Ben had been mulling his charity dream, it seemed like, forever. He had a day job, one that he was far from giving up. His family depended on his reliable for-profit employment and income. Yet he had long had a growing and even gnawing sense that he had more to offer in life than punching a clock. Ben even felt that he had a calling to a charitable ministry. No, he wasn’t going to quit his day job to follow his dream. He would remain responsible to his family’s needs and interests. But he just sensed that he needed some sound information and encouragement about how he might at least start to pursue his charity dream, even if it might take a good while to get there.

Advice

Wise counselors make for wise decisions. If you are looking for advice about whether and how to pursue your charitable 501(c)(3) dream, then you already have the right inclination. Hold onto that thought, and pursue it. Get as much advice and information about a 501(c)(3) as you can, even as you explore your calling to a charitable ministry. Fools rush in where angels fear to tread. Don’t be a fool. Get sound information and advice. And get your information and advice from reliable sources. Sure, ask your friends and family members. They may have helpful opinions, too. You can benefit from their interest and may need their support. But don’t just listen to the uninformed. Instead, seek the counsel of those who have been there and done that. Experience is a wise teacher. Listen to those who have it.

Experience

My experience with 501(c)(3) charitable organizations is frankly substantial, perhaps as substantial as you’ll find from any readily available source. I am a lawyer, which is no special distinction when it comes to 501(c)(3) work. Most lawyers have exactly zero experience with 501(c)(3) charitable organizations, especially any experience forming, advising, and representing them. But somewhere along the way, early in my forty-year legal career, I started helping clients form, lead, and operate 501(c)(3) charitable organizations, dozens of them. When, a couple decades ago, I became a law professor and dean, I started a pro bono program for 501(c)(3) organizations with law student help. My students and I helped form and qualify as tax exempt over a hundred new 501(c)(3) charitable organizations for people from all walks of life. I also began teaching 501(c)(3) courses and writing and speaking about charitable organizations. So, yes, I have relevant experience, and although I don’t know any details of your personal circumstances or charitable dream, you can trust my general information and broad advice.

Leadership

I’ve also governed and managed several 501(c)(3) charitable organizations, as a board president, board member, and management employee. You don’t just want advice from someone who can help you with the gritty little technical details. You also need leadership advice, you know, the vision thing. The most successful charitable organizations that I helped were the ones the leader of which had a clear, purposeful, and passionate vision that the leader was able to communicate in all settings. I learned early on not to judge whether these leaders had the right vision. Some organizations I helped form and qualify as tax exempt went nowhere, even though I was sure that they would. Others I thought would fail to attract any funding or interest instead took off. Don’t judge a person’s dreams. Instead, trust their clarity, purpose, and passion. Let reality then be the test.

Flourishing

That hint, just given, about assessing and valuing your clarity, purpose, and passion, while letting reality determine if you have the right vision, is perhaps the best guide or advice. I can’t tell you or anyone else if your calling is true and your vision on point. I’m not a prophet or seer. And I don’t suggest that you go looking for advice on whether you have the right calling and vision. That’s between you and your calling’s divine source. Plenty of people have lost their calling to the bad advice of doubters, detractors, and the frankly jealous. But keep asking yourself and asking others whether your vision for a 501(c)(3) charitable organization truly promotes flourishing. Stay away from naysayers. Instead, look for advice that fuels your vision, purpose, and passion for a better, higher, purer, richer, and more meaningful life. 

Critiques

While you should stay away from naysayers who throw cold water on your fiery passion, listen to honest, earnest, and well-meaning critiques. I know that lawyers have the reputation of saying no to everything. But in practice, no or at least not that way! is often good advice. Thus, don’t take the guidance in this book as quashing your charitable ambitions, hopes, and dreams. Just the opposite: take this book’s words as encouragement to pursue your true calling. Yet consider carefully the critiques. Doing so may save you a ton of time, trouble, expense, and embarrassment. And please accept my well wishes. My hope and prayer is that these words will in some sense stir, support, and secure the charitable ministries of many talented, earnest, honest, and passionate souls.

Key Points

• Seek sound advice from wise counselors.

• Trust experience over opinions.

• Clarify and confirm your vision, purpose, and passion.

• Point your efforts toward making a better life for everyone.

• Accept well-meaning and skilled critiques.

• Don’t relinquish your calling.

Read Chapter 2.