i mean ik non-profits r an overused buzzword atm but honestly there’s definitely (also more legally accurate) ways to describe this project. Not familiar with US terms because in the UK we just group it under ‘volunteering’ but I mean broadly its a business or just a money-making project with a charitable edge to it
I would recommend you continue to work with your school to get period products available in the bathrooms - I wouldn’t stop at 1 no response - research, find out what other schools in your area provide, in the US etc, the organizations working for broader access etc. Make it a mission - you have very valid points about access and embarrassment for many students.
3 Likes
Exactly. If there’s a need you can fill, great, go for it. But why on earth would you create a nonprofit - a bureaucratic entity - in order to do it? Do you even know what’s involved in registering a nonprofit? Do you know what’s involved in creating a sustainable organization? What happens when you graduate? Are others committed enough to keep it going - including doing all the fundraising to maintain it?
This is a HUGE pet peeve of mine, these “nonprofits.” I am a nonprofit professional. This is my full time job. This isn’t a cute hobby, this is hard work. And I answer to a Board of Directors, so there is good deal of accountability as well, and adherence to things like accounting laws and professional ethics. How familiar are you with those things? Who is going to do your accounting to ensure legal compliance? Who is going to file your tax exemptions (or, in the US, your annual 990s)?
Service projects are fantastic for high school students. Creating “nonprofits” is not, at least in 99% of the cases. (Yes, there are very rare cases where a student is able to come up with idea so original and needed that they can engage enough stakeholders and other backers that they can get a viable organization off the ground, but this is unusual. For most students, the “nonprofit organization” is just an admissions gimmick).
That’s just it, though. It’s not a buzzword. It’s a legal entity.
3 Likes
Focus on getting the school to offer products for free in the bathrooms.
You won’t be breaking new ground on this, so find out what has worked in other places, and proceed from there.
1 Like
This topic was automatically closed 180 days after the last reply. If you’d like to reply, please flag the thread for moderator attention.