Creating nonprofit organizations within disenfranchised communities

The complexity associated with the creation of a nonprofit corporation has often served as a deterrent for the citizens of disenfranchised communities to create organizations to meet their needs. Resources for Human Developme nt (RHD), a nonprofit corporation, employs over 2,800 persons in seven stat es, and operates with a EY 1999-2000 budget of $70.5 million, and includes in its mission a commitment to local community groups. To accomplish this o bjective, its New Beginnings programs stimulate local community to articula te their needs and interests acid RHD provides technical assistance to thes e groups. Over the past 28 years, RHD, via New Beginnings, has organized ov er 120 groups: many have spun off to become completely autonomous while oth ers have continued under the corporate administrative umbrella. RHD is a unique, innovative organization which has been a risk-taker in cre ating effective: services in collaboration with concerned community groups. This paper describes the philosophy of RHD and the approach its New: Begin nings program has used with aspiring groups. It seeks to serve as a stimulu s to nonprofits in search of new approaches to community empowerment and co mmunity development.