About LaCharla Figgs

Founder, Nonprofit Startup Academy

About LaCharla Figgs

Founder, Nonprofit
Startup Academy

I work with Difference-Makers who are committed to helping people and communities in need.

Hello! I'm LaCharla Figgs, and I created Nonprofit Startup Academy to take the sting out of pursuing your Vision.

To make starting a nonprofit faster and less frustrating. And to help you get it right the first time.

I've spent the past 30+ years supporting US charitable nonprofits through strategic planning, training, executive coaching, grantmaking, and more.

And I still love this work!

One of my favorite things to do is to help Visionaries launch charitable nonprofits. These highly-focused people are excited and ready to change the world for Good. They bring an energy that I love!

Are You A Visionary?

If you are, I think I know a little something about you. You want to serve more hurting people NOW. And even though you're thinking of launching a nonprofit, you have ZERO patience for planning, "process," and paperwork.

You know they come with the territory, but you DO NOT like them!

If that's you, if you feel that in your soul, here's the good news: I'm good at those things, and I'm here to help. So, when you're ready, I can ease you through the frustrating parts, help you find clarity, and provide a framework for launching your organization with a solid foundation.

All to help you get out there and make a Big Difference in the world as soon as possible.

One of my favorite things to do is to help Visionaries launch charitable nonprofits.

These highly-focused people are excited and ready to change the world for Good. They bring an energy that I love!

Are You A Visionary?

If you are, I think I know a little something about you.

You want to serve more hurting people NOW. And even though you're thinking of launching a nonprofit, you have ZERO patience for planning, "process," and paperwork.

You know they come with the territory, but you DO NOT like them!

If that's you, if you feel that in your soul, here's the good news: I'm good at those things, and I'm here to help.

So, when you're ready, I can ease you through the frustrating parts, help you find clarity, and provide a framework for launching your organization with a solid foundation.

You're Not Alone

________________

Starting a nonprofit means wading into new territory.

My job is to help you avoid pitfalls, delays, and confusion, and create the right kind of nonprofit.

The first time.

My 30+ years of experience training and coaching leaders, creating nonprofits, and more have equipped me to make this journey easier for you.

More About Me?

If you want to know more about my professional experience, click the plus sign below.

The long version of my story...

Going Freelance

I launched my nonprofit consulting practice in 2006 and this online program--Nonprofit Startup Academy--in 2016.

My company's mission is to equip compassionate Difference-Makers to launch nonprofits that improve the lives of people in need.

I do that through classes, leadership coaching, hands-on help, 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 the 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

The short version is this: I use my experience to help new and aspiring nonprofit founders become Difference-Makers on a larger scale.

Are you deciding whether to start a nonprofit and considering your options?

If so, I invite you to take the first step by learning the steps to form a U.S.charitable nonprofit. You'll find the link below.

I look forward to supporting your Vision for serving others.

Are you thinking of starting a US charitable nonprofit?

Nonprofit Startup 101 is free and will help you understand the process and ways to avoid costly mistakes and wasted time.

YES, I WANT THE CLASS

About LaCharla Figgs

About LaCharla Figgs

Are You A Visionary?

Are You A Visionary?

You're Not Alone

More About Me?

The long version of my story...

Going Freelance

Affordable Housing & Community Development

Variety Is The Spice

Clarity Before Commitment