How to Start a Nonprofit by Aanya Mukherjee
- Inspiring Teens Magazine
- Jun 26
- 2 min read
How to Start a Nonprofit by Aanya Mukherjee
California
Photography by Amrita Dhar
Issue 103 of Inspiring Teens Magazine
Aanya Mukherjee - How to Start a Nonprofit
When I started my nonprofit, I thought the hardest part would be figuring out the paperwork or raising money. I was wrong. The hardest part was believing that, as a teenager, I was actually capable of creating change.
I founded Buy Yourself Flowers (BYF) after experiencing bullying and struggling with my own mental health. During that time, I noticed something that frustrated me: adults were constantly talking about teenagers, but rarely with them. I realized that the people most affected by mental health challenges were often missing from the conversation. That became my motivation to build something different.
If you're thinking about starting a nonprofit, my biggest piece of advice is this: don't wait until everything is perfect. I didn't have all the answers when I started BYF. I didn't have a large team, a detailed business plan, or years of experience. I simply had a mission that mattered deeply to me.
Start by identifying a problem you genuinely care about solving. The most meaningful organizations come from lived experiences because your passion will carry you through the inevitable setbacks. Once you have a mission, take one small step. That might be organizing a local event, creating educational resources, or reaching out to a nearby school or community organization. Small actions build momentum.
As BYF grew, I learned that no nonprofit succeeds alone. Some of the best opportunities I've had came from simply sending an email or asking someone to meet for coffee.
Teachers, business owners, mental health professionals, and community leaders were often far more willing to help than I expected. Don't be afraid to ask. The worst outcome is hearing "no," but one "yes" can completely change the direction of your organization.
I've also learned that success isn't measured by social media followers or fundraising totals. It's measured by the people whose lives you impact. Whether it's a student who tells you they finally felt understood, a parent who learned something new, or a school that adopts one of your ideas, those moments matter far more than any statistic.
Starting BYF has taught me that leadership isn't about being the oldest person in the room or having every answer. It's about listening, learning, and caring enough to keep showing up. As teenagers, we often underestimate the value of our perspectives, but our experiences are exactly what make our ideas powerful.
If there's a cause that keeps you awake at night, don't wait for someone else to solve it. You don't need permission to make a difference. Sometimes, all it takes is one person deciding to start.
Look for Aanya in issue 103 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!
* Each article is shared in the teen’s own words, so their authentic voice shines through.
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