It’s Saturday afternoon (not sure when I will post this) and I’ve spent the past 5-6 hours working on HELP while listening to U2 & Death Cab on Vinyl.
Here is the question I keep asking myself: “What is standing in the way of HELP raising 5 million in 5 years for those who live in extreme poverty?”
Here my thoughts.
1. Clarity: I can do a lot of things. Such as build water wells, sponsor kids, build orphanages and clinics. There is so much NEED, yet I need to focus. So what is my clarity? Do I do them all based on individual projects? Or do I find a leader who has a need and invest in that leader to solve the need? As you can see I’m struggling to clarify the vision. But one thing is certain-I must have clarity.
2. Creativity: Non-profits are no different than any business, you must attract attention. My friend Eugene Cho has done a masterful job at this via Facebook. Every-time someone becomes a “fan” of his organization he will donate $1 to the org. Therefore he now has 75,000 fans-freaking EPIC.
Most people don’t care about poverty all that much. They don’t mean to do this-but, it is what it is! My job is to be creative and get the story in front of the people. I have to get “them” to see the need and how they can help solve this issue in this lifetime.
3. Resources: It’s not easy raising money in this economy. I need to find some creative resources. I’m currently putting together a campaign that can raise 6-figures plus in just a few weeks. This campaign is simple, yet I will not ask people to write a check. Hopefully It’s a creative way to fight poverty without asking people to just give money. I want to help educate them so they can help eradicate extreme poverty.
4. Networking: This is just a natural strength of mine. If I’m going to be good I need to spend a lot of time in meetings, golfing (scary can you say 100+), event hopping, and such. I know If I’m going to be successful I will need to create a team of people who are better than me to help. I need favor with God and people. (Pro 3)
5. Team: I need a team of people who are deeply willing to sacrifice in order to see this dream fulfilled. These are people who will volunteer their time and work with and for HELP. I already have a good start!!!
6. Longevity: Man it’s a long road to start a non-profit. Most people don’t share the same passions and dreams and that can be so frustrating. (If someone tells me Jesus said the poor will always be with us, I may do a side-ways triple drop-kick to there forehead-and these are Christians) But I have to lead through that, knowing that exponential growth will occur somewhere down the road.
7. Trust: At the end of the day I know this is a God-thing so I have to trust Him. So simple and yet so hard. I know God cares about those in extreme poverty a lot more then me. Here is what drives me: I’m doing this organization for God more then people. Why? Because I know the heart of God is broken. So first-and-foremost I do this for God and His glory. This is why I’ve decided to keep this a “Christian” organization-which scares me. When I sit down with the billionaire business guy, I want him to know that I do this for God.
What dream do you have? What is standing in the way of that dream being fulfilled?
