In this insightful episode, Tim Needham and Mary Valloni explore the importance of having a business plan for your nonprofit. They clarify misconceptions about business plans, differentiate them from strategic plans, and share practical advice for crafting a plan that sets your nonprofit up for success.

We'll discuss:

• What is a Nonprofit Business Plan?
• Business Plan vs. Strategic Plan
• The Power of Clarity
• Practical Steps for Drafting Your Plan

To register for our upcoming free webinar on May 8th, 2025 at 1:00 PM CT, visit our registration page.

To visit and join the Start & Grow Your Nonprofit private Facebook group, visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/startandgrowyournonprofit.

Have a question for our coaches? Visit our podcast page.

For more information about Nonprofit Academy and to download our free resources, visit http://startandgrowyournonprofit.com/.

To contact Tim, email [email protected].

To contact Mary, email [email protected].

In this heartfelt episode, coaches Tim Needham and Mary Valloni sit down with Emily Needham to discuss a challenge many nonprofit leaders face: what to do when your spouse doesn’t share your nonprofit calling.

Emily shares her journey of supporting Tim’s mission at Restoration House STL, balancing her own passions, and embracing her role outside the nonprofit. Together, they unpack the dynamics of spousal support and offer practical advice for navigating this often-complex aspect of nonprofit leadership.

We'll discuss:

• Finding ways to support each other while pursuing separate purposes
• Lessons learned from balancing family, work, and mission
• Being a safe space for your spouse during nonprofit highs and lows
• Communication strategies to align on shared goals and expectations

To register for our upcoming free webinar on May 8th, 2025 at 1:00 PM CT, visit our registration page.

To visit and join the Start & Grow Your Nonprofit private Facebook group, visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/startandgrowyournonprofit.

Have a question for our coaches? Visit our podcast page.

For more information about Nonprofit Academy and to download our free resources, visit http://startandgrowyournonprofit.com/.

To contact Tim, email [email protected].

To contact Mary, email [email protected].

Hosted by nonprofit coaches Tim Needham and Mary Valloni, this episode tackles one of the most emotionally charged questions for nonprofit entrepreneurs: Can you take a salary from your nonprofit? Tim and Mary break down the misconceptions, fears, and practical realities of compensating yourself while leading a mission-driven organization.

We'll discuss:

• The emotional challenges of taking a salary in a nonprofit
• Why nonprofit leaders should feel comfortable being compensated
• Strategies for determining appropriate compensation
• Addressing guilt and misconceptions about nonprofit salaries
• The importance of financial sustainability for nonprofit leaders

Mark your calendars for our upcoming free webinar on May 8th, 2025 at 1:00 PM CT.

To visit and join the Start & Grow Your Nonprofit private Facebook group, visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/startandgrowyournonprofit.

Have a question for our coaches? Visit our podcast page.

For more information about Nonprofit Academy and to download our free resources, visit http://startandgrowyournonprofit.com/.

To contact Tim, email [email protected].

To contact Mary, email [email protected].

Hosted by nonprofit coaches Tim Needham and Mary Valloni, each episode of the Start and Grow Your Nonprofit Podcast is designed to bring together nonprofit entrepreneurs who have successfully built impactful organizations from the ground up. Join us as we dive into their journeys, share their insights, and learn how to start and grow a strong, sustainable nonprofit that transforms lives, communities, and the world.

In this inspiring episode, Jerry Harris, an experienced nonprofit leader and advocate for community collaboration, shares his insights on fostering partnerships that drive meaningful change. Jerry reflects on his journey of over 40 years in ministry and nonprofit leadership, including the challenges of nonprofit leadership and the strategies he’s used to build bridges between organizations, donors, and communities.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow your nonprofit’s impact, Jerry’s wisdom will inspire and equip you to lead with purpose and build strong, lasting connections.

We'll discuss:

• Building Trust Through Action
• Vision and Calling
• Leadership Lessons
• Practical Advice for Starting Nonprofits
• Maintaining Momentum

For more information about Reach Network, visit their website.

For more information about Bridge House Ministries, visit their website.

To visit and join the Start & Grow Your Nonprofit private Facebook group, visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/startandgrowyournonprofit.

Have a question for our coaches? Visit our podcast page.

For more information about Nonprofit Academy, visit http://startandgrowyournonprofit.com/.

To contact Tim, email [email protected].

To contact Mary, email [email protected].

