- Build it and they will come. You need to create a nonprofit before you start looking for donations.
- Don't waste your time with a business plan. The world moves so fast, it would be useless in a few months. Just go with the flow and follow the opportunities as they come.
- No matter what anyone says, it's your nonprofit; construct it to serve your interests and what you think is best.
- Use form documents you find on the internet to create articles of incorporation and bylaws. It's all boilerplate and it's not like anyone will bother to read them.
- Fill your board with relatives, friends, and a few rich people who will provide big donations but stay out of the way on decision-making. Give them some public recognition and they'll be happy.
- You deserve to be compensated for all of your volunteer efforts; once the nonprofit starts making money, make sure it gives you back pay for all that volunteer work you did. And make it your primary goal to create a job with a lucrative salary for yourself; you deserve it.
- Don't hire any employees, make them all independent contractors so you don't have to worry about employee rights, worker's comp, and payroll tax withholding.
- Insurance is for losers; you're a winner. Don't waste your money.
- In the early years, it's all about the fundraising. You can focus on mission later.
- Don't worry about legal compliance. Even if you break the law, you're a charity, nobody will go after you.