Starters' Notes
Inspiration & Information For New and Aspiring Nonprofit Founders

 

Starter's Notes
A Blog For New & Aspiring Nonprofit Founders

Can You Pass a Nonprofit To Your Kids? nonprofit leadership organizational change

You have a Big Vision: making a real difference in the world. You've done more than dream about it and talk about it, too. You’ve launched a nonprofit, and now you're leading it. 

As time has gone on, you've started thinking about your legacy and how you can leave the nonprofit to your children.

...

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Sometimes the Little Things ARE the Big Things compassion nonprofits

You have a good heart. You’re compassionate. And you love helping people in need. But you’re also busy! You keep thinking, dreaming and talking about all the ways you’ll make a big difference in the world.

Someday.

That same “someday” that’s “around the corner.” And...

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I’m a Person, Not a Problem: How the Labels We Use Can Backfire nonprofit programs nonprofits

Labels can be an explosive topic in the nonprofit world. Labels that governments, organizations, and ordinary people use to describe people and places.

By people, I don’t mean secretaries, bankers, or astronauts. And I don’t mean labels like “stylish,” “talented”, or...

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Why I'm Taking My Own Advice! nonprofit mentoring nonprofit startup nonprofits

For weeks I've had my head down for hours creating  the Nonprofit Founders Circle–-my new membership program. I’ve been fleshing out the first 12 months in advance because I want my members to have an amazing experience. I even invested in a course to learn how to build a membership program the...

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What’s In a Name? 3 Questions to Ask When Naming a Nonprofit nonprofit startup nonprofits

Just like a person, an organization needs a name; you can’t create a nonprofit without one. That seems pretty obvious when you think about it—a no-brainer.

But have you ever tried to name an organization? Unless you’re going to name it after yourself, coming up with the right name is not always...

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Small Beginnings, Big Possibilities nonprofit startup starting small

Some of us have Big Dreams. Dreams of helping people in need. Dreams of making our lives count for something important. Dreams of doing something that needs to be done, that no one else is doing.

We dream big because we’re natural-born ChangeMakers.

So why haven’t we gotten started yet? Why is the Dream...

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Change: Get Ready, Stay Ready! nonprofits organizational change

We know Change is coming. So why are we caught off guard when it shows up? Maybe we’re too busy to think about it. Or maybe we expect Change to stay away until we’re ready for it. We cruise along with our heads down, hustling to complete that ever-bloated To Do list until we’re smacked in the...

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The 5 Team Building Lessons You Can Learn From a Marching Band nonprofit leadership teams

From my T.L. Figgs Nonprofit Consulting Website:

Today's post takes a lighthearted look at team building. Back in the 1990s, we heard a lot about building and managing teams. And we heard phrases like "team player" and "There's no 'I' in team" enough to make us scream.

Or maybe that was just me.

What's The Big...

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4 Reasons Your Church Should Say Yes to Nonprofit Startup houses of worship nonprofit startup

Many churches minister to people in need inside and outside the church walls. But the growing need for help can outpace a church’s resources. At that point, church leaders often consider the wisdom of launching a separate nonprofit to attract more support for their programs.

Launching a nonprofit is not...

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How YOU Can Write Powerful Grant Proposals grantwriting

Grant proposal writers are in great demand these days. Mission-driven organizations typically survive on contributions and grants, and the competition for those dollars is fierce. So everyone wants a grant writer who can come in and work some magic.

Fund Raising Magic

Grant writers, though, do not come with magic...

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