The last two years have been full of learning experiences. Some I welcomed more than others, but nonetheless I have learned a great deal.
One of the greatest lessons that I have learned was that creating a nonprofit is totally different from just creating a regular business. I have over 7 years experience with business ownership, but my 2 years of running a nonprofit has been my most humbling experience thus far.
Naturally I took on this nonprofit endeavor with a simple business plan and capital that I earned over the years. I thought that if I donated money to some organizations, donate some funds to the community, and create a scholarship fund I would be an elite nonprofit organization within 2 years.
Needless to say my very first year as a nonprofit CEO was not what I expected it to be. Nothing worked and I was searching for answers for ways to improve. The answer was simple; Fashion For A Cure was created with the purpose of providing service to the community. That was the one thing i didn’t focus on. As I look back on those first 10 months of working with the organization, I noticed I embodied the wrong personality, didn’t focus on the purpose of its creation, and as a result gained clarity on why FFAC was not experiencing growth.
For the next 3 months I did intense research and in my findings I was humbly set straight. Running a nonprofit is not about the money you give or the money you make; it is about the lives you change. You change lives by sharing your life and resources with those in need. It was only after understanding this key element, that I was able to help lead and direct FFAC into a successful direction.
Here at FFAC we support of community by:
- Volunteering our time to various organizations and aiding them in respect to their mission statements.
- Assisting families in need of financial support of medical expenses.
- Providing mentorship to young men and women through our in-house programs and the programs of other organizations that we have strong affiliations with.
- An array of scholarships that help people pursing careers in health care and fashion
For more information feel free to send us an email
Kay Marie – Director of Community Relations
Kay@Fashionforacure.org
