“One thing is sure. We have to do something. We have to do the best we know how at the moment . . . ; If it doesn't turn out right, we can modify it as we go along.” Franklin Roosevelt

What causes do the most nonprofits address? According to google, there are six areas that are most often addressed by nonprofits: poverty, access to education, healthcare access, environmental protection, social justice, disaster relief. 

Each nonprofit that addresses these particular issues is competing with all the others for the same dollars. It is a challenge to set yourself apart from all the others. How do you do that? 

Research other organizations that address the issues that your organization addressing. Look at what they do and how they do it. Look at their numbers. How many people does it serve each year? How does it meet needs? How does it fund raise? Know everything about the organization. Many nonprofits issue an end-of-year report that will have all of this information. You can find it on their website. Have questions? Without disclosing who you are and why you're calling, ask questions. 

You find a group that does what you want to do? How can you do the same things in a different way? Can you narrow your focus a little? Can you serve a different group? Think creatively. 

Let's say you want to help young women in your community to go to college? There are three other groups doing that in your area. How can you set your organization apart? Concentrate on a specific group. Are there young people in your area who want to go to nursing school? Work with a local nursing school or university. Allow them to help you find people to help. Center your organization around the need to help these people graduate from a nursing program. There is a nursing shortage in this country. That your organization is centered on solving that problem can be helpful when you apply for grant money. 

Want to start a nonprofit? Look at other nonprofits. Find your own niche. You CAN make a difference.