Non-profit business?

[Jay H]

I have a fresh idea that I have no idea how or if it will ever turn into reality. I don’t even know where to start and was wondering if anybody has ever materialized anything like this.

Almost a year ago my next door neighbor was called out of the reserves to serve in the military. He stayed stateside but had to move to N.C. He is on base and was able to move his family with him. I have volunteered to mow his lawn and of coarse we read his electrical meter for him.

This week I found out from a really good friend that he was being called up too. He will not be stateside but is going to Iraq to fly helicopters. I k now from when I was on the road in construction that one thing really difficult for a mother to do is add on the chores of yard work.

My new thoughts are that I’m thinking about volunteering to care for their yard too. Here’s the thing. I HATE MOWING. No I mean I loathe mowing.

So I have thought that if I had a small riding mower, trailer, and a cordless blower I could mow more yards and not hate it so much. Now the catch. I can’t afford all that. So I wonder if I could start a charity or nonproffit business or something to collect money, buy the right equipment and take on a few families yards. I have thought of calling it something like “Mowing for the Military” or something corny like that.

I don’t want to start something the size of Habitat for Humanity or anything, but I wouldn’t mine helping out a half dozen or so families around town.

Has anybody ever pulled off something like this? I’m just thinking out loud but where do I even start? I just have an idea and no idea how to pull it off.

It may seem silly and not a big commitment for somebody who is giving up so much but I know from experiance what a relief it would be for her knowing that she doesn't have worry about it or hire somebody.

Thoughts?

[Marzipan1]

Good idea! You might approach some of the churches in your area. Also-some of the service clubs like Rotary might be interested in helping you get started. We have several business networking groups that adopt and support projects like this

If you have a college in your vicinity, check with them. Many students give hours toward community service. In our town, the local 2-year college is actually combining community service projects with a writing/communications course. The students select a project, then must write about their experiences.

Good luck! My brother was one of those called up from the National Guard to serve in Iraq--he's about to hit 42--said it was a lot easier when he was 20 years younger! I know his family greatly appreciated all the help they received from their friends and neighbors.

[wpfay]

Jay, I've assumed yard duties for a couple of neighbors in the past for temporary needs, once for about 9 months.
I would think that a church or service organization would be more accepting of shouldering the financial burden if you were to have a group of like minded folks doing the asking. Getting some other people involved would help to spread out the lawn duties, and the equipment purchase would go towards helping more folks in need.
If memory serves me, you are active in your church. Perhaps this would be a good project to take to the teens in your church as a community outreach project. Then all you would have to do is manage a bunch of teens...much easier than mowing lawns.

Good luck, it soulds like a great idea.

[Jack Flynn]

Great idea, Jay. My nephew is preparing for his second tour with the Marines in Iraq. Based on his first tour I would say folks will come out of the woodwork to help in many ways given the chance. Make public your idea to a small group of folks and stand back. You will have pleny of financial and sweat assistance. Could even be done without setting up a non-profit...just folks helping folks.

[Jay H]

I am active and the latest departure is a member of our church. It’s a fairly large church and I will inquire there.

But if they give me money, or a business does, they will want a receipt. Do I need to form some type of "formal" business? If so will that not just unload a ton of #### I might not want to deal with?

[Patrick Leeland]

I got to sa Jay, that is pretty nice of you. It is a hard thing and we all want to do something, but...well you know how that goes. I think it is even neater that you are going to do something you are not too keen on. That makes it a little bit more, we all like doing things in our comfort zone, but beyonnd that it is hard to get me committed.

Good luck with this and keep us informed. Maybe you could do it trhu the church and be a ring leader. Have them get donations and buy the stuff, store it in between jobs. Then it is there and people can come get it and do the yard closest to them. You could do it as well as organize it. Just thinking out loud?

PL

[Cliff Wilson]

Jay, you should be able to do it under the church or local vets organization. YOU don't buy the equipment -- they do. That's where they get the receipt.

You volunteer to start a group under their auspices. Simple.

opps, Patrick said that.

[Tim Hayes.]

Jay what a generous and giving idea. I applaud your efforts. Cliff is correct otherwise you would have to set up a 501(c) (3) in order to comply with IRS tax exempt/non-profit requirements.
Best,
Tim

[Bob Carter]

I'm with Tim and Cliff-Great idea

Two things

Figue a way to get your name (and the shop) mentioned in every press offering

And, where do I send a check?

