I will give my two cents.  I believe the majority of the confusion has come from an assumption that “it looks difficult, so it is difficult.” Many times new and old nonprofits make it much more difficult than it really is by making it complicated for themselves.  You have heard the phrase that “you cannot see the forest for the trees”.  I like to help nonprofits rebrand their efforts and focus on the individual trees and then they can stand back and enjoy the forest.  Especially when it comes to nonprofit fundraising, simple is the best and once you make it simple it can be down right fun. There are 3 simple steps below.

KISS

(keep it simple, stupid)

When rebranding the nonprofit to make things simple the old adage “Keep it simple, Stupid” reigns supreme for me.  Simple works, and helps those that are volunteers, employees and donors follow along easily.  By keeping it simple your efforts are easily duplicated by others.  When you discover the strategy that works, you simply duplicate it so that others can also do it.  Then repeat, repeat and repeat those efforts.  There is no need to make it any harder than it has to be.  I think that many times those running nonprofits believe they have to keep adding elements to their fundraising efforts until they get so confused they cannot remember what worked in the first place.  Let me give you an example that I will take from my article http://oceangrand.org/simple-and-effective-non-profit-fundraising/.  There is no substitute for a stable donor base.  A stable donor base does not come from grant writing, it comes from having a great story, building relationships with donors and retaining those donors month in and month out.  Grant writing has its place, but not until you have the simplest form of support and that is individual donors and corporations that have a great relationship with you and your nonprofit.  They are the ones that will come through for you time and time again.  You build that loyalty in donors by cultivating real and genuine relationships with them.  Building relationships with people + keeping them involved in your nonprofit work + them giving time and finances to your nonprofit= simple, stable and effective fundraising.  If it sounds too simple it is because you have convinced yourself that funding your nonprofit has to be complicated and difficult.

Forget the Competition

Forget what the competition does to attempt success; instead do the things that you know will work.  By trying to duplicate another nonprofit’s efforts, especially if theirs is complicated, you are setting yourself up for a complex matrix of activities.  Instead stay simple in your efforts and focus on your nonprofit, your donors and your program.

Overrated Activities

Grant writing is overrated for most nonprofits, and instead of spending hours and hours trying to find a grant, capitalize on that time by building relationships with the people the other nonprofits forgot and left in the dust.  Many very capable donors are left in the dust of the flurry the nonprofit makes in trying to find the “big money.”  There is not a ton of competition in building relationships with donors.  With a little effort you may be able to build genuine relationships with individuals, long forgotten by other nonprofits, who would love to donate more than any grant would provide.  All grant funding organizations are run and founded by individuals, most of whom would enjoy finding a nonprofit who valued their relationship as much as their money.  You never know where a solidly build relationship with a donor may lead.  It is possible his best friend runs a successful grant funding foundation.  Relationship building is one of those simple activities that most nonprofits forget.  However, they are the key to great success when it comes to the continual success of a nonprofit.

Does your nonprofit need rebranding?

Whether you are just starting out in the nonprofit world or you have been at it for ages, nonprofit fundraising and work does not have to be complicated.  My advice for anyone in any business would be if you do not have fun at it, find something that you can enjoy.  Nonprofit work can be some of the most satisfying work (or play) you have ever done, but I believe simplicity is the key.  Look at everything surrounding your nonprofit: administration, bookkeeping, fundraising, and programs.  If the processes are too complicated, simplify them or outsource them.  Make your nonprofit activities simple and straightforward and they will be fun.  It’s the reason I switched to a Mac computer- it simplified my life and made sitting at a computer fun again.  Above all, relationships are your most important asset.  When all the “cards are down,” if you have good stable relationships, you will be ok.  Have a blast living your nonprofit dream, and if you need some help getting back to simple, let me know.

I was thinking this morning about all the great people who have big hearts I’ve come across in the last 12 years.  People that only needed a few simple pointers and then were able to launch a nonprofit and run it successfully.  I was thinking about this because I wake up in the mornings with a passion to see everyone that wants to do great nonprofit work do it and do it successfully. I’ve learned throughout those 12 years that I know there are some simple formulas, if followed, enable anyone to start and maintain a great nonprofit.  I also know that from the questions I am asked when people approach me about starting a nonprofit that there are only a few hurdles people need to get over.  I wanted to take a minute and create a quick resource that outlines those hurdles and how to get over them.  Read on and hopefully this will outline the 3 most common hurdles you are facing and how to overcome them.

