For any major endeavor, you need a set of guidelines to help you navigate the incredible number of possibilities available to you as a changemaker and to help you define your path. On this page, we provide you with a fundamental outline for how to create your own organization. Read it through completely for a roadmap to boost your progress:

Brainstorm and Draft a purpose for your project

You should know by now what issue you wish your organization to address. This motivation for your project should provide you with the foundation to develop a mission statement and a vision statement for your work: Your mission statement should describe clearly and concisely why your organization should exist-what is its purpose? Your vision statement can be however long or short you desire, but it must give shape and direction to your organization’s future-what do you want your project to become, how do you foresee it growing? Brainstorm a set of values that will guide your organization in fulfilling its mission and vision.

Research your project

As you develop a goal plan for your organization, research on the web, in newspapers and other media sources, and in nonprofit listings for programs with a mission or structure similar to your own. If you find an organization or program similar to your own, determine how you can distinguish yourself, and then collaborate with the existing program if desired.

Create a name for your project

Once you have discovered and outlined the purpose for your organization, the next step is to create a name that reflects this purpose. To help you in your search, try asking yourself the following questions:

a. What community need are you trying to solve?

b. How does your organization satisfy this need? What solution does it offer?

c. Why did you choose this need and this solution for your project?

Find a mentor

A mentor is an adult or other knowledgeable advisor who can help you create partnerships, develop a strategy for growth, focus on your goals, fundraise, and provide other valuable advice and support while still letting you stay in charge. Try finding an adult outside of your family, like a teacher from school or a leader in your youth group, to help you.

Outline a list of at least five SMART Goals for the Future

SMART Goals are specific-detailed enough that a person unfamiliar with your team can understand them, measurable-you can measure how successful an achieved goal is, attainable-reasonable enough that the goals can indeed be achieved practically, realistic-the goals can be achieved with the resources that you have, and timely- there is an established timeline for achieving these goals. SMART goals can help you plan for the future of your project.

Share your vision with family and friends

The first step to generating publicity about your project and finding a team to brainstorm and implement ideas is by telling your story to other people. You know how and why you have chosen this project, and you should share your story- people will be drawn to your passion and your commitment. If you do not yet know how to articulate your passion, visit our Find Your Passion pages to help you get started.

Hold your first meeting

With your new team, your name, and your goal plan for the future, publicize your first meeting in your school and community! Make and display posters and brochures, send out emails and letters, and talk to people in your neighborhood to encourage them to come. Entice people to come to your meeting with perks like free food or guest speakers.
Decide on what responsibilities will fall to the common member of your team-not an executive leader, but an average member-and explain these clearly. Most importantly, write down all the contact information of those who attend and send a follow-up message to them to express your thanks and hope for their continued participation.

Fundraise!

Ask for donations from family and friends, apply for grants from corporations ands organizations, and organize fundraising events to raise both funds and awareness for your cause. Ideas are important, but we always need money and people power to make them happen. Don’t get discouraged if your requests are rejected the first few times-just keep on trying, and you will prevail.

Plan your first event

Perhaps to kick off your new program and generate widespread community support, plan a fundraising event, a social awareness workshop, a discussion, or a public meeting about your work. Events can be a great way to increase the visibility of your project and have fun, while celebrating activism and inspiring others to get involved. To learn more information about how to plan an event, visit our Planning an Event page.

Build an online presence

If access to the Internet is easily available to you, create a website or other means of online communication to spread awareness about your project. This can be in the form of a blog or a webpage if you do not have the ability yet to create a website. But be sure to join our network and outreach to your Peace Ambassador to get some great resources for how to do this!