While I am currently working in the for-profit sector, I have been thinking about creating my own charitable association for a cause I strongly believe in. Some of my friends say I should definitely quit now so I can work on my idea full-time. I do have some money put aside already – should I do this and follow my dream? I seem reluctant to make a choice, and it’s starting to really bother me.

First of all, I applaud your zeal for considering your own charity. It takes a huge amount of commitment and personal sacrifice to be successful, especially in the not-for-profit sector. However, you are right to have reservations, and you should listen to that little voice in your head telling you to tread cautiously (at least until you read the rest of my article).

When jumping off a building IS a good idea

What you are grappling with internally at the moment is a simple thing called FEAR. Fear is a very good thing for us to have; it prevents us from doing things that can prove to be harmful or even fatal to us. As an evolutionary tool, it has served us well since those cave dwellers not afraid of poisonous snakes are not around anymore, having died off long ago (from snake bites, of course). However, our fears can also be constraints to us, and prevent us from achieving our goals and dreams in life. Most logical people have an equally logical fear of jumping off a tall building. This fear helps them to preserve their lives. If the building is on fire, with no other route for escape, and there are rescuers holding a safety net on the ground below us, that same fear of jumping has suddenly become a constraint to us. Now, it is illogical NOT to jump.

Why your friends aren’t quitting their jobs

To continue the burning-building analogy – your friends are the onlookers to the fire scene. They would certainly not want to see the jumper get hurt, but they just as certainly would not volunteer to take the jumper’s place. I’m sure your friends are well-intentioned and looking out for your best interests, but the risk to them of you failing is either non-existent or very minimal at most. They may even learn a thing or two from your experience along the way. It will certainly be exciting for them to see whether you succeed, just as it would be nice to see that poor jumper land in the net. So I would minimize the impact of your friends’ urging to quit – don’t listen to them. This is a decision you have to make yourself. If their pleas become too much to resist, ask your friends individually if they would be willing to sign a legal commitment in front of a lawyer or notary, guaranteeing their financial support for you, up to a specific dollar amount per month, should your venture fail. Not many would be willing to take on that kind of risk or commitment.

When Others are Significant

This same rule does not apply to significant others or life partners. They usually DO have a personal stake in your decision, so you should carefully consider their thoughts and feelings on the subject. You will most definitely need their support in this, no matter what the outcome, so if you include them from the outset you have more chance of getting and maintaining that support.

Where’s the frying pan and where’s the fire? Do your research first

So you are in a situation now where you understand a little better what is holding you back from making and acting on your decision. What you don’t know at this point is whether this is a logical fear (eg. falling from a building will kill me) or a psychological constraint (eg. not jumping from a burning building into a safety net). The best strategy to assist you with this is simple – gain more knowledge. There are many ways that you can get more information about your proposed endeavour, including the Internet, research libraries, existing charity boards of directors and senior officers, among many other options. You can read my previous article on Informational Interviewing to provide yourself with direct information from knowledgeable people who may also be able to help you launch your charity. Remember, this is a highly regulated sector, with many government departments involved (including some that may even have grant money), so you have a lot to learn. You may also find out that you have competition out there – someone else might have thought of this idea already and be operating as we speak. Better to find out now than later, when it may be too late to change course.

Your employer as banker

The nice part about your situation now is that your employer is still paying you. A steady pay cheque can be a very nice thing to have, particularly in uncertain economic times. Save as much money as you can while you are completing your research. You should have enough cash saved to provide at lest 6-12 months of living expenses, should you ultimately choose to go it on your own. This amount will NOT include any of the start-up expenses you may need for your charity. It is generally not a good idea to tell your boss that you are thinking of doing this. They may start making their own plans for you, using the assumption that you will be quitting shortly in order to pursue your dream. They may also suspect that you are using company time or resources to work on your charity.

Have a fall-back position – Consider going part-time at first

If possible, you can consider taking a less risky approach than outright quitting, and negotiating different working conditions for a short, mid, or long term. This can often give you some degree of financial support should it take longer to establish your charity, or if it ultimately fails. You can ask for leaves of absence, part-time hours, or job sharing as alternatives, depending on the mutual needs of you and your employer.

The dream you have is a virtuous one, and it comes with its own risks and potential rich rewards. Before you make any decisions on your future, make sure you have thoughtfully weighed out your options as carefully and thoroughly as possible.

Good luck!

Michael Mayne, M.B.A., CMA, is Managing Partner and a Certified Professional Career Counsellor at Catalyst Careers, a Career Transition, Counselling, and Outplacement firm. Michael has been involved in the not-for-profit sector for many years, and is Past President and Treasurer of ALS Canada. To contact Michael, visit: www.catalystcareers.com.

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Disclaimer: Advice and recommendations are based on limited information provided and should be used as a guideline only. Neither the author nor CharityVillage.com make any warranty, express or implied, or assume any legal liability for accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information provided in whole or in part within this article.