Hosted by nonprofit coaches Tim Needham and Mary Valloni, each episode of the Start and Grow Your Nonprofit Podcast is designed to bring together nonprofit entrepreneurs who have successfully built impactful organizations from the ground up. Join us as we dive into their journeys, share their insights, and learn how to start and grow a strong, sustainable nonprofit that transforms lives, communities, and the world.

In this episode, our coaches discuss one of the most overlooked yet critical aspects of nonprofit success: knowing your numbers. Whether it’s your program metrics, financial data, or impact statistics, understanding and confidently communicating your numbers can transform how donors, volunteers, and partners perceive your organization.

Tim and Mary share personal stories, practical tips, and expert insights to help nonprofit leaders like you master this essential skill and unlock new levels of growth and trust for your mission.

We'll discuss:

• Why Numbers Matter
• Essential Numbers to Track
• Communicating Your Numbers
• The Impact of Numbers on Decision-Making
• Steps to Start Tracking Numbers Today

To visit and join the Start & Grow Your Nonprofit private Facebook group, visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/startandgrowyournonprofit.

Have a question for our coaches? Visit our podcast page.

For more information about Nonprofit Academy, visit http://startandgrowyournonprofit.com/.

To contact Tim, email [email protected].

To contact Mary, email [email protected].

Hosted by nonprofit coaches Tim Needham and Mary Valloni, each episode of the Start and Grow Your Nonprofit Podcast is designed to bring together nonprofit entrepreneurs who have successfully built impactful organizations from the ground up. Join us as we dive into their journeys, share their insights, and learn how to start and grow a strong, sustainable nonprofit that transforms lives, communities, and the world.

In this episode, Mary and Tim break down the three essential asks every nonprofit leader needs to master—Time, Money, and Resources. Drawing from their own experiences and real-world examples, Mary and Tim share practical strategies to help you confidently approach donors, volunteers, and partners to meet your nonprofit's needs.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to scale your impact, this episode will equip you with the tools to make your asks effectively and maximize opportunities for your mission.

We'll discuss:

• Time: Why asking for volunteers’ time is often the hardest—and most valuable—ask.
• Money: The importance of clarity in financial needs and how to confidently make the financial ask.
• Resources: Leveraging connections and partnerships to secure the resources your organization needs.
• Being Prepared: The value of having a clear vision, mission, and specific needs to share when opportunities arise.
• Practical Tips: How to build relationships, communicate your needs, and be ready for the right moment to make the ask.

To download the free checklist and see our other resources, visit our website.

To visit and join the Start & Grow Your Nonprofit private Facebook group, visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/startandgrowyournonprofit.

Have a question for our coaches? Visit our podcast page.

For more information about Nonprofit Academy, visit http://startandgrowyournonprofit.com/.

To contact Tim, email [email protected].

To contact Mary, email [email protected].

Hosted by nonprofit coaches Tim Needham and Mary Valloni, each episode of the Start and Grow Your Nonprofit Podcast is designed to bring together nonprofit entrepreneurs who have successfully built impactful organizations from the ground up. Join us as we dive into their journeys, share their insights, and learn how to start and grow a strong, sustainable nonprofit that transforms lives, communities, and the world.

In this episode, Tim and Mary sit down with Eric Porter to discuss the journey of discovering your calling to start a nonprofit. Eric shares his personal story of transitioning from a youth pastor to founding Backyard Orphans, an organization dedicated to mobilizing churches to care for children in need. Together, they explore what it means to step into a calling, the challenges of starting a nonprofit, and the incredible impact of trusting the process.

If you’ve ever felt a pull to start something bigger than yourself or wondered how to turn your vision into impact, this episode is packed with wisdom to guide you. We'll explore:

• Recognizing Your Calling
• Overcoming Doubt
• Building a Support System
• Communicating the Problem
• Sustaining the Vision

For the TED Talk by Simon Sinek mentioned in the episode, Start With Why, Click here to watch on YouTube. For more information on The Donor's Journey as mentioned in the episode, listen to Episode 30 on our podcast page. To purchase a copy of Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World by Michael Hyatt or Visioneering: God's Blueprint for Developing and Maintaining Personal Vision by Andy Stanley as mentioned in the episode, check out the links to purchase online. For more information on Backyard Orphans, visit their website, or connect with them on Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn. You can view their most recent Impact Report here.

To visit and join the Start & Grow Your Nonprofit private Facebook group, visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/startandgrowyournonprofit.

