how to start a nonprofit

Special guest Jerry Diaz, CFRE, founder, and CEO of Geronimo Consulting, brings to light the substantial value that nonprofit consultants can bring to organizations, underscoring the importance of viewing them as strategic partners in advancing the mission. He begins by affirming, “Working with consultants is an investment, not an expense. They bring in expertise that you may not have on your team or not be able to afford somebody. So when you choose them, choose them wisely.” The discussion revolves around various facets of nonprofit consulting, including the significance of being a proactive and cooperative client when collaborating with consultants. Jerry emphasizes that consultants operate across a broad spectrum of areas within nonprofits, such as fund development, organizational development, board engagement, program and data management. They provide a fresh perspective and invaluable insights that can prove highly cost-effective for organizations. The conversation also touches on the changing landscape of nonprofit consulting. Funders are increasingly open to supporting transitional projects and initiatives, recognizing the pivotal role consultants can play during times of change. Consultants can help organizations navigate transitions resulting from leadership changes, periods of growth, or strategic shifts. Furthermore, the dialogue explores the essential role of consultants in project management. Consultants, with their wealth of experience and an array of tools at their disposal, are well-equipped to oversee specific projects efficiently. They can assist organizations in successfully managing projects, even if those projects lie outside the organization’s typical purview.You can also listen to the show on your favorite podcast channel. Additionally, the American Nonprofit Academy provides news, inspiration, and training for the nonprofit and social impact community.#fundraising #nonprofit #socialimpact

Starting or growing a nonprofit and wondering what pitfalls to avoid as you grow? #startinganonprofit #nonprofits #nonprofit In this video I talk through some things I wish I’d done differently as my nonprofit organization was growing and building momentum.***CHECK OUT ARGENTA – all-encompassing software solution for Nonprofits***https://argentasoftware.com/landing// WHAT TO WATCH NEXT Can Nonprofits charge for their services? | Fundraising Strategyhttps://youtu.be/kyi6XtWhR0ECreating a Nonprofit Budget: 7 Common Questions | Starting a Nonprofithttps://youtu.be/yd0ia7glMWENonprofit Fundraising: 7 Traits of Top Fundraising Campaignshttps://youtu.be/xGxy0byoY0E// CHAPTERS00:00 Welcome!02:36 Change Management08:42 Board and Staff Dynamics13:53 Technology18:49 Argenta20:59 Marketing23:54 True Costs// MORE ABOUT ME Hi! I’m Amber, a nonprofit founder, Executive Director, and public speaker on social impact, changemaking, nonprofits, leadership, and more. Join my newsletter to receive updates and resources for changemakers and nonprofit leaders: https://tinyurl.com/nonprofitsandchangemakers FOUNDER TO FULL-TIME ACADEMY: Want some training and guidance on starting a nonprofit (and potentially even working for that nonprofit full-time someday?)? Check out my online training courses at my Nonprofit Founder to Full-Time Academy! http://foundertofulltime.com/ Want me to come speak at your business, college, or event? Check out my site: https://ambermelaniesmith.com/ On Facebook? Talk to me and other change makers about social change, nonprofits, social enterprise, leadership and more in my Facebook group, Change the World or Bust: https://www.facebook.com/groups/changetheworldorbust/ I’m also on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ambermelsmith

