Why or Why Not Start a Nonprofit
Sometimes, when I am working with smaller organizations and they are comparing themselves to bigger ones, I say, "Every nonprofit starts around a kitchen table by a person who was mad enough to make a change."
I have been a part of those organizations...I remember sitting in a living room of a fellow board member when I was on Stray Rescue of St. Louis' board in 1998 and we had $400 in the bank and $600 in vet bills. They are now (as of 2021 filings) a $4.9 million organization.
Starting a nonprofit is not for the faint of heart AND it can be done. If you are feeling called to start one, or up level the one you are already running, then this episode of The Influential Nonprofit is for you.
Rebecca Rodriguez is a nonprofit start-up expert. She is the Principal Consultant at For the Philanthropist and author of The Nonprofit Workbook: Tips & Best Practices for Start-ups Serving the Greater Common Good. Her clients include funders & grant recipients where she focuses on capacity building.
Key takeaways include why to NOT start a nonprofit, and what you need to do if you DO want to start one. She recommends before starting an organization, volunteer for at least a year to get experience in the sector and do research on existing organizations to reduce duplication.
“We're here on Earth for a divine purpose. We have to find our destiny and live that out. You know better than anyone what your purpose in life is, where your flow is, and you're on your way to meeting your destiny. And I've had to learn how to really embrace that and honor that.”
In case no one has told you yet today, you are awesome!
Maryanne
PS: Rebecca and 18 other experts, including ME, all contributed to the Effective Nonprofit Leaders Success Toolkit, a treasure trove of tools for your nonprofit success, new or established! Download your free resources today!