You could get sponsors... to help with the funding, make leaflets post them through peoples doors see who would be interested in helping out ect. you could contact your local police station, they may have some suggestions or things to help... other than this im not entirely sure how you would go about it. Will look into it for you though and get back to you? x

thanks. i really appreciate that. also answer me this...if someone made the decision to do this, what would be the very first thing they would do? keep in mind that there is already a possible location/home available but it needs to be converted into a shelter...

You might go to your local library and ask if they have a foundation collection...something that lists foundations willing to donate money for non-profit causes. You'll probably have to come up with some kind of a business plan (how you will ensure continuous funding, in this case). The library might even have books specifically devoted to how to start something like this up.

Good luck on a great cause!

the very first thing i would do is to get volunteers that would help out or staff...:)

there are ways to get free federal grants for starting business. and a decent woman's shelter would be a great thing to have around here!

thank you so much for this info.

ok so i need to:

research foundations or market throughout community for funds

come up with a business plan

find more volunteers

where do i go to get the grants? is there a special organization

you could actually approach universities they do sponsor other organisations or any governmental funded business.

check online, look up free federal grants. you should be able to go from there ok.

If your town is anything like mine, you'd have to have permission from the Planning Board and/or Board of Adjustment to convert anyplace into a shelter. (Yup, the government gets in on everything)

For more info, why not try and contact an existing shelter and ask them how they went about it. Or perhaps a local church or women's group might have some information?

Good luck.

ok i'll do that...thanks again. i hope we can do this

I do believe you can also check with city hall in your area. They will be able to tell you what permits are needed as well.

I hope you can too -- shelters are important. Another suggestion -- maybe the National Organization for Women might have some kind of info they share?

Put in a grant proposal to Greyhound bus lines for free or subsidized tickets for women who need to escape an area..

You need a safe house that can not be traced to you in any fashion. You need to let the cops know that you are open to help and that you might one day be needing help.

Try to find some lawyers who will work pro bono or sliding scale.

Get with local food bank. You will need help.

Get with local employment agencies so your refugees can look for work.

Always meet refugees at neutral place and look for a tail as you take them back to the safe house. This is called counter-surveillance. Do this every time you drive no matter where you are going. Keep a digital camera handy and photograph faces and cars you see frequently.

If the laws in your state allows it, buy a handgun, learn how to use it, and keep it in a box with a cipherpad lock - not a key or combo lock. Expecting trouble some night? Keep the box nearby. Get a carry permit and carry it away from home.

Have an alarm with a panic response at your safe house. Do a grant proposal to see if they will comp it or subsidize it.

Become an ordained minster (I can help with that) and make your safe house a church so you can grant sanctuary. This will help when cops become your enemy instead of your ally - it will happen at times. They have their own agenda. Being a church will also help you with some costs.
Have a set of Clergy wear.

File with the IRS for a 501(c)3 non-profit status.

Get a tax resale number from your state comptroller.

Become a notary so you can witness affidavits and documents.

Hold fundraisers. Invite elected officials (Mayor, City Council, Senator, Rep, Judges, Justice of the Peace, Sheriff, Constable, Police Chief), richest people you know, richest people in town.

Make friends with your state Senator & Rep. Also with your US Senator and Congressperson. Ask them to point you toward grant sources.

If I think of more, I'll add it later. this was just off the top of my head.

Almost forgot. Do all shelter related banking at a different bank from the one you use. Do not allow the accounts to be linked or traced to each other. If/when you transfer funds, draw cash from one and take it to the other bank for deposit.

Have a lawyer on retainer. Get legal insurance if you can.

Triple locks and cross bar on every door of your safe house. Blackout curtains for night time. Make a safe room or a hidey hole.

Keep records!!!!!!!!!!! Log every refugee (with photos), every donation, every penny spent, goods or services granted or comped or subsidized. Use Quickbooks for you accounting software.

Have a video camera for depositions and evidence. Keep a file on every refugee you take in. Keep copies off site in safe storage.

The phone for your safe house needs a lock on it so that only your cell can be dialed. This will keep people form calling friends, abusers, drug connections, etc.