Growing an Idea into a Viable Ministry Magdalena House, San Antonio

Transcription

1 Growing an Idea into a Viable Ministry, San Antonio Mission is a transitional home that serves mothers and their children who have fled dangerous and abusive lives by providing transformation through education, nurturing community, and programming. We rescue the least and the lost, sharing hope for a new beginning. Vision We provide hope and sustainable transformation in mothers and their children by: Establishing a safe neighborhood of transitional homes and loving community for each family Requiring participation in accredited education, parental support and diverse Enrichment Programming Providing professional, financial and daily needs for each mother and child to flourish Empowering each resident to recognize and use their God- given talents to improve their community 1

2 Quick History was created through the vision and leadership of Rev. Denise Barker Vision: 1998 Movement to create takes off: 2004 Opened its doors: 2007 Nonprofit status: 2009 Growing an Idea into a Viable Ministry How Rev. Denise Barker made her vision a reality Vocation & Prayer During worship in 2 nd year of seminary, I was available to hear God say, I want you to start a women s shelter. It was not my idea. (1998) Prayed about it for a long time. 2

3 Say It Out Loud to Someone You have to say it out loud to someone or it won t become real You invest yourself You invest others You get feedback You find resources and connections I said it out loud to my seminary professor Find a Mentor You need a GRACIOUS and GENEROUS mentor Professor connected me to a nun in San Antonio who started a shelter Sister Yolanda at Visitation House. Suddenly I had someone to talk to. (I had no idea how to run a shelter) I got involved at Visitation House and served for three years as a spiritual director to the women. Sister Yolanda said, You cannot do this alone. You need one other person to do this with you! Talk to Peers Learning Phase I was ignorant I needed to learn how to set up and run a shelter. Volunteered 3 years at Visitation House Researched deeply what other churches were doing Talked to everyone - other shelters, peers: networking & collaboration Who else was doing what I wanted to do? Joined coalition: Southwest Texas Coalition Against Trafficking (now AACAT) 3

4 Share the Vision I wanted to root this ministry in the local church. I had to build up grass roots support to get the vision to stick and gain gravity. I was on staff at University United Methodist Church as Director of Womens Ministry and Missions, so I had a captive audience! I talked and Murmured everywhere: Friends in the local church United Methodist Women organization Bible Studies Mission teams Groups in church Gain Buy- in of Person in Power Matriarch of Church (Martha Etter) came to me, Denise, we ought to start a women s shelter! brought it up as if it were her idea Confirmation for me that the vision was from God it was time, we were on the right track, and energy was building around it at the church Key advocate, had necessary leadership skills: Martha was former secretary to Bishop, key player at University UMC head of trustees, every powerful committee, church administrator Choose a Fellow Champion Needed to find a c0- champion to walk alongside me, share the passion Dr. Kay Rodgers was retiring. She heard about my vision for a women s shelter and wanted to help She considered it her second vocation said she always wanted to be a missionary, this would be her missionary work We joined forces: bounced ideas off each other, kept each other from going crazy 4

5 Create a Task Force Organization has to live somewhere in the church (Women s Ministries) Moving forward would be a battle, because a women s shelter is risky, challenging for a church 100+ people signed up for the task force and declared interest during the first meeting Defined skill sets and direction needed Identify What Skills Needed on Task Force Advocate in leadership CPA Attorney Business plan experience Project management/business administration Passionate leaders TRUST and INTEGRITY Create a Decision Making Body Advisory board (no legal power) Under the umbrella of the local church (which covered liability insurance, administrative and bookkeeping support) 5

6 Get Serious Use Everyone s Talent Do you need approval to proceed? Whose? What are the steps for approval? Who will your stakeholders be? Create a Business Plan to help you think through every aspect as if this idea were reality. Business Plan Essential Questions What is the need? Who in our community is already responding to it? Should we partner? What key leaders do we need? What resources will we need; staff, facilities, equipment, furnishings? Business Plan cont d. How much will it cost to start- up? How will we raise that money? How much does a year of operations cost? How will we raise that money? What are the risks/liabilities/insurance coverage needs? Will the work meet charitable organization eligibility (non- profit per IRS 501 (c)(3))? Who needs to buy- in/what approvals are required from the community? 6

