How do you raise money to start a nonprofit?
Do you remember when I promised to keep it real with you in these blogs? I hope so because in keeping it real: I have no idea how to raise money to start a non-profit! I used my savings to start Bear Den Sanctuary. I sold my house. I kept working. I’m a single Mom. I’m a nurse. I don’t come from money nor do I have a trust fund. I didn’t win the lottery. I used what money I had, took out a mortgage and started the Sanctuary.
I read a quote by the CEO of Zappo’s shoes and it describes my thought process in getting started on this journey:
“Jump in fast, make mistakes, it’s all okay.”
I saw the need in my community to help homeless animals, so I went for it without a lot of hemming and hawing. While I would like to be able to suggest a series of spreadsheets and lists in descending order to outline the correct protocols and procedures to drum up funds to get your Sanctuary up and running, that was not my process.
Resources
I have found some resources that have a much tidier and likely helpful series of steps to start an animal sanctuary.
- Brytebridge Noprofit Solutions : Develop Other Ways To Earn Money.
- And at the risk of repeating myself ad nauseum … Bestfriends : Running A Sanctuary.
Money Raising Today!
Once I started the Sanctuary, it has become a little easier raising money.
As a nonprofit in the US, you can buy pet food and supplies tax-free with a form that your CPA can provide you. In Texas the form is called the Texas Sales and Use Tax Resale Certificate.
Additionally, you can reach out to local pet food stores, veterinary offices and big chain stores to inform them of your Rescue/Sanctuary and request pet food and supplies.
Donations in goods, services and funds are tax-deductible to businesses and individuals. The nonprofit (you) provides the donor with a receipt to submit to the IRS for applicable tax deductions.
Social Media & Merch
We started a website and social media. like Facebook. Some nonprofits use Tik-Tok and YouTube for raising money from these platforms you can run fundraisers and food drives. Ideally someone on your Board or a dedicated volunteer who is tech savvy can make posts and videos for your organization.
We sell Bear Den Sanctuary merch that has had moderate success. Some of the merchandise includes Pussy Ranch tees, hats, stickers and bracelets.
Cat lovers buy this merch but truthfully it’s been a bigger hit with college fraternities and good ol’ redneck cowboys! There is a PG version too for Bear Den Sanctuary that says: Saving Homeless Cats in Texas.
We created a 2024 calendar featuring a local Veteran’s Motorcycle group and are considering a different themed calendar each year.
Connecting with other nonprofit Rescues provides some of the best ideas for creating aspects of the Sanctuary and also ideas for raising money.
One local Rescue recently suggested signing up with Cuddly.com. Cuddly is a for-profit business that helps raise supplies and funds for nonprofits. They feature rescue cats in your care and run campaigns for each animal to help acquire food, medications and supplies needed.
A local Rescue suggested I write or email all of the major cat food suppliers. I did and Purina sent vouchers for free bags of cat food.
Grants
Grants are available for non-profits. In keeping it real, I’ve only applied for 2 grants due to time limitations and I didn’t get either one of them.
Ideally a board member or volunteer in your organization will be an excellent writer and will take on the task of grant writing. You can also hire grant writers. I have not used her but I hear Maddie Jennings with MJ Consulting is an excellent grant writer for nonprofits.
A quick google search for animal-focused grants in your region will reveal numerous grants available to which you may apply.
Trap & Release
Sanctuaries come in all shapes and sizes. In Blog #2 I outlined ways that you can turn a room, porch or your own backyard into a Sanctuary.
Saving animals doesn’t have to take a huge space or a large sum of money. You can start TNR’ing in your own community to greatly reduce the number of homeless cats. TNR efforts require only a small, temporary space to recover cats after surgery prior to release.
I’ve been trying to be really practical and logical in this blog.
The goal has been to give some concrete ideas about the financial aspect of starting a Sanctuary.
But here’s the clincher…there is some intangible, illogical woo woo aspect to following your dream or at least there has been for me.
Following my dream to start Bear Den Sanctuary has not been a ‘normal’ process. I could not have gone to a financial advisor, showed him this plan and get a stamp of approval. I’m ready for the kickback and the jabs and poking fun of me but I won’t sway from what has been my experience:
The Universe conspires to work with you when you’re on the path that matches up your passion with what makes the world a better place.
Decades ago, I read a book called Holy Sweat and the key principle is that your greatest calling is where your joy intersects with a great hurt or need in the world. It’s your ‘Holy Sweat.’ That is what the Sanctuary is for me.
The first time I realized the Universe was working with me is when my patient turned friend who DOES NOT LIKE CATS AT ALL became my very first donor. She still has not even come to visit the Sanctuary where we have a plaque in her honor.
Since then, I see regular reminders that I am being supported in this vision by something bigger than myself.
