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Building a successful nonprofit is hard especially if you don’t have a roadmap. I know first hand from my days on a new nonprofit’s Board. I had nonprofit experience in larger organizations so I knew what one looked like from the inside but I saw so many things that needed to be done. I Googled “start a nonprofit” and got plenty of articles on the paperwork but after the 501(c)3, there wasn’t much help. So, I began researching the reasons nonprofits fail in the first year. I figured that was a problem to tackle so we weren’t just another statistic. And what came out of my research and talking to other Founders was my book, I Have My 501(c)3! Now What?!? As I talked more to Founders and mentored them, I found it wasn’t enough. That’s why I created the Build a Successful Nonprofit framework to help Founders put together the pieces that create a successful nonprofit- one that covers costs and builds infrastructure. This Framework governs everything I do in my business. There are three pillars to the framework. Topics discussed in this episode:  - Pillar 1: Infrastructure Pillar [00:01:25]  - Board [00:03:00]  - Strategic Plan [00:03:21]  - Tactical Plan and Budget [00:04:30] - Program Development [00:05:21] - Policies and Procedures [00:06:30] - Fundraising Foundations [00:07:08] - Pillar 2: Time Management Pillar [00:12:09]  - Pillar 3:Fundraising Basics Pillar [00:13:37] - Know Your Donors [00:14:30] - Know Your Strategy [00:15:19] - Know Your Plan [00:15:45]  - How the Framework Solves the Problems of Lack of Infrastructure and Lack of Funding [00:16:00]   Resources mentioned in this episode:  - Grant Ready Program Development Template [00:06:03] - Payment Processor- Givebox [00:08:03] - Email Service Provider- MailChimp (free up to 2,000 email addresses) [00:09:30] - Email Service Provider- MailerLite (free up to 1,000 email addresses) [00:09:30] - Email Service Provider- Constant Contact (free trial) [00:09:30] - Free Accounting Software- Wave App [00:10:05]  - Donor Database- Little Green Light (Deep Discount through TechSoup) [00:12:00] - A Founder's Guide to Building a Nonprofit Without Being the Sole Funder [00:17:38] Episode transcript: S2Ep1 Transcript You Might Like:  - Join The Nonprofit Founder’s Club™  - Download the free A Founder's Guide to Building a Nonprofit Without Being the Sole Funder - Join the email list that gives you more tips and information monthly -  Check out the Nonprofit Founder’s University where you can get courses to help you build your nonprofit.

This episode is a continuation of our Build a Successful Nonprofit Framework topic. We are going in-depth with the first pillar, Infrastructure. This pillar focuses on three areas with nine steps total- Management, Policies and Procedures, and Fundraising Foundations.  The 9 Steps were born after I tried Googling “Start a Nonprofit” and found tons of information on the actual steps to create a nonprofit but nothing about what happens once you have your 501(c)3. I hear that over and over from Founders too. There is a sentiment of, “Now what”. It was out of my frustration that I sat down and researched why new nonprofits fail in the first year. My research showed over and over that lack of infrastructure and lack of funding were the two main reasons nonprofits fail. So, I began asking what infrastructure builds funding? What needs to be in place to create a nonprofit that can easily find funding? The 9 steps were formulated. They are the foundations of the Infrastructure Pillar of the Build a Nonprofit Framework.    Topics discussed in this episode:  - Management [00:02:30] - Boards [00:02:43] - Strategic Plan [00:17:29] - Tactical Plan and Budget [00:19:50] - Program Development [00:21:20] - Policies and Procedures [00:23:00] - Management Policies and Procedures [00:23:00] - Policies and Procedures Necessary for the IRS Form 990 [00:23:35] - Fundraising Policies and Procedures [00:25:10] - Fundraising Foundations [00:26:30] - Website and Social Media [00:26:33] - Ideal Donor [00:28:00] - Fundraising Essentials [00:28:55]   Resources mentioned in this episode:  - Nonprofit Founder’s Club™  [00:17:53] - Nonprofit Founder’s Society [00:18:22] - Nonprofit Founder’s U Board Training [00:12:19] - Develop a Grant Ready Program [00:21:20]   Episode transcript: S2Ep2 Transcript   You Might Like:  - Join The Nonprofit Founder’s Club™  - Download the free A Founder's Guide to Building a Nonprofit Without Being the Sole Funder - Join the email list that gives you more tips and information monthly -  Check out the Nonprofit Founder’s University where you can get courses to help you build your nonprofit.

