You're always working to help people in need, and my job is to make your job easier.
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I'm LaCharla Figgs, and I created Nonprofit Startup Academy to support compassionate Difference-Makers like you.
I've spent the past 30 years supporting charitable nonprofits. As a strategic planning facilitator, trainer, program director, executive coach, grantmaker, consultant, and more.
And I still love my work!
I love working with Visionaries!
One of the best parts of my work is helping Visionaries launch charitable nonprofits. These highly-focused folk are excited and ready to change the world! And I love using my experience to help them realize their Big Visions.
Are You A Visionary?
If you're a Visionary, I think I know a little something about you. You're ready to serve more hurting people NOW. And you have ZERO patience with planning, "process," and paperwork. Even though you know you'll have to face it to start and run a nonprofit.
That's ok, because that's what I'm good at. I created this program to lend you my strengths. To ease the frustration of the paperwork, planning, and process so you can focus on your Big Vision.
You're Not Alone
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Starting a nonprofit means wading into new territory. My job is to be your trainer and mentor through that journey. To help you see what's ahead. To steer you away from pitfalls and help you navigate the frustrations that may pop up.
You'll see that I'm constantly teaching and sharing insights with you. Because having a nonprofit on paper is not enough. You need to understand all that comes with being a founder. And you need to develop the skills and confidence to lead your nonprofit well.
Excellence Is No Accident
As a nonprofit leader, you should be a life-long learner, and I'm here to support that. In fact, you can start right now with these free resources.
Your Nonprofit Startup Guide
This no-fluff guide is a quick read that walks you through the steps to create a U.S. charitable nonprofit.
Nonprofit Startup
101 Mini-Class
In this free on-demand class, I teach you how to create a U.S. nonprofit & answer your questions.
About U.S. Nonprofits Ebook
In this ebook, I'll give you an overview of U.S. nonprofits for those who are new to the nonprofit sector.
Want To Know More About Me...?
Going Freelance!
I launched my nonprofit consulting practice in 2006 and this online program--Nonprofit Startup Academy--in 2016. My mission is to help nonprofit leaders build strong and sustainable operations that serve people in need. I do that through in-person and virtual classes, leadership coaching, consultation, meeting facilitation, hands-on project support, and more.
Affordable Housing & Community Development
Most of my work has been in the field of affordable housing and community development. I've worked in or consulted with affordable housing and community development nonprofits, local governments that support nonprofits, houses of worship, and human services organizations 30+ years.
I got first-hand experience and learned about affordable housing when I managed a rent-subsidized apartment community. I loved being part of a solution that so many grateful people needed.
Years later I landed at Enterprise Community Partners--then called The Enterprise Foundation. Enterprise Community Partners is a national nonprofit that exists to make a good home possible for the millions of families without one.
My time there was a great learning experience. I started out managing more than $2 million in private and government grants and contracts. Later, I transitioned to providing technical assistance and training to nonprofits across the U.S. and ended my time there in the Baltimore office.
In Baltimore, I served as interim co-director and finally as Deputy Director and Director of Housing and Community Development--overseeing staff and programs and running the grant and technical assistance program.
Variety Is The Spice
Through the years I've also served on nonprofit boards, where I got a view of nonprofit life through a different lens.
In 2006, I established my nonprofit consulting practice. Since then, I’ve had the chance to take on interesting assignments like community outreach coordinator for a DC healthcare initiative, program design and fundraising for a resident services program, interim executive director of a transitional housing nonprofit, and more.
As a consultant, I’ve served associations, national, statewide, and community-based nonprofits, and government agencies. Here are some of the projects I've worked on:
- Board Workshops, Coaching, and Troubleshooting
- Bylaw Review and Revision
- Board Policy Development or Review
- Strategic Planning Facilitation
- Executive Coaching
- Resident Services Program Development
- Grant Proposal Writing
- Fundraising and Grantwriting Training
- Nonprofit Start-Up Consultation and Hands-On Help
- Interim Executive Staffing
- Cash Flow Projection Training
- Research and Report Writing
- Community Outreach Coordination
- Management of Community Outreach workers
- Executive Transition Consultation
What Does This Mean for You?
I’ve worked with government officials and nonprofit leaders, faith-based practitioners and residents of low-wealth communities. I’ve worked with board members and every-day folks interested in nonprofit startup. I’ve run into many organizational challenges–from personality clashes and power struggles to the need for “mini re-engineering.”
And now, through Nonprofit Startup Academy, I'm helping new and aspiring nonprofit founders serve people in need by bringing their Big Visions life. If you want to explore nonprofit startup, or if you're ready for that journey, I'm here. Let's get to work!
Want To Keep In Touch?
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