<p>I am currently a senior in high school and as you can tell from the question, I want to give back to the community. I have created a product as a result of a science fair and want to share it with developing nations (it's a small lamp powered by green technology). I've recently considered starting a non-profit organization (NPO) but am not sure if I should or not. I am almost 18 if that helps anyone out. </p>
<p>Anyways, please let me know what you think! Thank you all in advance!</p>
<p>Hopefully by talking it over here, I can get a better idea of what exactly I am going to do! Thanks!</p>
<p>I think there are some NPOs that are already involved with providing that sort of tech. Not to mention, if you could get them interested in your product (consider a patent, maybe?), they’d have more resources to get them over there, and you could ask for something in writing saying that they were using your product, and that it was still yours.</p>
<p>You can have two non-profits serving the same purpose.</p>
<p>However, non-profits take a long time to get started. The paperwork involved is huge, to the point that some hire people to specifically draft it all because receiving actual non-profit status to accept donations is a comprehensive process.</p>
<p>Try something like your idea on a smaller scale, like with your school or district. It’s be much easier and less red tape. I have a friend who was considering starting an NPO but was disappointed to find that it takes at least six months to get set up.</p>
<p>Hmm makes sense. I guess time is really of the essence right now. I do plan to dedicate a majority of my time (along with college apps this next year) to this project, however I am not too sure if I can still pursue it in college and beyond. </p>
<p>I suppose a better question would be whether or not there are any advantages to starting an NPO given the conditions stated above?</p>