We are going in-depth with the Fundraising Basics leg of the Build a Successful Nonprofit Framework. It helps solve the problem of why nonprofits fail the first year- lack of infrastructure and lack of funding. The fundraising basics leg of the Build A Successful Nonprofit Framework gives you the fundamentals of fundraising. You're going to go from funding woes to bringing in consistent funding.   Topics discussed in this episode:  - The Fundraising Basics leg of the Build a Successful Nonprofit framework gives you the fundamentals of fundraising [00:01:30] - Fundraising Basics Pillar Has 3 smaller areas [00:02:02] - Know Your Donors [00:02:02] - Ideal Donor [00:02:15]  - Fundraising 101 [00:02:45]  - Know Your Strategy [00:05:30] - Know Your Numbers [00:05:46] - Find Your Strategy Mix [00:06:15] - Measure Your Strategy  [00:08:30] - Know Your Plan [00:09:00] - The Fundraising Pillar of the Build a Nonprofit Framework is designed to help you learn the basics of fundraising and help you think like a professional fundraiser leading to more funding dollars for your nonprofit. [00:10:30]   Resources mentioned in this episode:  - Fundraising Plan  [00:09:09] - Expand Your Donors By Defining Your Ideal Donor 5-Day Challenge in the Nonprofit Founder’s Club Facebook group [00:05:00] A Founder's Guide to Building a Nonprofit Without Being the Sole Funder [00:10:45]   Episode transcript: Transcript   Explore Further:  - Join The Nonprofit Founder’s Club™ free Facebook Group - Download the free A Founder's Guide to Building a Nonprofit Without Being the Sole Funder - Join the email list that gives you more tips and information monthly -  Check out the Nonprofit Founder’s University where you can get courses to help you build your nonprofit. - Want to get support to implement all the things? Join the Nonprofit Founder’s Society today.

I've been talking to nonprofit Founders for a few years now. They are eager to start their program and make a difference. And with good reason too. They know what the people they serve are going through and want to alleviate their suffering. Instead of taking the time to understand funding, they plow ahead and make some serious mistakes. We are talking about common fundraising mistakes when you are new and what to do instead.    Topics discussed in this episode:  - Misconception #1: Fundraising is a single activity. [00:01:45] - Mistake: In reality, treating your fundraising as a single activity leads to the mistake of trying to fundraise beyond your ability. [00:05:00] - Do This Instead [00:07:30] - Misconception #2: Building a donor list is too hard and time-consuming. [00:07:45] - Mistake: In reality, they don’t do the things that build a list. This creates a bigger problem down the road. [00:08:00] - Do This Instead [00:09:46] - Misconception #3: Hope Will Sustain Us [00:15:26] - Mistake: All of these characteristics lead to a common mistake: They don’t build the skills to think like a fundraiser. [00:18:15] - Do This Instead [00:19:16]   Episode transcript: Transcript   Explore Further:  - Join The Nonprofit Founder’s Club™ free Facebook Group - Download the free A Founder's Guide to Building a Nonprofit Without Being the Sole Funder - Join the email list that gives you more tips and information monthly -  Check out the Nonprofit Founder’s University where you can get courses to help you build your nonprofit. -  Want to get support to implement all the things? Join the Nonprofit Founder’s Society today.