Many years ago I created the Ocean Grand organization because I continually ran into those that needed a simple resource to take the confusion out of starting and running a successful nonprofit.  There are hundreds of articles on the web that instruct people on the steps, but few that actually take them through the steps.  In addition, it seemed to me that most people wanting to do nonprofit work needed a simple sign-up process and then continued steps to fund and then run their nonprofit.    While it is true that there are several ways to set up, fund, and run a nonprofit, there are simpler ways than others to actually do these steps.  I wanted to give people a resource that helped them get their nonprofit dreams launched in a way that was the simplest and least expensive.  If you want a simple, easy and effective way to start, fund and run a nonprofit, then I want to show you a way to do it in three simple steps.

Rebranding the NonProfit World

Throughout the many years we have been helping nonprofits, we have seen many many nonprofits get so worn out and overwhelmed with funding and running their nonprofit that they give up.  However, we have seen lots of nonprofits follow some simple information and tips and become highly successful.  So several years ago we set out to serve the nonprofit and try to simplify information for nonprofits, steps to get their nonprofit set up, and the ongoing work necessary to run a successful nonprofit.  We are attempting to “rebrand” nonprofits and the nonprofit arena into a simpler environment so that even the “mom and pop” who have a heart to help can do so successfully.We work with thousands and thousands of nonprofits all over the world and we simply want to give away all the information we can about how to successfully run a nonprofit. If that is you, there are three simple steps to make that happen.

3 Hurdles

1. What is the easiest method to create the nonprofit organization?
2. How do we get the nonprofit organization funded?
3. How do we assure the continued success of the nonprofit?

Below I would like to help you get past these 3 hurdles once and for all.

Creating the Non Profit

Creation of a non profit is traditionally done in two ways;  either by forming an independent 501c3 through the IRS or forming a fiscal sponsorship alongside an already existing 501c3.  Both can be highly effective and the difference is mostly in the cost and time to get it set up and the amount of administrative paperwork and “back office” work you want to do.  Many people doing non profit work are mostly interested in the actual non profit work and do not mind leaving the paperwork to trained bookkeepers and CPAs.   Whichever way you decide to set up your non profit, look into the costs of putting the paperwork and accounting into the hands of trained professionals.  If you would like to read more about the differences between setting up a non profit in either of the ways mentioned above see our archived articles http://oceangrand.org/start-a-nonprofit-fiscal-sponsorship and http://oceangrand.org/fiscal-sponsorship .  Either forming an independent 501c3 or a fiscal sponsorship is fine for doing nonprofit work.  If you want the easiest, quickest and least expensive method the fiscal sponsorship is the method to use and will cause you the least headaches.  If at some point after forming a fiscal sponsorship you decide you want an independent 501c3 the transition is easy enough to start with the fiscal sponsorship first.

Funding Your Non Profit

While funding is an important part of making your non profit successful, it is not the most common question or challenge we are asked about.  Funding can be very simple and straight forward.  When many contact me about developing a fundraising plan for their nonprofit the next question they ask is about how they can learn to grant write.  While grant writing can be an important part of funding a nonprofit, it should not be the primary nor is it the most stable way to fund a nonprofit.  Funding a nonprofit is best accomplished by cultivating and establishing a stable donor base of individuals and corporations.  Once the nonprofit is stably funded then grant writing is a great supplement to the funding efforts.  Rather than adding pages to this post I will point you to a couple great articles on simple fundraising below.

6 Steps to Nonprofit Freedom
http://oceangrand.org/6-steps-to-non-profit-freedom/

Simple Fundraising Formula
http://oceangrand.org/a-simple-fundraising-formula/

$2K in 2 Hours
http://oceangrand.org/2k-in-2-hours/

The Most Common Hurdle

With two of the three hurdles down I will quickly address the most common hurdle I am asked about when it comes to running a successful nonprofit.  That hurdle is “How do we assure the continual success of our nonprofit?”  That is not a simple question nor an easy hurdle to get over.  In fact, there is no simple answer but instead one that is many times answered on a day to day basis.  The same steps it takes to get a nonprofit to a successful operating level are the same steps in assuring its continual success.  It is one of the main reasons that the Ocean Grand site continues to pump out great content on a daily basis.  The question about the ongoing success of the nonprofit was so prominent that we created Ocean Grand to continually address the solution.

