A battered women's shelter may qualify as a nonprofit organization.
Domestic violence is defined as a pattern of abusive behavior used by one person to gain or maintain control over an intimate partner, according to the National Organization for Women. Minority women under the age of 24 who are low-income are at the highest risk for domestic abuse. A battered women's shelter can provide a safe living place for a woman in an abusive relationship who may have nowhere else to go for support. A women's shelter may not only provide a short-term safe haven, but may be the encouragement a battered woman needs to leave her abuser and begin a new life.
Instructions
1. Conduct thorough research on battered women. Understanding domestic violence, its victims and the mental impact of physical abuse can help to determine the type of shelter you will open and what services to offer. Visit the local library and search for books about the subject matter, in addition to envisioning yourself in the position of a battered woman. Imagine the circumstances a battered woman may be in, what she is feeling on a daily basis and why she remains in an abusive relationship.
2. Determine the services offered at the shelter. Visiting other local shelters to inquire about their services can give a general idea of how a shelter is commonly run. Decide if the shelter will be only for women, or if their children will be allowed as well, if the facility will provide short-term or long-term support or if there will be substance-abuse programs, educational programs or job-hunting assistance.
3. Create a proposal or business plan. Provide an accurate description of the type of women your shelter will help, the estimated number of battered women in the area who could benefit from the shelter and include the results of all other research that was conducted. Include mission and vision statements, overall operating procedures, as well as daily tasks for anticipated employees or volunteers. Give thorough descriptions of all proposed programs and services, in addition to the potential location, estimated start-up costs and the anticipated amount of funding necessary for operating expenses. Network with national organizations such as the National Network to End Violence to gain legitimacy.
4. Consult an attorney. An attorney will prepare all legal documents necessary to register as a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization. Commonly referred to as charitable organizations, 501(c)3 organizations are eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
5. Begin fundraising. Provide interested donors with a proposal and answer any questions they may have. Plan local fundraising events and mail letters of requests for monetary donations and supplies such as soap and toiletries to businesses in the area, specifically those that are women-owned or that have an interest in women and women's issues. Contact local churches to ask if they would adopt your project and apply for grants specifically designed for battered women's shelters, such as program 93.592 Family Violence and Prevention/Grants for Battered Women's Shelters. This program is offered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
6. Allocate the funds according to the proposal, but be prepared to make adjustments. Stay as close to the original proposal as possible, but be flexible when needed. Once the shelter is opened, you may find an area of need that you were unaware of, that long-term care is not as popular as you predicted or that you are receiving a larger amount of donations than anticipated.
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