I’ve spent over a decade in nonprofits and fundraising. There never seemed to be a rhyme or reason to fundraising. When do you do one strategy over another? Why do some organizations seem to execute some strategies with ease and some struggle? It wasn’t until I realized two things: The industry has the wrong terminology. Everything is labeled a strategy but Mirriam-Webster dictionary defines strategy as a careful plan or method for achieving a particular goal usually over a long period of time. It’s a high-level plan or method.  An activity is work that is done for a particular purpose. Individual fundraising activities are the work that is done for the purpose of raising money for a larger purpose of raising the money as part of a larger plan. The industry calls each individual fundraiser a strategy. That just isn’t true. There is a structure to fundraising. When you build your fundraising in a sustainable way, you build it in a particular way. It was at this point that the hierarchy began to take shape. Topics discussed in this episode:  - What is the Fundraising Strategy Hierarchy [00:02:00] - Why do we need to follow the Fundraising Strategy Hierarchy? [00:02:33] - What are the levels and steps to the Fundraising Strategy Hierarchy?  - Step 1: Individual Donors [00:04:15] -Step 2: Companies, Churches, and Denominations [00:08:30] -Step 3: Grants and Federated Funds [00:09:04] -Step 4: Fees for Services, Sales of Products, Earned Income [00:13:15] -Step 5: Supporting Organization [00:14:30]   Episode transcript: S2Ep5 Transcript   Explore Further:  - Join The Nonprofit Founder’s Club™ free Facebook Group - Download the free A Founder's Guide to Building a Nonprofit Without Being the Sole Funder - Join the email list that gives you more tips and information monthly -  Check out the Nonprofit Founder’s University where you can get courses to help you build your nonprofit. -  Want to get support to implement all the things? Join the Nonprofit Founder’s Society today.  

We have a different type of episode today. I’m interviewing Shakira Releford as the Founder/Executive Director of Connecting Youth Achievement Center.  We are talking about challenges she has faced and is facing as a Founder. Join us as Shakira shares her experiences of being a Founder from start to building.    About Shakira Releford: Shakira is the Executive Director of Connecting Youth Achievement Center, a nonprofit that provides behavior management services and social and emotional support for minority youth experiencing various health disparities. Shakira is also the host of two podcasts, Nonprofit UNPLUGGED and Boss Buildrs (both on all directories). She is committed to inspiring others to live their lives with purpose, on purpose, and has a passion for seeing others succeed in life.   Topics discussed in this episode:  - Shakira’s Nonprofit Founder’s Journey [timestamp] - It wasn’t an overnight journey [08:55] - Challenges Shakira faced as a Founder  [09:59] - Challenges Shakira still faces as a Founder  [15:55] - Shakira’s productivity tip   [26:19] - Shakira’s thoughts on competition   [27:51] - Shakira’s Life Purpose and her thoughts on that  [31:21   Episode transcript: Transcript of the episode’s audio.   Go Deeper:   - Shakira’s Podcast Nonprofit UNPLUGGED (podcast) - Shakira’s Free Workbook www.nonprofitunplugged.com/workbook - Join The Nonprofit Founder’s Club™ free Facebook Group - Download the free A Founder's Guide to Building a Nonprofit Without Being the Sole Funder - Join the email list that gives you more tips and information monthly -  Check out the Nonprofit Founder’s University where you can get courses to help you build your nonprofit. -  Want to get support to implement all the things? Join the Nonprofit Founder’s Society today.

We are starting a series on Social Media and Nonprofits. I want us to explore what role social media plays in nonprofit work through strategy, how to use it efficiently and effectively through the Donor Journey, how to set your social media up for success through The Social Media Worksheet, and what mistakes to avoid with your social accounts.    A New Nonprofit's Social Media Strategy to Gain Funding It's no secret that social media is a powerful tool. Whether you're a for-profit business or a nonprofit, social media can help you reach your goals. For nonprofits, social media can help with fundraising, donor relations, organizational branding, and more. But it's not as simple as setting up accounts and posting away. You need a strategy if you want to make the most of social media for your nonprofit. In this article, we'll discuss the basics of nonprofit social media strategy and give you some tips for getting started.   Topics discussed in this episode:  - Start with Strategy [00:02:00] - Purpose and Goals [00:03:00] - What Are Your Strategic Reasons? [00:06:00] - Where does this platform fit into your funnel? [00:07:30] - Determine your platform. [00:12:15]   Episode transcript  Explore Further:  - Join The Nonprofit Founder’s Club™ free Facebook Group - Download the free A Founder's Guide to Building a Nonprofit Without Being the Sole Funder - Join the email list that gives you more tips and information monthly -  Check out the Nonprofit Founder’s University where you can get courses to help you build your nonprofit. -  Want to get support to implement all the things? Join the Nonprofit Founder’s Society today.