In this lively Q&A session on the “Nonprofit Show,” host Jarrett Ransom welcomed questions from viewers and was later joined by Muhi Khwaja, a trainer at Fundraising Academy. The first question, sent in anonymously from Nashville, TN, concerned the pressure faced by a nonprofit’s Development Director due to board expectations. Jarrett advised setting boundaries between the board and the Development Director and ensuring that the board understands the director’s role and responsibilities. She also suggested aligning the board’s suggestions with the organization’s strategic plan. Moving on to the second question, the topic shifted to branding. . . . . .how to find an advertising agency or marketing firm willing to work pro bono. Jarrett cautioned that while pro bono work might be available, it’s essential to budget for branding. She recommended looking for community events or co-working spaces that offer pro bono services and emphasized the importance of a well-thought-out branding strategy. The third question came from a viewer in Dayton, OH, who wanted to know the best person to serve as a board liaison for a nonprofit. Muhi Khwaja joined the discussion at this point and shared that the executive assistant to the CEO or executive director often serves as a board liaison. They help manage board schedules and communication. Alternatively, a third-party person can be hired for this role. Muhi emphasized the importance of board liaisons in improving board coordination. The conversation then delved into the concept of LYBUNT and SLYBUNT reports. Muhi explained that these reports help identify donors who haven’t given in the current year, making them valuable targets for retention efforts. Jarrett and Muhi discussed the importance of monitoring these reports and leveraging board members to connect with lapsed donors.You can also listen to the show on your favorite podcast channel. Additionally, the American Nonprofit Academy provides news, inspiration, and training for the nonprofit and social impact community.#fundraising #nonprofit #socialimpact

Interested in gettnig 501c3 status for your nonprofit? Are you thinking about starting a nonprofit and know you want to obtain 501c3 tax exempt status? This video will you learn more about it and the 5 surprising facts about the status. You must watch this if you looking to start your own nonprofit. Here’s teh breakdown: 00:00 Introduction01:55 Fundraising05:06 Different types of tax-exempt statuses07:17 Losing your status10:35 Different types of 501c3s11:39 It’s not the end all be all!Join my channel to get access to get special perks like coupon codes:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJWN9-_-PO_bmTD3o_B0RKw/joinThe information provided in this video is for informational purposes only and is not meant to take the place of professional legal, accounting, or financial advice. If you have any legal questions about this video or the video’s topic, or any other legal matter, consult with an attorney or tax professional in your area.If you need help forming your nonprofit idea, The Before You Start Workbook/Nonprofit Business Bundle is here: https://rebrand.ly/nonprofitbundle★☆★To set up your nonprofit, download my free checklist: https://rebrand.ly/npchecklist★☆★★☆★For step-by-step guidance on starting a nonprofit, check out my nonprofit startup workbook:https://rebrand.ly/npstartupworkbook★☆★★☆★ Subscribe to my Channel: ★☆★https://bit.ly/38xUFru★☆★ VISIT MY WEBSITE ★☆★https://www.bossonabudget.com★☆★ VISIT MY GRANT WRITING SUPPORT GROUP ON FACEBOOK ★☆★https://www.facebook.com/groups/grantwritingsupport/★☆★ READ MY BLOG ★☆★https://www.bossonabudget.com/blog-1★☆★ FREE RESOURCES FOR YOUR NONPROFIT ★☆★https://www.bossonabudget.com/freeresources

Starting a nonprofit and have some questions about your nonprofit budget? Let’s tackle 7 questions about nonprofit budgets. #nonprofits #fundraising #startinganonprofit When you’re starting or growing a nonprofit, your budget is a roadmap for how you’ll fund and spend money to achieve your mission. I hope this helps!FOUNDER TO FULL-TIME: Check out my trainings and blog on starting a nonprofit or social enterprise at http://foundertofulltime.com/ // WHAT TO WATCH NEXT Can Nonprofits charge for their services? | Fundraising Strategyhttps://youtu.be/kyi6XtWhR0EStarting a Nonprofit: Your Basic Compliance Checklist!https://youtu.be/28_vAxobgtoStarting a Nonprofit: How to Create a Budget (For Beginners)https://youtu.be/5Wv0I_SLpkw// CHAPTERS00:00 Welcome!01:17 Recap: What is a budget?01:52 When should you create your nonprofit budget?04:27 How much of the budget should be for salaries?06:09 How much do you include for expenses?08:58 What percent should be spent on what?12:32 What category do salaries fall in?13:30 How big are most nonprofit’s budgets?14:27 What are common budgeting mistakes?// MORE ABOUT ME Hi! I’m Amber, a nonprofit founder, Executive Director, and public speaker on social impact, changemaking, nonprofits, leadership, and more. Join my newsletter to receive updates and resources for changemakers and nonprofit leaders: https://tinyurl.com/nonprofitsandchangemakers FOUNDER TO FULL-TIME ACADEMY: Want some training and guidance on starting a nonprofit (and potentially even working for that nonprofit full-time someday?)? Check out my online training courses at my Nonprofit Founder to Full-Time Academy! http://foundertofulltime.com/ Want me to come speak at your business, college, school, or event? Check out my site: https://ambermelaniesmith.com/ On Facebook? Talk to me and other change makers about social change, nonprofits, social enterprise, leadership and more in my Facebook group, Change the World or Bust: https://www.facebook.com/groups/changetheworldorbust/ I’m also on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ambermelsmith

