This capstone project presentation is Landon Padgett Memorial Fund (The Fund) – a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in memory of Landon Padgett who died on September 17, 2016. The problem presented herein is this researcher’s lack of knowledge and experience in starting this kind of organization. It’s just the kind of problem for which applied research provides immediate benefits. To that end, the proceeding presents the findings of research that informed the design and implementation off the organization. It shows how data from benchmarking comparable organizations advised the structure of organization’s first program offering, Landon Padgett Memorial Scholarships, and how trends affecting nonprofits helped with organizational decisions. This research also informed objectives and strategies in the strategic roadmap; a comprehensive, executable plan that sets forth a long-range direction for the organization.
Research and Design
This researcher, Landon’s husband, remembers that not long after Landon started work at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, one of his new born patients passed away. He was understandably devastated. That night, I listened to him question whether he had the capacity to watch another baby die. It’s a question many would ask and a reality most couldn’t face. But Landon, like many nurses, found a way to understand his role in the lives of these young ones. I watched as his distress turned into a renewed commitment to the profession that had called him. From the depths of confusion and doubt, Landon found a way to turn grief into action.
That example of strength formed the basis for this organization. While hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park in September 2017, this researcher pondered a question I’d carried with me from Atlanta to Denver. “How can I preserve and carry on Landon’s legacy?”. The answer to that question came to me that day. The core of his legacy was his commitment to helping and serving others. So, I proposed to Landon’s family and friends that we create a lasting legacy on his behalf. They all agreed. So, we set out to establish a memorial organization on the belief that Landon’s goodwill can transcend life and have an impact for years to come. And, they agreed that awarding scholarships in Landon’s name would be a great place to start.
Once we’d decided to create the organization, we all had a lot to learn. Fortunately, this researcher was firmly entrenched by then in University College’s Leadership and Organization’s program (Philanthropic Leadership specialization) taking two courses – Building 21st Century Organizations and Fundamentals of Fundraising. The latter, especially, helped me understand the fundraising lifecycle (identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship) as it relates to nonprofits. With each week’s lesson, I trained my thoughts on how to apply the knowledge I was gaining to the organization I wanted to start. But there was still the problem of not understanding the nonprofit sector, broadly, and how to establish a nonprofit, specifically. This was a real-world problem that needed a solution. This researcher sought that solution through research. Research that could be applied immediately and practically. I wanted the organization to be 501(c)(3), but needed to explore other options before making that recommendation to Landon’s family and friends. And, I needed to understand the environment in which the organization would function and to explore similar organizations. From these needs, three questions guided the research that followed:
1. What alternatives exist to establishing a 501(c)(3)?
2. How are similar organizations operated and managed?
3. What are some key trends affecting nonprofits?
Alternatives to Starting a 501(c)(3)
The desire to establish a nonprofit comes from a deep-seeded motivation to do good. But, starting a nonprofit and then managing the organization can be a long, sometimes difficult, task. So, before making the decision to create an independent, 501(c)(3) organization, this researcher explored some alternatives. They included donor advised funds, community foundation sponsorship, unincorporated nonprofit associations and giving circles. There are pros and cons to each of the following alternatives. Understanding them, though, was important before committing to building a Board, developing bylaws, creating organization policies and building the financial and other infrastructure components.