Today’s bonus episode is all about email marketing for the nonprofit. Bobby Klinck is an email marketing expert who goes through why email marketing is important to nonprofits and the different emails a nonprofit organization needs. We talk about how email can strengthen relationships and turn your list into donors and advocates.  Bobby also talks about his new book Email Marketing that Doesn’t Suck and his special offer to us if we buy his Kindle Edition for .$99 this week only! He is also holding a Live Virtual Event FOR FREE if you buy his book the week of May 3rd. And you will get a seat at my table so we can get your emails written. (Note: Did you miss out on this deal? Subscribe to the podcast so you won't miss out again.) About Bobby Klinck Bobby is a Harvard Law Grad turned entrepreneur who built a thriving multiple six-figure business selling the most boring thing ever (legal templates) primarily through email. In the process, his emails have built a cult following because they're actually fun to read. Bobby is my business coach (yes, even I need a coach and mentor) and I have asked him on today to share his insights to email and how the nonprofit can use it.    Topics discussed in this episode:  - Bobby’s Journey from Boring Lawyer to Rebel Online Entrepreneur [00:03:11] - Importance of a Company’s Brand Presence [00:12:00] - How Founders Start as the Brand Voice [00:13:14] - The Purpose of Email Marketing [00:14:43] - How to Approach Email [00:18:53] - Using Email Marketing to Build Relationships [00:20:15] - Making People Ambassadors [00:26:20] - How Bobby’s Email Methodology Comes from Principles of Marketing, Psychology and  Messaging [00:27:49] - The Email Jouney Your Donors Travel [00:30:30] - The Structure of Your First Email  [00:31:40] - The Welcome Sequence  [00:35:10] - Your Regular Emails  [00:37:37] - Fundraising Emails  [00:39:25] - Email Newsletters  [00:31:40] - Bobby’s Special Offer to You  [00:54:37] - The Free Email Event and Offer Just for You [00:57:11]   Episode transcript    Explore Further:  - Join The Nonprofit Founder’s Club™ free Facebook Group - Download the free A Founder's Guide to Building a Nonprofit Without Being the Sole Funder - Join the email list that gives you more tips and information monthly -  Check out the Nonprofit Founder’s University where you can get courses to help you build your nonprofit. -  Want to get support to implement all the things? Join the Nonprofit Founder’s Society today. Bobby’s Links www.bobbyklinck.com www.bobbyklinck.com/bomu Email Marketing That Doesn’t Suck  

Having everything in place that grants ask for is over half the battle. This means knowing who your organization is, who you serve and how you provide services. You've probably heard the term grant ready before, but what is it? And more importantly, how do you become grant ready?   Topics discussed in this episode:  - What is Grant Ready? [00:00:28] - The Four Areas An Organization Needs To Focus On To Be Grant Ready. [00:01:00] - When Grants Aren't The Answer. [00:14:10] - Grants Can Be A Very Good Thing For Your Nonprofit. [00:22:14]   Resources mentioned in this episode:  - Mission, Vision, Values Training [00:01:26] https://mathisnps.heightsplatform.com/courses/mission-vision-and-values - Fundraising Plan  [00:07:00] https://www.nonprofitfounders.club/first-year-fundraising-plan/ - Develop a Grant-Ready Program (and a Free Worksheet) [00:10:00] https://www.nonprofitfounders.club/develop-a-grant-ready-program-and-a-free-worksheet/ - I Have My 501(c)3! Now What?!? Your Blueprint to Starting Your Nonprofit Without Being the Sole Funder (book) [00:10:01] https://amzn.to/2QG73hN - A Comprehensive Grant Process Readiness Checklist [00:12:20] https://www.nonprofitfounders.club/grantchecklist Episode transcript: Episode #1 Transcript   Want to Explore More? - Join the Facebook Group, The Nonprofit Founder’s Club https://www.facebook.com/groups/npofoundersclub/ - Join Nonprofit Founder’s University for training on different aspects of building a nonprofit. https://www.nonprofitfounders.club/FoundersU - Check out the website www.nonprofitfounders.club - Sign up for either the Monthly Meeting Notes https://www.nonprofitfounders.club/meetingnotes - Or the Weekly Meeting Notes https://www.nonprofitfounders.club/WeeklyEmail - Check out What Is... ? YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDWeK2lOBX9YR0ygIJgwAlw    