Special guest Katie Gaston, the Senior Product Marketing Manager at Bloomerang.com, leads a dynamic discussion focused on generational giving and engaging with younger donors. Katie begins by emphasizing the importance of understanding who your donors are and how to create a more personalized and contextual communication strategy. She discusses the rise of contactless payments and the need for nonprofits to integrate tools like tap-to-pay and QR codes to cater to the preferences of younger donors who are accustomed to digital transactions. Katie stated, “In fact, in Bloomerang, we actually have tools to support the process of surveying and asking for feedback.” Katie continues by highlighting the significance of mobile-friendly and digital communication. With over 50% of website traffic coming from mobile devices, nonprofits need to ensure that their websites and donation processes are optimized for mobile users. She points out text-to-donate options and other mobile-friendly tools to make giving more convenient. In terms of engaging younger donors, Katie suggested expanding fundraising strategies beyond traditional galas and considering activities like fun runs, farmers markets, and peer-to-peer fundraising. These lower-barrier entry events not only raise money but also increase awareness of the organization, which can lead to future support. As Katie put it, “Sometimes just having people show up and a larger audience because that barrier to entry is lower is really meaningful, because if more people know about your organization, even if they’re not ready to give now, they may give to you in the future.” As for future trends, Katie elaborates on the potential role of AI, automation, and ChatGPT in helping nonprofits establish more human-like relationships with donors at scale. She advises nonprofits to first build a strong and sustainable communication strategy and then be prepared to leverage new tools as they become available to enhance donor engagement. More about Bloomerang.comYou can also listen to the show on your favorite podcast channel. Additionally, the American Nonprofit Academy provides news, inspiration, and training for the nonprofit and social impact community.#fundraising #nonprofit #socialimpact

What is 501c3 status? How is it different from being a nonprofit? In this video, I’m sharing more information about 501c3 status and 3 benefits of having this status as a nonprofit organization. Here’s the breakdown: 00:00 Introduction06:10 benefits of 501c3 status06:22 – to obtain grants08:13 – donor write-offs01:08 – credibilityJoin my channel to get access to get special perks like coupon codes:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJWN9-_-PO_bmTD3o_B0RKw/joinThe information provided in this video is for informational purposes only and is not meant to take the place of professional legal, accounting, or financial advice. If you have any legal questions about this video or the video’s topic, or any other legal matter, consult with an attorney or tax professional in your area.If you need help forming your nonprofit idea, The Before You Start Workbook/Nonprofit Business Bundle is here: https://rebrand.ly/nonprofitbundle★☆★To set up your nonprofit, download my free checklist: https://rebrand.ly/npchecklist★☆★★☆★For step-by-step guidance on starting a nonprofit, check out my nonprofit startup workbook:https://rebrand.ly/npstartupworkbook★☆★★☆★ Subscribe to my Channel: ★☆★https://bit.ly/38xUFru★☆★ VISIT MY WEBSITE ★☆★https://www.bossonabudget.com★☆★ VISIT MY GRANT WRITING SUPPORT GROUP ON FACEBOOK ★☆★https://www.facebook.com/groups/grantwritingsupport/★☆★ READ MY BLOG ★☆★https://www.bossonabudget.com/blog-1★☆★ FREE RESOURCES FOR YOUR NONPROFIT ★☆★https://www.bossonabudget.com/freeresources

