Name this organization!
One must first of all have a solid foundation
-Sri Aurobindo
While I have a general understanding of the process for starting a non-profit organization (filing articles of incorporation, obtaining EIN, establishing a board, writing bylaws and COI documents, filing for 501(c)(3) status, etc) I also know - from nearly 10 years working in legal/compliance in the federal government - that each of these steps must be completed in a precise way with the right boxes checked and correct words used in order to avoid delays, amendments, or outright rejection of tax exempt status by the IRS. And without 501(c)(3) status I can't apply for grants (and can't offer you a tax deduction when I ask you for money😉). I've also learned over the years, that in the long run, it's always easier to start with a solid foundation, even if it takes more up-front time, money, effort, than to just jump in and have to go back later and fix everything. So, I'm currently looking for an attorney to guide me through the start-up process and help me build a solid foundation for the organization.
I feel a little bit like Goldilocks right now looking for the juuusssst right fit. The first attorney I spoke with pitched me a flat-rate start-up package with a much lower cost than I had guessed it would be...but then he never followed-up with the paperwork he said he would email me (conclusion: you get what you pay for); the next firm I reached out to said they'll be happy to do an initial consultation with me for $500 (and this is a firm that specializes in non-profit law - clearly their target clients are the big national nonprofit organizations, not the average small start-up org!); next week I have two more [free] consultations scheduled so 🤞. [Also: to save you the effort of advising me to seek pro bono legal service: the Greater Richmond Bar Foundation does coordinate pro bono services for nonprofit organizations, but it is to provide legal support for already established organizations, for instance to review contracts, and they explicitly state that they do not provide pro bono startup services]
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Organization, attention to detail - those are my strengths, creativity? Not so much. I've had lengthy text exchanges with a few of my friends and colleagues to try to come up with a name: Enrichmond - already taken, anything with the word thrive in it (RVA Thrives, Thrive Virginia) - taken. So I'm casting my net wider to see if any of you have some ideas for me!
What's in a name?
Key ideas and values to be represented/encompassed in the name of my organization:- wellness - growth - thriving
- building relationships - connecting - community
- healthy aging = continuing to engage in activities and roles that provide purpose to life (leisure, social participation, volunteering)
Name must be:
The current front runner is: Live Well Richmond
- Short, simple, and catchy
- Somehow relates to/symbolizes the purpose/mission of the organization
- Could be an acronym
- Already be used in Richmond, VA (what comes up when you google it?)
- Hard to pronounce or ambiguous pronunciation
- Explicitly reference older adults (e.g. Senior connections)
- Reference place-bases services (e.g. community center)
The current front runner is: Live Well Richmond
- simple - broad - encompassing (doesn't imply organization for only older adults)
- easily adaptable for future expansion to other cities
- no other local Richmond organizations using the name
- On the generic side
- Live Well Financial, Inc was based in Richmond and the CEO was recently convicted of fraud
What do you think? Do you have any suggestions for me? Click here to submit your ideas and if I end up using your idea for my organization's name you'll get a special shout-out on the soon-to-be created organizational website!
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