Episode title: Grants are Part of a Fundraising Strategy. Not THE Strategy.   Episode summary introduction: Having the single strategy of getting grants is a bad strategy and it will not keep you going long-term even if you do get a grant in the first few years. Let's talk about.   Topics discussed in this episode:  - Find out what the Fundraising Strategy Hierarchy is and where grants fit [00:02:28] - Why grants are part of a greater strategy [00:04:43] - Why being grant ready is your best strategy to start [00:07:31]    Resources mentioned in this episode: Bullet point list of links to external resources mentioned throughout the episode. Include timestamps when each article is introduced. - Fundraising Plan [00:06:55] - Grant Readiness Plan  [00:07:31]   Episode transcript: Transcript of the episode’s audio.   - Join the Nonprofit Founder’s Club Facebook group

Episode summary:  I find when Founders have misconceptions about nonprofits and grant writing, they make some serious mistakes. When I was writing grants, these were the mistakes Founders made and the misconceptions that led to those mistakes. Understanding these misconceptions is the first step in not making the same mistakes.   Topics discussed in this episode:  Misconceptions Founders Have - Grants will Fund us [00:01:59] - leads to the mistake of chasing grants that you won't qualify for. [00:02:24] - Instead, Founders would serve their nonprofit better if they ask, “how do we become grant ready by doing this”? [00:02:52] - Grants are a One and Done Activity [00:03:27] - Grants are a process  [00:03:50] - Founders can avoid the mistake by asking, “ how do we set up the grant process?” [00:04:26] - Grants are Free Money [00:05:09] - The free money myth leads to Founders putting all their hopes in grants and ignoring the costs at the expense of the organization. [00:05:32] - There is such a thing as opportunity cost in business. [00:06:31] - Sometimes you must ask yourself, “ Is what I may gain from this option worth the sacrifice of the gain from this other option?” [00:07:27]    Resources mentioned in this episode:  - Nonprofit Founder’s Club Facebook group [00:00:00]   Episode transcript:  Ep_ 3 Three Grant Misconceptions Founders Have Podcast Transcript.pdf   Calls-to-action:  Join the Nonprofit Founder’s Club Facebook group  

Episode summary and introduction: My philosophy and everything I do with founders is that I look at everything through donor and funder perspective. So everything I design has the non-profit in mind, but approaches the task from donor and funder perspectives. In this episode, I'm looking at the details of being grant ready from the funder's perspective.  Grants should be part of a fundraising plan. So looking at this from a Foundation standpoint, they want to know you are a good investment. They see you as an investment. And so. When grants are part of a fundraising plan, you are showing them that you've thought this through and you are going to be a good steward of their money. Funders want to know that they made the right investment. So, what makes your organization a good investment? Let's jump in.   Topics discussed in this episode:  - Organizational Resources Needed [00:02:20] - Operational Resources Needed [00:15:30]  - Financial Resources Needed [00:16:00] - Program Resources Needed [00:20:35]   Resources mentioned in this episode:  - Fundraising Plan    - Develop a Grant-Ready Program (and a Free Worksheet)   - A Comprehensive Grant Process Readiness Checklist   Episode transcript: Ep 4: How Do We Become Grant Ready? Podcast Transcript    Calls-to-action:  - Nonprofit Founder’s Club Facebook group