7 What is the Need? International Justice Ministry - - Human Trafficking Statistics to prove it s a problem here Trafficking Homelessness Domestic violence Impact on children Who In Our Community Is Already Doing This? No one was offering shelter for international trafficking victims Similar agencies: Battered Women s Shelter Visitation House Guadalupe Home (Haven for Hope) Should We Partner or Start New Organization? Is the mission unique enough to stand on its own? Do we have the resources? Do we have support from community? (church, AACAT) 7

8 Key Players/Leaders/ Stakeholders Creating a Board of Directors Passion Diverse skill sets Diversity of backgrounds Willingness to dig in and work Resources We Will Need? Staff bookkeeper, counseling resources, on- site staff keep it lean! Facilities house and grounds Equipment office equipment, kitchen, laundry, van Furnishings Start- up Costs Securing facility, equipment, furnishings Preparing shelter for move- in Office/administrative set- up software, supplies Legal fees 8

9 How Much Will It Cost Each Year to Run? Create a Budget Considerations: Staffing Can you pay for Benefits? (if not part time staff) Facility, grounds, and maintenance Equipment costs Costs to serve clients (our MH families) Insurance Utilizing volunteers and in- kind donations Non- monetary Resources In- kind donations: furnishings, equipment, supplies (challenges of useful donations) Volunteers: Church groups, Eagle Scouts, etc. Passion of Executive Director and Board members ultimate volunteers for little/no compensation: Leadership is jack- of- all trades, lightbulb duty, plumber, midnight emergencies How Will We Raise Funds? Startup expenses vs. Operating expenses Ballpark dollars needed refer to business plan Fundraisers Gala, other Direct mail - - Mother s Day and Christmas appeals Local church fundraisers and donations Courting major donors Grants (often require track record ) Capital campaign 9

10 Blessings The $10,000 check The $1/yr lease Strength despite recession Risks/Liabilities/Insurance Coverage needs Property Clients (our families) risks inherent with this population, risks associated with how well clients are vetted Staff Umbrella or Stand Alone? Weigh benefits of independence vs. umbrella organization For : liability, risk, insurance, limited resources, need for expanded donor base were factors that moved us to become a stand- alone ministry 10

11 Charitable Organization? Will the work meet charitable organization eligibility (non- profit per IRS 501 (c)(3))? Exempts ministry from income tax and, in some cases, property tax, AND allows you to accept tax- deductible charitable contributions Can t effectively raise money without being a 501 (c) (3) limits of church budget To Set up as Charitable Mission Statement Board of Directors Articles of Incorporation Ministry Bylaws Incorporation with the State of Texas Articles of Incorporation TX Secretary of State Protection from legal liabilities incurred by organization Name must be unique Quick turnaround with state 11

12 Apply with IRS EIN: Employer Identification Number (needed to set up bank account) 501 (c) (3): Restrictions and guidelines have to be met Legal advice and CPA advice needed in- kind donation of time very helpful here, seek passionate skilled people Takes time lots of waiting Community Buy- in/ Approvals Supporters Churches Potential/actual donors Other similar organizations Coalitions (Alamo Area Coalition Against Trafficking) Neighbors Political leadership Clients Today 8 years of ministry Purchased land from donor, now planning to build a neighborhood of homes to accommodate up to 24 families Founding and continuing member of AACAT (Alamo Area Coalition Against Trafficking) 12

13 Yesterday vs. Today Budget 2008: $60k 2014: $377k Gala 2008: 20 tables, proceeds of $19k 2014: 50 tables, proceeds of $219k Learn More about Facebook, Instagram, Twitter Contact us for a tour or more information: Mary Sanders Come to our Gala on October 24, 2015 at the J.W. Marriott Hill Country Resources on the Web THINKING OF FORMING A NON- PROFIT? What to Consider Before You Begin ThinkingOfForming.pdf nonprofit- ministry html 13