Many of our followers simply sign up for the RSS or email feeds, then implement the ideas and tips we give them and begin seeing success simultaneously.  Likewise, others who have taken a more difficult route in running their nonprofit simplify their path and begin having fun again while seeing great success.  We believe that nonprofit work should be fun, highly contagious, and not at all hard.  As you read through the articles above you will see that the steps for funding and running a successful nonprofit are not difficult but must simply be duplicated again and again.

Above all get your nonprofit successful by simplifying the way it is funded.  Make sure your donor base is stable and can support the operating and program budget and that the grant writing your organization does is strictly supplemental and for ongoing development.

NonProfits Can Be Fun

Unknown by many in the nonprofit world, nonprofit work can be fun, stress free and well-funded.  The nonprofit simply has to remember that just because they are a charity, they must operate as a business.  Establish the nonprofit with simple, effective and stable fundraising methods; duplicate those again and again.   Worn-out nonprofits are the norm and I established Ocean Grand to address those concerns and began to rebrand the nonprofit arena to be once again fun and exciting.  By becoming part of the Ocean Grand Nonprofit Network by subscribing to the ongoing information we produce and implementing some simple strategies, you can begin to rebrand or brand your nonprofit into a fun, exciting and challenging endeavor.

Ocean Grand has made a commitment and pledge to help 400 new nonprofits get started and support them to being a success in 2009.

Are you tired of reading about nonprofits who do great things when really you would like to start a nonprofit yourself and develop your own program?

The nonprofit rally at Ocean Grand www.oceangrand.org is exactly that, we want to help 400 new nonprofits get started in 2009. Regardless of whatever circumstances has kept you from making your nonprofit dream into a reality, Ocean Grand wants to help. Let us help you once and for all to get your dreams off the shelf and start living them.

Ocean Grand has pulled out the stops and we are committed to you to help you make your nonprofit a success in 2009. We will help you with everything you need and set up your nonprofit organization in about 3 weeks.

We will then give you all the education to run your nonprofit, grant write, develop donors, including nonprofit training videos. We want you to look back at the year 2009 as one that you decided to start a nonproft and it was one of the best decisions you made.

Here is how we can help:
* Quick and simple program to start a nonprofit
* Administration help running your nonprofit
* Fund raising How-to
* Grant writing help
* Ongoing support to help you be successful

Come and join the Ocean Grand Rally to start a nonprofit in your city and be one of the next 400 nonprofits to make a difference in the world.

We are committed to seeing you get a nonprofit set up and see success and will walk you through the process step by step.  At the end of this year you will be able to look back and be glad you know run your own successful nonprofit.

Visit the rally at www.oceangrand.org

If you are an actor, actress or know an actor or actress, you need to read this article on how you can better launch your career by focusing on what many actors do once they are successful.  Read on and I will show you how you can begin to network like crazy in circles of successful actors like you never thought possible.

We have all seen the commercials and ads when a famous actor or celebrity jumps onboard with a charity or “save the world” cause.  Suddenly that actor seems more “touchable” and real.  It helps us consider what we could do to make a difference in the world and focus our attention on those that need our help.  The fact is, lots of well known actors do all types of non profit charity work and not only does it bring awareness to the cause, but helps them network with others in their field.  Many successful actors actually own non profits which promote their cause and accept donations.  Why then, if successful celebrities and actors can own their own non profit, promote great causes, take advantage of the high-end networking, and accept loads of donations, don’t up-and-coming actors take advantage of these same opportunities?  Most simply do not know how easily it is to jump-start their career and influence by doing so.  In this short post I will explain the benefits that every actor or person in the entertainment industry can leverage by owning their own non profit and shift their entertainment career into high gear.