Have a question for our coaches? Visit our podcast page.

For more information about Nonprofit Academy, visit http://startandgrowyournonprofit.com/.

To contact Tim, email [email protected].

To contact Mary, email [email protected].

Hosted by nonprofit coaches Tim Needham and Mary Valloni, each episode of the Start and Grow Your Nonprofit Podcast is designed to bring together nonprofit entrepreneurs who have successfully built impactful organizations from the ground up. Join us as we dive into their journeys, share their insights, and learn how to start and grow a strong, sustainable nonprofit that transforms lives, communities, and the world.

In this episode, Mary and Tim share their best tips and strategies for organizing your week to increase efficiency, focus, and impact. They reflect on their personal journeys of moving from chaotic schedules to intentional planning and offer actionable advice to help nonprofit leaders make the most of their time. Whether you’re balancing a full calendar of meetings, managing volunteers, or simply trying to prioritize self-care, this episode is packed with practical tools to help you maximize your productivity while staying true to your mission. We'll explore the following topics:

• The Importance of Planning
• Personal Energy Mapping
• Time-Blocking for Success
• Delegation and Automation
• Self-Care Strategies
• Avoiding Time Wasters

To visit and join the Start & Grow Your Nonprofit private Facebook group, visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/startandgrowyournonprofit.

Have a question for our coaches? Visit our podcast page.

For more information about Nonprofit Academy, visit http://startandgrowyournonprofit.com/.

To contact Tim, email [email protected].

To contact Mary, email [email protected].

Hosted by nonprofit coaches Tim Needham and Mary Valloni, each episode of the Start and Grow Your Nonprofit Podcast is designed to bring together nonprofit entrepreneurs who have successfully built impactful organizations from the ground up. Join us as we dive into their journeys, share their insights, and learn how to start and grow a strong, sustainable nonprofit that transforms lives, communities, and the world.

In this episode, Tim and Mary sit down with Brandon Boos, Missions and Discipleship Pastor at Faith Oakville in St. Louis, MO, to explore the keys to building meaningful partnerships between churches and nonprofits. Brandon shares his journey from growing up in a nonprofit family to leading a church with a strong missional focus. He offers insights into what Faith Oakville looks for in nonprofit partners, how they’ve navigated funding during challenging times, and the critical role of relationships in mission work. We'll explore the following topics:

• Faith Oakville’s missional approach
• How Brandon's upbringing shaped his passion for missions
• Criteria for partnerships and the importance of member involvement
• How financial stability has allowed for continued support in difficult times
• Advice and encouragement for leaders

For more information about Faith Oakville, check out their website or visit them on Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube. You can reach out to Brandon via email.

To visit and join the Start & Grow Your Nonprofit private Facebook group, visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/startandgrowyournonprofit.

Have a question for our coaches? Visit our podcast page.

For more information about Nonprofit Academy, visit http://startandgrowyournonprofit.com/.

To contact Tim, email [email protected].

To contact Mary, email [email protected].

Hosted by nonprofit coaches Tim Needham and Mary Valloni, each episode of the Start and Grow Your Nonprofit Podcast is designed to bring together nonprofit entrepreneurs who have successfully built impactful organizations from the ground up. Join us as we dive into their journeys, share their insights, and learn how to start and grow a strong, sustainable nonprofit that transforms lives, communities, and the world.

In this episode, Mary chats with Dr. Daniel Gilbert, Co-Founder and CEO of EmPowered Living International Ministries (ELIM). Dr. Gilbert shares his journey of growing ELIM from a part-time passion project into a full-time ministry. He and Mary walk us through the intentional steps he took to make the leap from strategic planning to donor outreach, and how this shift enabled significant growth for his organization. We'll explore the following topics:

• ELIM’s Origin and Evolution
• Transitioning to Full-Time Ministry
• Current Operations and Impact
• Vision for the Future
• Building a Team

For more information about EmPowered Living International Ministries, check out their website or visit them on Facebook or YouTube. You can reach out to Dr. Gilbert via email or on LinkedIn.

To visit and join the Start & Grow Your Nonprofit private Facebook group, visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/startandgrowyournonprofit.

Have a question for our coaches? Visit our podcast page.

For more information about Nonprofit Academy, visit http://startandgrowyournonprofit.com/.

To contact Tim, email [email protected].

To contact Mary, email [email protected].