In this educational episode, Beth Farley, CPA and partner at Eide Bailly, joins host Jarrett Ransom for day four of Nonprofit Power Week. The focus of the episode is “Back to Basics,” and Beth’s insights into documenting best practices are invaluable. Beth discusses the importance of clear and organized documentation, emphasizing the need for consistency and accessibility. She recommends creating a table of contents (TOC) to help organize documents, ensuring that essential information is easily accessible to everyone involved. Beth stresses that documentation should adapt and evolve as an organization grows and changes. The conversation also touches on the role of automation in documentation and how it can streamline processes and save time. Beth highlights the significance of board involvement in reviewing documentation strategies, as well as the naming conventions for files and folders to maintain consistency. Beth encourages nonprofits to start organizing their documentation systematically, even if it seems overwhelming at first. She suggests creating folders by fiscal year, designating a permanent file for essential documents, and gradually building a robust documentation system. The Power Week episode serves as a reminder that while documenting may seem basic, it is a crucial practice that can help nonprofits operate more efficiently, reduce risks, and adapt to their evolving needs.You can also listen to the show on your favorite podcast channel. Additionally, the American Nonprofit Academy provides news, inspiration, and training for the nonprofit and social impact community.#fundraising #nonprofit #socialimpact

It’s day two of the Nonprofit Power Week series, and Beth Farley, a CPA and partner at Eide Bailly, discusses the critical roles documentation plays in ensuring accuracy, compliance, and transparency within nonprofit organizations. She highlights the need for clear policies and procedures that cover financial and non-financial aspects of operations. One key quote from Beth during the discussion is, “If it’s not documented, it did not happen.” She emphasizes the importance of documenting key information such as client numbers, financial data, and procedures. Beth also discusses the three C’s of documentation: concise, correct, and current. Beth and the hosts jump into topics like the timing of documentation updates, the involvement of various team members in the process, and how documentation can help mitigate fraud risks. They also touch upon the need for consistency and accessibility in documentation practices. Beth suggests starting with the riskiest areas and gradually documenting processes, making it a priority even if resources are limited. The conversation concludes with the idea that documentation should also play a role in performance reviews to ensure accountability and clarity of roles within the organization.You can also listen to the show on your favorite podcast channel. Additionally, the American Nonprofit Academy provides news, inspiration, and training for the nonprofit and social impact community.#fundraising #nonprofit #socialimpact

Host Julia Patrick welcomes Muhi Khwaja, one of the trainers at the Fundraising Academy at National University and Co-founder of the American Muslim Community Foundation (AMCF), and he provides insights on board treasurer selection, post-event practices, board onboarding, and board recruitment. They begin by discussing the importance of finding the right treasurer for a nonprofit board. Muhi emphasizes the need to look for candidates with experience in nonprofit finance, compliance, and audit procedures. He suggests checking if potential treasurers have filed Form 990s, worked with nonprofits before, and have a CPA background. Next, they address best practices for post-event activities, particularly after a gala. Muhi highlights the significance of stewardship in the donor cycle. He recommends sending personalized thank-you notes or emails to event attendees and donors, conducting surveys to gather feedback, and promptly following up with attendees and potential donors to build meaningful relationships. Muhi also shares insights into onboarding new board members. He emphasizes the importance of a structured orientation process and discusses AMCF’s practice of having annual meetings and strategic planning sessions to reinforce board members’ roles and responsibilities. Julia and Muhi then explore a unique question about whether the CEO or Executive Director of a nonprofit should have a vote on the board, agreeing that it’s generally not advisable for the CEO to have voting power on the board to maintain a clear separation of powers and avoid potential conflicts of interest. The conversation shifts to AMCF’s current board recruitment efforts. Muhi explains that they are actively seeking board members with specific skill sets, such as marketing, philanthropy, and web development, to contribute to the organization’s growth. They also use a mentor-mentee approach to help new board members adapt to their roles. Lastly, Muhi discusses AMCF’s upcoming event, the Muslim Philanthropy Awards and Annual Symposium. Scheduled for November 18th, 2023, the event celebrates Muslim-led organizations and explores the topic of endowments in philanthropy.You can also listen to the show on your favorite podcast channel. Additionally, the American Nonprofit Academy provides news, inspiration, and training for the nonprofit and social impact community.#fundraising #nonprofit #socialimpact

