Last Lessons #55 – NON-PROFITS

Last week was my last blog on the Ten Commandments, but I thought I should leave you with a smile appropriate to this generation.  I received this quotation from one of my former missionary friends:

“Technically Moses was the first man to download files from the cloud using a tablet.”

Now on to the next subject. 

“Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others.  Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”  Matthew 6:2-4

I suppose that because I have been involved with three non-profit organizations (two of which I started), sometimes people ask me how to start a non-profit.  Usually, I am thrilled when a person asks for my advice concerning non-profit (501c3) organizations because it means that they want to help others who are in need.  That’s good!  Of course, it’s easy to tell an inquirer the legal process for starting a non-profit, but I like to help them to think through what they are doing so that their organization will be successful.  For example, I would ask them:

·        What do you want to do?

·        Why do you want to do it?

·        Who will lead it?

·        What are your resources?

·        What would be the non-profit’s distinctives?

One of the non-profits that God has used me to start is the Rafiki Foundation.  My husband, my brother, and a former BSF staff member went through all the above steps and officially registered Rafiki as a 501c3 organization in 1987.  Rafiki was started in an upstairs bedroom in our house – small beginning!  Then we began to write down what would make Rafiki distinct from other non-profits.  It was important to know what we would stand for and why.  We have quite a list now and they are written down for all our board members, staff members, and missionaries to see.  We also publish our Statement of Faith on our website. 

However, if you are interested in starting a non-profit, I would suggest that before you start a new organization that you look to see if someone is already doing what you want to do.  Then consider joining them rather than duplicate what someone is already doing.  Find out all you can about them before you support them whole-heartedly.  There are many scam organizations out there, so be careful!  You should know I am going to suggest the two non-profits that I work with:

1.      The Rafiki Foundation whose goals are to teach the Bible and operate Christian classical schools throughout the world.

2.      The Rosemary Jensen Bible Foundation whose goals are to send Bibles to Africa and Sunday School lessons with Bible commentaries throughout the world.

The Rafiki Foundation has a website that gives you all the information you need.  The Rosemary Jensen Bible Foundation does not have a website because we want all donations to go toward Bibles or Bible commentaries. If you want to know more about the RJBF, let me know and I will send you information.  You can get my email address and phone number from Rafiki.

I trust that God will lead you regarding non-profits.  I have learned that he will guide you if you ask him.