In the beginning you thought you would be delivering programs not knowing you were starting a business with a purpose. HR, governance, accounting, marketing, fundraising.  The nonprofit sector has established rules and regulations. When you make stuff up (MSU). It leads to self-funding. Learn the systems you need in order to help you grow the organization.

There are always more grants than there is money. Because Funders have to reject usually 80% of applications. They don't tell you what's wrong with your proposal. They look for red flags to help reduce the number of proposals they have to read. Learn the reasons why your proposal may not be getting reviewed.

Nonprofit does not mean no profit, but this myth is perpetuated when you don't take a salary. Nonprofits should make the same or MORE than for profit leaders. Say no to the nonprofit poverty cycle and start paying yourself first because it sends a message that your work is valuable. Shift
the mindset from "taking from the cause" to "sustaining your leader". Learn how to build your Salary into the budget and grant.

Every Executive Director should understand the role grants play in their funding strategy. Grants should be "a part" of your funding strategy, not the  entire strategy. They should make up 30% of your budget. Over reliance puts your org in jeopardy. Learn the danger and compliance issues with single- source dependency.  

You're doing the work,You've been around, you're credible, but money isn't flowing like it should. Your program isn't the problem, your positioning is. Why is positioning important? Funders use it make fast decisions. Nonprofits come from a founder's perspective . . . Shift to a Funder's perspective. Learn the language of Funding to help your funder see their ROI.

Today we bust the fundraising myth. No, you're NOT supposed to fund your organization. Not in the beginning not in the middle not ever. You just don't know what to do. Grants should only make up 30% of your budget. Of the top 8 funding sources, grants is #7—and why most founders are self-funding their organizations. Their  infrastructure is raggedy and they don't qualify.  Learn what the #1 source is and how to stop self-funding your nonprofit. 

Too many founders celebrate getting their 501(c)(3) like it's the finish line, but that IRS letter is just the beginning. At this stage, you're not qualified for a grant, but I'm going to share with you in this episode the four essentials that you need to make your nonprofit funder ready, legally compliant, and structurally sound.

A donor-advised fund (DAF) is a simple, tax-smart investment solution for charitable giving. Donors set up an online account and contribute cash, securities, or appreciated assets. Donors are eligible for a current-year tax deduction and can be more strategic about their giving decisions.

A key component of fundraising is understanding when money is available. Increase your odds of hitting your fundraising goals by understanding the budget cycle and how it impacts your ability to hit your funding targets.

A nonprofit is a business. And a part of running an effective business is leveraging the resources out there to help you manage cashflow. Learn why your nonprofit needs business credit and how to get it.