Choosing a Name & Purpose of a Nonprofit Organization

Format: At Your Own Pace

Estimated Time: 45–60 minutes

Submission: One completed worksheet or document

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MODULE INTRODUCTION

In this self-paced lesson, you will explore what it takes to start a nonprofit organization by identifying a cause you care about, defining a clear purpose, and choosing a meaningful name.

There are no live meetings for this lesson. Read each section carefully and complete the activities in order.

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STEP 1: THINK ABOUT PURPOSE (10 minutes)

📖 Read

Every nonprofit organization exists to solve a problem and create positive change. Before choosing a name, you must first understand why your organization exists.

Ask yourself:

• What problem do I want to help solve?

• Who is affected by this problem?

• Why do I care about this issue?

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✏️ Activity 1: Identify the Problem

Type your answers in your document.

1. The problem my nonprofit will address is:

2. Why this problem matters to me:

3. The people or community affected by this problem:

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STEP 2: DEFINE YOUR NONPROFIT’S PURPOSE (15 minutes)

📖 Read

A nonprofit’s purpose explains its reason for existence. It should be clear, meaningful, and focused. Successful nonprofits are driven by passion—if your heart is not in it, the organization will struggle to succeed.

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✏️ Activity 2: Purpose Builder

Complete the following statements:

1. My nonprofit exists to help:

2. The main issue we are trying to solve is:

3. We plan to make an impact by:

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✍️ Activity 3: Purpose Statement

Write one complete sentence that clearly describes your nonprofit’s purpose.

Example:

“Our nonprofit exists to provide educational resources to underserved youth to improve academic success.”

Your Purpose Statement:

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STEP 3: CHOOSING A NONPROFIT NAME (10 minutes)

📖 Read

A nonprofit’s name is an important strategic decision. The name should represent the mission, be easy to remember, and communicate the organization’s focus.

There are two common approaches:

• Purpose-based names that clearly describe what the organization does

• Catchy or memorable names that are easy to remember and brand

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✏️ Activity 4: Name Brainstorm

Create three possible names for your nonprofit:

• Name Option 1:

• Name Option 2:

• Name Option 3:

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✍️ Activity 5: Final Name Selection

Answer the following about your best name choice:

1. My final nonprofit name is:

2. Why I chose this name:

3. How this name connects to my purpose:

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STEP 4: REFLECTION (10 minutes)

✏️ Activity 6: Reflection Questions

Answer in complete sentences.

1. What was the most challenging part of this activity?

2. How did your passion influence your nonprofit idea?

3. Do you believe your nonprofit’s name clearly represents its mission? Why or why not?

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FINAL SUBMISSION CHECKLIST ✅

Before submitting, make sure you have:

• ☐ Identified a nonprofit issue

• ☐ Written a clear purpose statement

• ☐ Created and explained a nonprofit name

• ☐ Completed the reflection questions

📤 Submit your completed document to instructor

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OPTIONAL (Extra Credit or Enrichment)

• Create a simple logo idea for your nonprofit

• Write a short slogan or tagline

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CLOSING MESSAGE

“A nonprofit starts with a passion, grows with purpose, and becomes powerful with a strong identity.”