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Re: Business Plan Mar 11, 2008 3:30 PM
I'd suggest you visit
http://www.irs.gov/charities/index.html (and/or contact a legal/tax professional) to examine all the steps that this enterprise you have in mind would need to take to qualify as a non-profit organization. That will help you determine if the non-profit route is the way you want to go.
If you're trying to raise money from investors or through donations, a PowerPoint presentation is not just an added bonus, it's an essential part of the process. However, you probably don't need such a presentation if you only intend to approach banks and other traditional lenders, SCORE, the SBA, etc. for help.
As far as whether it's "harder" to raise money for a non-profit, I'd say it's easier to raise seed or expansion funding for a "good" business than it is to get donations for a "good" cause (especially in the current economic climate and in a presidential election year). On the other hand, it's probably easier (i.e., possible) to get donations for a "mediocre" charity than it is to get funding for a "mediocre" business (which is nearly impossible). Of course, that's just based on my experiences.
Hope this helps. Best wishes.