The Power of Networking

Everyone knows that networking is powerful in any career or endeavor.  Sometimes the toughest decision is where and how to network the most effectively.  In the world of entertainment, competition is fierce and “who you know” is many times critical to getting the gig, the audition, or being cast.  Sure, once you get the part or gig then you must turn on your best social skills and network like crazy with those for the short time you are working with them.  However, what if there was an easier and more effective way to network 24 hours a day with actors, directors, producers, and support staff even when you are not on the set or even employed?  What if that networking tool could even financially support you while you were between gigs?  How exciting would it be if you also learned that the same avenue of networking could be highly satisfying in itself, and help make the world a better place?  The type of networking I am talking about can do all that plus include you in circles of influence and contacts that you never thought was possible until you were walking the red carpet.  What is this amazing tool?  Read on.

When the Director says “Cut”

Even if you were on a set or playing a gig there is work to be done and little time to network and when the director says “cut” everyone is in a hurry to get to their family, gala, fundraising dinner, etc.  Wait, what if you could be involved in those people’s lives and interests after the final scene of the day?  You can and its not hard.  What if you were off to the same galas, fundraising dinners, and nonprofit volunteering that the other stars were off to?  That is where the “real” mingling takes place.  Even if you were between acting or music gigs you could still be off to the same events.  There are two easy ways to do that and one that assures you more success than the other.  Follow along.

Scenario One

Say there was a particular actor, director, producer or casting director you knew being associated with would give you much better exposure?  With very little research you could find with which non profit causes and charities they were involved.  If they are involved with a cause then most likely others are also involved that are in your industry.  If those charities and causes are something that you are interested in then simply get involved with the cause.  Here is where you need to check your heart and integrity because if you are not sincerely interested in those same causes there is no integrity in you being involved.  Once involved, focus on helping and being involved with that non profit, they will appreciate your help.  Stay involved to help the nonprofit and you never know, you might find yourself networking with those in your industry that will give you a leg up.  See http://oceangrand.org/6-steps-to-making-a-bigger-splash/ on how to get seriously involved in helping a non profit in the right ways.

Scenario Two

Most people in non profit work associate with others in the non profit arena.  Instead of waiting until you are famous to find a cause you could help to make the world a better place, start now.  You could easily start, build stable funding, and run your own successful non profit.  I am sure you are saying “Yeah, if I had that kind of time.”  You eat breakfast, lunch and dinner, right?  Then you have time to create and manage a well funded and world-changing non profit.  Really.  Once you are finished reading this article jump over to http://oceangrand.org/6-steps-to-non-profit-freedom/ for all the information you need to, step-by-step, get a non profit successful over breakfast, lunches and dinners.

By starting your own non profit or charity you get to decide what world-changing task you are going to focus on.  You create the non profit around your passions and interests.  Then you start networking with all the other non profits in your city attending their fundraisers, benefits, and likewise them attending yours.  If you have a world-changing non profit cause and you begin to network, it does not have to be long before you are in the same room and at the same events that those you would like to network with about your career.  However, this time you are the one with whom they are wanting to be involved.  Now you have two levels in which to network with them.  You would be amazed at who you might have involved in your non profit.

No More “Starving Artist”

One of the great advantages of the second scenario is that your non profit can employ you.  Yes, say goodbye to the days of the starving artist.  Once your non profit has steady donations coming in it can employ you with a salary for the work you do on its behalf.  Not only are you building a successful non profit that can change the world, but it can provide you an income while you are between or in addition to gigs.  Now you get paid on and off the “clock.”  Meanwhile your non profit cause is networking for you 24 hours a day as those involved are telling others about the great charitable cause of yours that they are involved in.

Why Not “Arrive” Through the Back Door?

While many are trying to network, get auditions and gigs through the front door, by starting a non profit you may just find that you “arrived” through the back door.  You can change the world even before you become famous, supplement your income, and be working on your career all at the same time.  If nothing else, you can leave a legacy for your family and friends to carry on when you depart.  You may have noticed that a lot of charities are focused around the arts and could be an easy passion for you to discover.  We at Ocean Grand would enjoy helping you start, learn to fund, and run a successful nonprofit.  You never know, you might be starring in your own movie one day that documents the success of the non profit you started.

6 Steps to Non Profit Freedom

Have you ever wondered how it seems some people so easily get involved and start their nonprofit, yet others seem to struggle at making it all work?