How about every other Grumbler, too?

We'll get you that riding John Deere in no time

[duncan]

I'm in! As a vet, I think it's a terrific idea!

[Jay H]

Maybe it is like Jack said "Make public your idea to a small group of folks and stand back." That scares me a little but nothing worth doing is easy.

I'm going to contact the church today and discuss how best to handle this. I'm sure they will be on board especially considering I don't think I'll need much from them (money or help) and I really don't plan on it turning into some huge operation. If so I'll have to step aside and let somebody else run it.

I'll let you know what I learn. It will probably be next week because most of the church is of on Fri and Sat.

[RozR]

Jay,

That is a wonderful and giving idea - I truly hope you get the support of many far and near!! This could be a national thing... as you say: "Maybe it is like Jack said "Make public your idea to a small group of folks and stand back." That scares me a little but nothing worth doing is easy"

I'm going to mention it in my circles!!

God Bless America

Roz

[Terry Scidmore CPF]

Jay, great idea!

I have had a little experience in starting a community organization 501-C-3 in the 1990's, through which we have written small grant proposals and served as the umbrella organization for larger grants awarded to other non-compliant organizations.

Do consider getting started under someone elses non profit banner, as the others have suggested. Lots less paperwork!

Before approaching the groups, do your research - what would it cost for the equipment, gas, repairs, etc. and how much time would it take. How many potential "clients" would need this? Over how widespread an area?

Consider ways to initially fund the project, and keep funding it as time goes on. The initial funding could be in the form of grants, charity auctions, donations - and donations can be money/equipment/time/labor for many grants.

Let the non-profit or sponsoring organization handle the money.

For ways to help tie your business in, here are some ideas from my neighborhood group when we utilize business good will:

When we do any "public" anything, we always take a picture of the "action", write a short article, and send it to the newspapers. The article mentions any business who helps out. When we first got the group going, a newspaper article blossomed into TV and radio spots.

That published newspaper photo and article get sent with a thank you note to the sponsoring businesses -we want to be sure that they see their names got mentioned to keep those donations rolling in.

When we do "community cleanups", businesses donating food/drinks/bark/plants, etc. get their names in the article, and on signs and banners we put up where we are doing the work. We wear t-shirts with the community name on it for these outings. The signs and banners go up a week before the clean up day, and stay up for a week after.

Perhaps "Mowing for the Military" t-shirts could be sponsored by your shop, or several shops?

We have a website, linked through the city neighborhood website, that lists when our meetings are, things we have done, contacts, etc. Participating businesses are listed there along with the event.

Our local framing guild also has a website - hosted by one of our sponsors. When you visit it you see the company name. When you visit the company website, you find the link to our local framing guild.

Maybe your business could host the "Mowing for the Military" information site?

Don't forget to put up a photo of you "Mowing for the Military" in your store, with that same photo of you on the donation/information card that interested people can pick up!

Best wishes on your project!

[jframe]

if you put this before a large congregation you'll probably get all the help you need plus equipment. It's hard enough for those women to keep the house, the children and probably a job. What a great idea! i think it would help them know that somebody cares.

[BrianInOmaha]

Jay, great effort! Here's what I would do....Make a call to a local news agency, tell them your idea and you will almost be guaranteed some type of coverage. Whether it be television or newspaper, I believe you will be amazed at the response you will get. If there are smart folks on the equipment side watching or reading, you will have those lawnmowers donated to you quicker than you can cut a yard! Good Luck!

[Janet L]

Kudos to you Jay for your giving and helpful spirit. As Brian said above, with the right news coverage, I believe you can get everything you'll need.

[Baer Charlton]

I think that you find that 'things' will flow to you like a magnate.

A retired military type who understands books and such is just waiting for such an opertunity to help "one of their own".

A local lawnmower company would jump to provide the equipment for their name on the t-shirt.

And don't forget the high-school kids who are just waiting for a little direction to "do something meaningful in their lives".

And may I also remind you that there are many widows of former vets that could also use a little hand up. There is also a lot to "spring cleaning" flower beds, as well as fall prep to put beds to rest for the winter. Most of this is great experience for young backs and minds that never thought in the slower time increaments of seasons.

You could end up just being the titular head and spokesperson instead of the lawnboy, of a great concept. Opra just might need to hear about it. And I'm not being funny. I think you have hit on a powerful idea and something that America is in great need of at this time. People being in service to people being in service.