State of North Carolina
Undergraduate Research & Creativity
Symposium
Business, Management, Economics,
and Pre-Law Abstracts
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Chesson, Benjamin S. |
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Dept & College or
University:
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Political Science/Public
Policy, UNC-Chapel Hill |
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Research |
Thomas Kelley/School of
Law, UNC-Chapel Hill |
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Title of Presentation: |
Incorporating National
Students of AMF Support Network into a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization: A
Guide for Students Social Entrepreneurs |
I used my summer research
fellowship, provided by the Kauffman Foundation, to incorporate a student
support network into a nonprofit organization, National Students of AMF Support
Network. I was able to establish the strong foundation for National Students of
AMF Support Network as a nonprofit organization. I started the summer by
writing Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws for the organization and
incorporated with the North Carolina Secretary of State as a not-for-profit
corporation. Next, I applied for and received an Employee Identification Number
(EIN) from the IRS. Having written our organizing documents, I spent the rest
of May planning and executing our first fundraiser. We raised over $20,000
during our fundraising weekend at the end of May; this provided me with the
seed money to officially lunch Students of AMF. I spent the month of June
writing a business plan and doing more research into the necessary elements of
successful nonprofit organizations. I developed a workable operational plan
with realistic objectives for our marketing, fundraising, and expansion. I also
reworked the structure of Students of AMF; giving more power to our Board of
Directors. My research into successful nonprofits allowed me to implement
effective policies and procedures which work for the organization now, but will
also allow for our expansion into a larger nonprofit in the future. My summer
continued as I recruited 10 quality individuals that bring experience and
expertise in a wide range of fields which affect Students of AMF. We held our
first board meeting and officially adopted all of our policies. Next, I filed
Form 1023 with the IRS and I am awaiting official notification of our
tax-exempt status. Over the course of my efforts, I developed a solid plan than
can be used by other students looking to realize their vision for change in the
world through a nonprofit organization. My presentation will relate my
experience to how other students can succeed in the same way.
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