One of the biggest tragedies in the non-profit world is the far too familiar misconception that if you're out to do good, you're not a real business. A lot of entrepreneurs running for-profit companies fall into this trap, too. I certainly did. Back in '93, when a couple of friends and I created a company to support emerging entrepreneurs, making millions for myself wasn't my first thought. Or my second or third, for that matter. Of course I always thought the business could make millions, but I never focused on it. Rather, I centered my attention on helping people in anyway that we could really make an impact. After a while, though, the overhead caught up with us and I started to realize, during a very sobering and painful period, that we had to make money if we were to stay alive.

It's not rocket science, I know. Businesses, both for-profit and non, need to generate money. They also have several other similar challenges and responsibilities that a lot of people don't consider when starting out. Both have to register their company, file with the IRS, support payrolls, and many more fun things that entrepreneurs everywhere are challenged with every day. If you want a non-profit to succeed, it's important to start looking at them as the businesses they are, which is why we're dedicating an entire issue of Y&S Weekly to sharing some insight into the world of non-profits.

Even if your title at work doesn't read "Executive Director", give us a chance to show you that this is one subject that has relevance to most of us Y&S. Why? Because if you're not looking to start a non-profit yourself, you probably know someone who is and could use some help. You might also be involved with a non-profit in someway (as an employee, volunteer, donor or board member). If any of the above apply to you, or you fall into the equally admirable category of being involved with a business that's also trying to do some good for the world, we hope this issue will give you some food for thought, not to mention action.

In this issue, we're bringing you tips on how to staff up a non-profit without depleting the payroll, dig up the technical equipment and supplies you need to operate (for free!), and get in touch with some of the best mentors in the business though the Social Venture Network. If you're looking to start something new in your community, we'll also hook you up with one of our favorite non-profits to win up to $10,000 to get your big idea started. And if getting down to the nitty gritty nuts and bolts of non-profit management is what you're after, we've found an intriguing e-learning program that can get you the (unofficial) MBA you've been looking for minus the 2-4 year commitment or $100k tuition. In fact, it's free, so if you're serious about your non-profit goals, this is one resource you don't want to miss. Also, don't forget to check out the books we recommend each week -- they are my personal recommendations and each one has either helped us in our business or is prominently placed in the "to read asap" pile of our own library. Finally, make sure to catch our Y&S of the Week to learn about how an amazing young woman is helping hundreds of underprivileged, yet brilliant young kids, get into the top academic institutions out there. Justine's story is certain to inspire and give you another little nudge to take action on whatever cause may be tugging at you.

So, if you're considering embarking on or getting involved with a non-profit venture or business that focuses on doing more than amassing enough riches to build your dream house, remember this: A business is a business, and that includes non-profits, too. Regardless of the kind of business, we all (well, most of us) do need to generate enough money to do what we love, even if that means helping others.

Have a great week!

Jen
Read Jen Kushell's Blog

If you've ever run a business (non-profits included), or led an important project, you can surely appreciate the need for good help -- especially when you can't quite afford it. This week's Tip of the Week may ensure that you get the help you need, without breaking the bank.

Hiring interns is really a lot easier than you might think. We recommend this tip for anyone who has compelling work for students who are eager to gain real world experience. The first step in hiring an intern is to figure out, just like a job, what roles you'd like them to play and what their responsibilities would be. Then establish a formal job description, like you would any other position you'd be hiring for, and be sure to include the time commitment you're seeking, the money or perks you'd be offering, what the interns have to gain in experience, a little about what you do, and how to contact you for an interview. If you can't afford to pay your interns, make sure you include some meaningful benefits that carry weight in their career development and enjoyment of the position, such as mentoring, job experience, travel, responsibility, meals, free stuff, etc.

Next, you're probably wondering how to find the best candidates. You can always go online to student internship websites, but there's an even better, more targeted way to do it. (Trust us on this one -- we had over 70 interns work for Young Entrepreneurs Network alone!) The trick is to determine which local high schools and colleges have students that might be of interest to you. For example, if a university in your area has a great business or entrepreneurship program, you're certain to find students looking to dig their hands into a juicy startup situation. Or if you're desperate for bookkeeping help, find a local accounting class. You can do this by getting your hands on course catalogs and identifying the professors or teachers who teach the classes where your best candidates are likely to be learning. Contact the teachers; tell them that you're looking to potentially hire some interns from their class; give them a brief description; and ask if they'd be willing to pass out some fliers, make an announcement, or better yet, allow you to take five minutes to pitch the opportunity, live in class. Do this in just a few classes, and if your pitch is a good one, you're likely to be interviewing far more prospects over the next few weeks than you can even find work for.

One final tip, though. If you do find yourself in the fortunate circumstance of having more free help at your disposal than you'd anticipated, pace yourself in your hiring. Managing interns can be a lot of work, so make sure you don't get in over your head too soon. Give your interns the mentoring, support and experience they need and they're sure to build their loyalty to you and your cause quickly.

Just because you're a non-profit (or work or volunteer for one) doesn't mean you have to give up hope of working in a high tech, media rich environment. Getting your hands on the latest technology, everything from computers and phones to specialized equipment, can cost a pretty penny. However, there are still ways for your non-profit to shine as brightly as that snazzy dotcom startup on the penthouse floor.