Granted, to dream about changing the world is not for the faint at heart, yet it is not exclusive to those that seem to put organizations together easily.  Some of the most world changing organizations have been put together by people who knew nothing about starting a nonprofit or building a dream.  For many the lack of funding and expertise in setting up the organizational part is prohibitive to them making the difference they dream about.  The key is to find those that can help you accomplish some of the organizational and fund raising hurdles.  This is one of the passions we have at Ocean Grand http://www.oceangrand.org; but more on that later.  Sometimes the task of starting a nonprofit and finding a simple way to get supporters and donors is daunting and seeing a graphical chart of how easy this can be can help one get their “head around” the solution.  The three most common challenges for most starting a nonprofit is setting up the organization, finding and building fund raising support, and handling the ongoing administration of their organization. Those three hurdles are the easy part and if you need help in those areas simply contact us and we can get you on the fast track.

Many know within themselves that they were made to make a bigger difference in the world than they are currently making.  So how does one find the answer to what their “world changing” purpose is?  Read on and I will help you break it down into easy steps and a chart that, in no time,  will have you focused on discovering your “life passion.”

Step 1- Discover Your Passion

If you are thinking about starting a nonprofit, then this step might be very easy as you know what you want to do to make the world a better place.  However, if you simply know you are supposed to do more with your life, then this step will help you discover what it is you may want to do.  To help you discover what your nonprofit dream might be you can ask yourself these questions.

1. If unrestricted by time, money, resources, or skills and you could do anything, help anyone, and make the world a better place, what would you do and how would you do it?
2. What are the 50 things in life you most enjoy doing?
3. What are the things that come naturally that you do to help people?
4. What do you love doing for hours at a time that the time flies when your doing it?

Step 2- Discover The Need

Now that you have an idea of what passions and causes drive you, you need to figure out how you would like to help those causes.  Begin by thinking about what would completely irradicate the need, hurt, or situation that you want to help cure.  Come up with a solution that, if it was put into place, in time there would be no need for your nonprofit to exist anymore.  Now you have a mission.  Write it down and let’s get you started changing the world.

Step 3- Start A NonProfit

It is entirely possible to do the charitable work you want to do with no nonprofit organization in place.  However, it will be difficult to get ongoing donors and supporters without being able to give them a tax deduction for their donations.  As well, other nonprofits and grantmaking organizations will not be able to give you funds if you’re not a nonprofit.  There are a couple ways that you can start a nonprofit; you can either start a nonprofit that has fiscal sponsorship or start an independent 501c3.  See the article http://oceangrand.org/start-a-nonprofit-fiscal-sponsorship/ for more information on the two types.

Step 4- Develop Your Funding

Now that you have your shiny new nonprofit you need to find some funding so that you can do the work you’re devoted to doing.  There is a multitude of different ways to find funding through donors and grant writing.  It does not have to be hard but there are some simple ways to go about doing it and some difficult ones.  If you check out the article http://oceangrand.org/a-simple-fundraising-formula/ and follow that step by step you will be on your way to getting the funds you need to do the nonprofit work you love.

Step 5- Develop 2nd Tier Funding

If you follow the simple steps in http://oceangrand.org/a-simple-fundraising-formula/ you will now have a great operating base of funding in which to pay salaries, buy supplies and start doing the nonprofit programs.  Now you will want to split your time doing fund raising between continuing to develop stable funding and looking for grants and much larger portions of funding.  I suggest 80% on stable fund raising and 20% on grant writing.  We can direct you to resources that will help you learn to grant write and develop larger donors when that time comes.

Step 6- Start Your Non Profit Projects

Now that you have methodically walked through the step above your nonprofit should have good and ongoing funding, volunteers and organizational structure in place.  Now it is time to get busy helping those that you have a passion to help.  You’re starting to live your nonprofit dreams!  It may take you 6 months or even a year to get to this point but you never get here unless you start walking through the steps.  This web site http://www.oceangrand.org is an excellent resource that will keep giving you ideas and motivation to make your nonprofit a success.  There are a ton more and we will help you tap into those.  However, by this point you’re doing it!

You Will Be Living Your Non Profit Dreams

Don’t forget your humble beginnings and the simple elementary steps that got you to this point.  You will never want to stop developing funding and donors, as they are the lifeblood that makes it possible for your nonprofit to function.  It’s not hard to start and live the nonprofit dream. It is work, and there are elementary things that you need to do to bring it to reality.  Just keep doing the steps and your nonprofit will thrive.

Let us know how we can best help and support you in making your dream a reality.  Welcome aboard and live with passion!