There are many different reasons people decide to start a nonprofit. Some are personal, some are related to money, or there may be other reasons. In this video, I’m sharing my opinion about why you should start a nonprofit which may help you determine if it’s really for you. Nonprofits can be utilized to achieve certain outcomes but make sure you’re clear that YOUR mission and desires align with what’s possible with a nonprofit. I’m sharing my thoughts about when you should move forward with creating a nonprofit organization. Here’s the breakdown: 00:00 Introduction01:58 – Filling Gaps07:42 – Accessing Resources10:38 – Community Legacy Join my channel to get access to get special perks like coupon codes:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJWN9-_-PO_bmTD3o_B0RKw/joinThe information provided in this video is for informational purposes only and is not meant to take the place of professional legal, accounting, or financial advice. If you have any legal questions about this video or the video’s topic, or any other legal matter, consult with an attorney or tax professional in your area.If you need help forming your nonprofit idea, The Before You Start Workbook/Nonprofit Business Bundle is here: https://rebrand.ly/nonprofitbundle★☆★To set up your nonprofit, download my free checklist: https://rebrand.ly/npchecklist★☆★★☆★For step-by-step guidance on starting a nonprofit, check out my nonprofit startup workbook:https://rebrand.ly/npstartupworkbook★☆★★☆★ Subscribe to my Channel: ★☆★https://bit.ly/38xUFru★☆★ VISIT MY WEBSITE ★☆★https://www.bossonabudget.com★☆★ VISIT MY GRANT WRITING SUPPORT GROUP ON FACEBOOK ★☆★https://www.facebook.com/groups/grantwritingsupport/★☆★ READ MY BLOG ★☆★https://www.bossonabudget.com/blog-1★☆★ FREE RESOURCES FOR YOUR NONPROFIT ★☆★https://www.bossonabudget.com/freeresources

In a jubilant celebration of their 900th episode, co-hosts Jarrett Ransom and Julia Patrick reflect on their journey through “The Nonprofit Show.” With gratitude to their partners and viewers, they reminisce about the show’s evolution from its early days and discuss important lessons learned along the way. Jarrett and Julia emphasize the misconception that nonprofits aren’t nimble and cannot work remotely. They debunk this myth, highlighting the adaptability and success of organizations that have embraced remote work and technology. They express their surprise at the emotional impact of guests’ stories, revealing that even seasoned nonprofit professionals like themselves can be deeply moved by the passion and dedication of those in the sector. In looking forward, the dynamic duo co-hosts predict that in five years, the nonprofit sector will shed the overhead myth and become more collaborative, with funders easing restrictions on grant applications. They also foresee changes in donor-advised funds and acknowledge the importance of addressing these shifts. Jarrett and Julia express their commitment to the nonprofit sector and its continued evolution. They are grateful for their partners and viewers, vowing to keep sharing knowledge and insights to support the sector’s growth.You can also listen to the show on your favorite podcast channel. Additionally, the American Nonprofit Academy provides news, inspiration, and training for the nonprofit and social impact community.#fundraising #nonprofit #socialimpact