TechSoup.org is a great resource that offers technologically challenged non-profits a one-stop destination for free information, resources and support. You can ask tech questions online, read how-to articles and product reviews, and gain access to discounted or even donated tech products that have been generously provided by corporate and non-profit tech partners of the web site.

Don't work for a non-profit but want to help anyway? (Of course you do! You're Y&S, after all!) TechSoup makes it easy for anyone to do their part in helping those non-profits who work hard to make a difference in our world. Anyone can make a difference by donating extra, unused or outdated hardware or volunteering time to help others with their tech questions at techsoup.org.

http://www.techsoup.org

Any organization that focuses its energy on "Young People Changing Their World" is an organization who's mission is near and dear to our hearts. That's why we're really excited to introduce you to one of our favorite non-profits out there called Do Something.

As you may have guessed by their name, this organization does something. And right now, that "something" is rewarding others who do something, too. The Do Something BRICK Awards honor and fund change-makers age 25 and under who identify problems in their communities, and then get up off the sofa and do something to make a change. (Yeah baby!) There are two categories within the contest, with multiple winners in each. Each winner in the "18 and under" category receives a $5,000 scholarship and a $5,000 grant. Winners in the "19-25" category each receive a $10,000 grant. All winners receive pro bono services, media recognition, and the chance to shmooze with celebs at the annual star-studded BRICK Awards Gala.

The deadline for grant applications is September 15, so even if you're a do-gooder above the age of 25, be sure to let your friends who qualify know to apply now!

http://www.dosomething.org/awards/brick/application-2006.php

So you're starting a non-profit and are coming face to face with the reality of how much work it takes. You're dealing with setting up your operations, identifying the best technology solutions, hiring staff and volunteers, creating marketing plans, building your brand, soliciting media attention, managing your financial books and...oh, about a million other things! Don't let the cold, hard facts of life in this biz get you down. Even if you don't have a solid background in business, there are many resources out there that can get you on your feet in no time. We don't have enough room in this newsletter to tell you about them all, but we picked one we think you'll like -- because it's FREE!

The free online Non-profit Micro-eMBA program, while it doesn't really get you a "degree" per se, is a fantastic way to learn the ins-and-outs of running a non-profit. And did we mention it's free? This self-paced e-learning program will guide you through starting your new non-profit, building your board, brushing up on the basics of management and leadership, strategic planning, developing a program and marketing plan, developing a fundraising plan, understanding basic financial and tax management practices, staffing and supervising, and more. The program includes 12 online, self-directed learning modules that you can complete at your own pace -- whether that means cramming through it all next weekend or stealing an hour or two at 3 a.m. over the next few weeks.

And since you probably don't have all the time in the world, don't worry -- this program won't require you to read heavy books. However, to get the most out of the program, you should be highly motivated, self-directed and have a sense of adventure. (If you're reading this newsletter, chances are we just described you better than your mother could!)

http://www.managementhelp.org/np_progs/org_dev.htm

Doing well by doing good is our favorite motto and if yours is similar, you're sure to find this organization interesting. This is one form of peer pressure that's good for all of us.

Over 400 socially responsible non-profit investors and entrepreneurs are, with the support of the Social Venture Network (SVN), transforming the way the world does business. By bringing together business and philanthropic leaders in a unique global network, SVN aims to measure an organization's success not only by its financial picture but also by its contributions to the environment and surrounding community. That can mean making furniture out of recycled materials, hiring workers with disabilities, or establishing an office supply company that donates its profits to charity.

If you're interested in being a socially responsible business, you can download a free copy of SVN's Standards of Corporate Responsibility. It's the first step in making your organization stand out from the rest.

http://www.svn.org...(PDF)

When most people are faced with the death of a loved one, they grieve, get angry, withdraw -- but not Justine Staman. After watching one of her closest friends and one of her students get murdered while still in their teens, she took the tragic experience as a call to action.

In 1998 Justine started the Teak Fellowship, named for Teak Tyer who was murdered in L.A. in 1988 when she was 18. The fellowship was also established in memory of DeWitt White a former student of Justine's, who was a remarkably gifted pianist, murdered in NY in 1997 at age 17. Too many gifted students get caught in the trap of overcrowded schools that don't offer the college prep, exposure to the arts, internships, or academic support from mentors they need to excel in life. Recognizing the injustice that academic disadvantages create, Justine resolved to make a difference. She established TEAK, a New York City-based non-profit, to help high-achieving students from low-income families get into and succeed at top schools that are often unreachable due to lack of support, tutoring, training or finances.

Getting into a top high school, having support throughout school and the college application process, and being exposed to strong peers, advisors, and mentors can give talented but economically disadvantaged students more equal footing from which to compete and succeed. Through TEAK, talented students get the opportunity to attend the most prestigious schools in the country, including Phillips Academy Andover, Stuyvesant HS, Phillips Exeter Academy, Deerfield Academy, and colleges and universities like Harvard, University of Pennsylvania, Vassar, Columbia, Cornell, Duke, Emory, Georgetown, among others.

TEAK's newest class of 2009 was rewarded for its hard work with admission to over fifty top high schools and $2.1 million in financial aid over four years. It is the only NYC program of its kind with a race-blind admission process.