Tell me what you think

Debdebdebby13 · #1 08-06-2012, 09:54 PM

My mother in law has decided to start a non-profit organization to help children with diabetes. Her main goals are to help people get diabetic alert dogs if they want them, but cannot afford them or to help them get a CGM or sensors if they do not have insurance coverage.

This is all still in the very early stages and we are still figuring out exactly how it would work.

I would just like some advice, feedback, what you think of the idea etc. If you know of any problems we might run into that would be good information to have.

mmgirls · #2 08-06-2012, 10:10 PM

I applaud your MIL.

But personally I would start smaller. I will now ramble off a few ideas/thoughts.

I think that making sure that a child has enough strips and enough insulin and the access to alternate insulin therapies would be great.

I think CGM coverage would be wonderful, but that medic alert dogs would be a stretch especially if being provided to a home with not enough D supplies nor enough money to provide for the dogs care.

i also think that being able to cover the costs of daycare or babysitting so that a family could earn more money but have their child in a safe and trained enviroment would be absolutly wonderfull for a family in need. Even a family not in finacial need but needing a break from daily care.

Funds for D camps or putting togeather gatherings of families that are affected by D.

Beach bum · #3 08-07-2012, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmgirls

I applaud your MIL.

But personally I would start smaller. I will now ramble off a few ideas/thoughts.

I think that making sure that a child has enough strips and enough insulin and the access to alternate insulin therapies would be great.

I think CGM coverage would be wonderful, but that medic alert dogs would be a stretch especially if being provided to a home with not enough D supplies nor enough money to provide for the dogs care.

i also think that being able to cover the costs of daycare or babysitting so that a family could earn more money but have their child in a safe and trained enviroment would be absolutly wonderfull for a family in need. Even a family not in finacial need but needing a break from daily care.

Funds for D camps or putting togeather gatherings of families that are affected by D.

I fully agree. While the dog is probably something near and dear to her, there is so much more of a need for the daily things to get kids through an ordinary day. I know there are people who live from prescription to prescription trying to not over use strips so they have enough.

sooz · #4 08-07-2012, 07:18 AM

Does she have non profit experience? There are legal things that must be done including setting up the tax status. Then has she thought about how she would hook up with worthy recipients and verify their need? Does she have a plan to raise the money and attract donors? I am a founding member of a homeless shelter and have volunteered with many other non profits. It is all pretty complicated. Good for her for her philanthropy.

Here is a link to sites that discuss these issues http://www.google.com/search?q=setti...&client=safari

danismom79 · #5 08-07-2012, 07:57 AM

I think aiming for a DAD right from the beginning would drain her resources almost immediately. Raising funds for less costly things could help a lot more people. As her organization grows and she brings in more money, a dog or CGMS might be more feasible.

CAGrandma · #6 08-07-2012, 10:40 AM

Is there a particular reason why she wants to start a new charity rather than become involved in one that already exists? Has she already researched the various organizations set up to provide alert dogs, send kids to camp, etc. There are a whole lot more organizations than JDRF (not to put down JDRF at all). They already have the organization established, have the contacts, procedures, etc. - yet most of them are still small, personal and in need of help both financially and in volunteer time.

Christopher · #7 08-07-2012, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CAGrandma

Is there a particular reason why she wants to start a new charity rather than become involved in one that already exists? Has she already researched the various organizations set up to provide alert dogs, send kids to camp, etc. There are a whole lot more organizations than JDRF (not to put down JDRF at all). They already have the organization established, have the contacts, procedures, etc. - yet most of them are still small, personal and in need of help both financially and in volunteer time.

My thoughts as well. If she really wants to help, it would be much easier, quicker, etc. to work with an established charity and she could make a difference right away.

emm142 · #8 08-07-2012, 02:32 PM

If she's keen to start something herself, I'd definitely not focus on DADs at first. Each one is so expensive, for a small, not well-established non-profit organisation it seems infeasible. CGMS funding may be more plausible, if she has good fundraising methods, or even smaller (test strips, insulin, etc.).

tiger7lady · #9 08-07-2012, 03:20 PM

Also the problem with funding CGM's are the monthly costs involved. A good portion of the costs with CGM are the sensors - so is she planning on funding the start up and the ongoing costs? At least with insulin and test strips if she plans on helping families on a monthly basis the costs of those are less.