are these non-profits that everyone seems to have on their application basically just an upgraded version of volunteering with existing projects like participating in community service and getting people you know to do it then calling it a non-profit?
Also I go to a boarding school and here its a 15 minute walk to town to buy period products whilst very few people buy them from the school shop because they’re self-conscious and also they’re afraid of how people (certain boys…) will react. I had an idea with some friends to create a business essentially selling period products with direct delivery to the boarding dorms/houses to get around all of this and with the money raised we can donate some money to/give period products to a women’s shelter. Feedback on this?
You don’t need to start a non-profit to be competitive for college. IMO, you can make a greater impact by volunteering in an existing program in your community.
And in terms of feminine hygiene products, yes that delivery service already exists so maybe start a campaign at your school to see if the administration will consider stocking the girls bathrooms with free products?
If you are in one of these states, perhaps get involved in the movement to remove the “tampon tax” . Women’s products are being unduly and unnecessarily taxed. It should be eliminated. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna132874
Most states don’t tax certain essential goods, such as grocery store produce, canned food and prescription medicines. But in states with a “tampon tax” — a term that usually applies to tampons plus many other menstrual care products — these products are considered “luxury items.” (Broader still is the so-called pink tax, which isn’t an actual tax and refers to instances in which items marketed toward women, such as razors, deodorants and shampoo, cost more than equivalent products marketed toward men.)
If a student is able to use a parent’s Amazon prime account, there would be no extra delivery fee, correct? And/or several girls could do one big group order.
we raised some money at a school MUN competition with snack shops (snacks no cost as the MUN budget paid for that) as the initial booster. Yes, we would have to sell the product higher than the buying price but tbh no one at my school is exactly struggling with money otherwise it wouldn’t be possible to attend (I don’t mean to say this in a snobby way - but I just want to emphasise that I’m not selling period products at a higher cost leading to ppl not being able to afford). Also not sure about the US but my school is in the UK and the delivery fees for anything on amazon isn’t exactly cheap unless you’re bulk buying
my main college application is to the UK - the main thing here is academics so this probably isn’t even relevant. Regarding my US applications, it might? I’m not sure I’m 15 I’ve got a few good ideas for what to write but I’m not those kids who’ve got everything sussed out. So no idea on that it may or may not feature depending
based on the survey results from girls at our school (we got about 50% of girls in the school replying so I’d say its a decent sample) most girls purchase it in-store but only 15 out of 122 responses said they bought it online so I would not say online services are a major alternative option for students. 73 said they would be willing to buy period products that were directly delivered to their boarding houses and 49 said no so we’ve got a majority at any rate.
It will not be a registered non-profit. It will be more of a service project.
Creating non-profits has become something a lot of students think they should be doing for college applications. It won’t do anything to set you apart from other applicants.
If you want to do this as a service project, fine. But consider how much it’s going to cost you to get this going. I doubt your profit will be significant.
I think it is great that you have identified a problem and are looking for a solution.
BUT: like others have said, online retailers had you beat (almost). And I suspect entities like Uber Eats or Doordash (or similar services ) started because people can’t/won’t get into a car and pick up stuff themselves.
IMO: You can make this into a community service project by petitioning the school to offer dispensers of female hygiene products inside women’s bathrooms. This is already available in many US schools for exactly the same reason you mentioned.
As far as business goes, do start one. There is no shame in establishing a money making operation as a HS kid. I would have loved to have S24 go work fast food or restaurant like I did as a kid and learn to interact with people. However, he figured out he can fix and refurbish computers/phones/tablets and sell them on eBay for profit much faster and cleaner so that’s what he went with. Yes, he did list that on apps as his EC/work experience.