Often when we hear of a high school student or group of high school students starting a nonprofit, we ask why?  Aren’t there enough nonprofit organizations and enough fundraising efforts?  What can a new organization do that the current ones can’t?

In 2022 there were 1.97 million nonprofits and 1.48 million 501(c) (3) tax exempt organizations.  With these many nonprofits, does it make sense to add another one?  

Since 2006 the approximate number of 501 (c) (3) nonprofits in the US has remained at 1.5 million fluctuating as low as 1.4 million or as high as 1.56 million.  So, there has not been a steady net rise in the number of nonprofits over the last 18 years.  

We had volunteered at other nonprofits and charities and had noted that our volunteering while important had limited impact on those around us.  We helped only the students that we directly interacted with and only for the hours we saw them.  It was unclear what effect our volunteerism had after we saw the students or what effect our volunteerism would have will after we graduated high school—and presumably moved. 

We examined what most nonprofit organizations needed.  They needed money to run the organization and train volunteers.   While many nonprofits rely on volunteer help, inconsistent or haphazard volunteerism is of no help at all.  As with all organizations, a consistent and high-quality workforce is needed. This workforce is often a combination of paid staff and volunteers who are properly screened and trained by the hired staff.   Additionally, most nonprofits need to pay for rent and other costs to keep them running.

We realized that we could have the maximum impact on those we serve by both volunteering and fundraising for that organization.  However, how do we fundraise for several organizations.  It is a difficult task to get others to donated for one charity much less several.  We realized that by having donors give to one central organization, and then that one organization can help several charities.  We concluded that forming a nonprofit would best serve our goals.

Ashna Dagam & Sanjay Dagam