Oyebisi provides edgy thoughts on edgy topics through his independent thinking page at www.oyebisi.com. Here he documents his thoughts, ideas and “forward looking next steps” on various development issues.

A great way to let you into his thoughts, he thinks!

Read some of his independent thinking posts here.

Start a for-profit and not a not-for-profit!

The above is the advice I have given to those who approach me on how to start a not-for-profit organization popularly called NGOs in this part of the world.

Why would someone who is unemployed be interested in starting a not-for-profit when he/she has to pick bills and at the basic minimum eat two square meals, sorry one square meal as two or three square meals are no longer a right for many!

I have heard many arguments justifying the need for more not-for-profits to be created and it does not matter who is setting it up so far it is addressing an issue. How effectively this organization can address issues is a subject for another day but I seriously think its time we channel those energies used in setting up not-for-profits
and attending conferences and workshops that we end up not following up on into for –profits or social enterprise.

The case I am making here is this, an unemployed graduate who wakes up one day to start a not-for-profit might have good intentions to advocate or correct a social ill however where will he/she get the needed fund to operate. Donors! That’s right but do you think donors will fund an organization that has no experience? Just as a
prospective employer will be reluctant to employ you without experience so it is in the funding world.

While we all can’t be entrepreneurs or social entrepreneurs, one thing that is clear is we can all create something that can generate income. The missing link is our willingness to go the tough way/route to get started. The not-for-profit route seems to be easy but in all fairness it really isn’t as many who have followed this route end up being workshop and conference statistics whether nationally or internationally.

Don’t get me wrong I am not saying you should not set up a not-for-profit if you have the means to fund it, but if you are unemployed and you are reading this and you have it in your plans to set up a not-for-profit I say set up a for-profit first and then channel proceeds from your business into your not-for-profit venture if you are truly passionate about that issue.

What do you think? Inbox me your thoughts at seyi@oyebisi.com