Episode•September 10, 2021•36 min

How To Start a Non-Profit with Shinika McKiever | Ep. 69

About Our Guest Dr. Shinika McKiever is a leader, an innovative and intellectual thinker, a dreamer and doer, as well as a believer of the power of positivity and leading from within. She currently works as the Director of Foundation Relations in the Division of University Advancement at her alma mater, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Prior to joining UNC-Greensboro, Shinika worked as the Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations at NC A&T State University. Shinika received a B. A. in Political Science and minor in African- American studies from the University of North Carolina—Greensboro and a Master of Public Administration from North Carolina Central University. She recently received her doctorate in the Leadership Studies from NC A&T State University. She also owns her creative consulting firm, The McKiever Group Creative Company, which specializes in entrepreneurial start-up services, nonprofit management, and talent development solutions. Shinika’s past recognitions include: Future Fund Member, 2018 NC Central University 40 Under 40 Alumni Award, 2018 Triad Business Journal 40 Leaders Under 40, Leadership Winston-Salem Class of 2017, 2016 Triad Business Journal’s Outstanding Women in Business, 2016 Wells Fargo Piedmont Triad Chapter Volunteer of the Year, and 2015 Winston under 40 Leadership Award. She has volunteered with numerous local nonprofit organizations and served on the boards of several community nonprofits. She is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. Shinika enjoys spending time with her family and two fur babies, writing, traveling, photography, crafting, and baking. She feels that it is important to give back, so she is also passionate about entrepreneurship, leadership, mentoring, coaching, and helping others develop their ideas and reach their potential. Connect with Shinika Twitter: https://twitter.com/shinikainspires Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drshinikamckiever/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrShinikaMcKiever/ Email: [email protected] Connect with Tiffany on Social Media Facebook: Money Talk With Tiff Twitter: @moneytalkwitht Instagram: @moneytalkwitht LinkedIn: Tiffany Grant YouTube: Money Talk With Tiff Channel Pinterest: Money Talk With Tiff This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

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Key Takeaways

1
Grants should never be 100% of a nonprofit's funding strategy
Grant funding is highly competitive and often one-time only
Diversify funding streams through earned revenue, sponsorships, and board giving
Create monetizable services or programs to generate sustainable income
2
Impact measurement is essential for grant success
Clearly define behavior change resulting from your programs
Set realistic objectives that are easily measured with benchmarks
Show how your project is transformational and different from others
3
Board composition requires intentional recruitment and accountability
Recruit board members with specific skill sets that fill organizational gaps
Require board members to give financially (time, talent, and purse)
Implement term limits and attendance policies to maintain engagement
4
Prospect research must precede grant applications
Research funders' priorities, past grants, and giving capacity
Use resources like Philanthropy News Digest and state grantmaker networks
Ensure alignment between your mission and funder's priorities
5
Sponsorships offer an alternative to traditional grants
Sponsorships come from corporate marketing budgets, not grant programs
Align sponsor missions with your nonprofit's mission
Offer brand visibility and employee volunteer opportunities as perks

Intro

Tiffany Grant interviews Dr. Shinika McKiever about starting and sustaining a nonprofit organization, covering funding strategies, board development, and grant writing fundamentals.
Dr. Shinika McKiever is Director of Foundation Relations at UNC Greensboro, founder of The McKiever Group Creative Company, and holds a doctorate in Leadership Studies. She specializes in nonprofit management, entrepreneurial startup services, and has received multiple leadership awards including the 2018 NC Central University 40 Under 40 Alumni Award.

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– Prerequisites for Grant Applications

Before applying for grants, organizations need 501(c)(3) status and a clear understanding of their programs and services.

You have to have critical and core servicing programs. So what is it that you do? Who are you serving? Who's your target audience? And what behavior change is occurring as a result of them receiving your products or services?
– Dr. Shinika McKiever

Focus on outcome-based funding: what outcome is achieved as a result of receiving grant funding?

– The Donor Engagement Cycle: Prospect Research

Before applying for grants, conduct prospect research to identify potential funders and understand their priorities.

If you don't do that research, you're probably just going to be overwhelmed and stressed out.
– Dr. Shinika McKiever

Philanthropy News Digest for RFPs
North Carolina Network of Grantmakers (or state equivalent)
Foundation annual reports and grant guidelines

– Diversifying Funding Streams

Grant funding should never be the sole revenue source. Organizations need diversified funding to remain sustainable.

Grant funding should never be the end goal for sustaining your organization. So your organizational budget should not be comprised of 100% grants.
– Dr. Shinika McKiever

Example: Trosha in Durham operates a moving company and on-site store to generate revenue that supports their substance abuse rehabilitation mission.

Other strategies: monetize workshops, offer consulting services, create fee-based programs

– Sponsorships as a Funding Strategy

Sponsorships differ from grants because they come from corporate marketing budgets and provide mutual visibility benefits.

Companies love doing these because they allow them to engage in the community, they get to be involved in the community, and then they also get to increase their visibility and support their corporate social responsibility.
– Dr. Shinika McKiever

Create sponsor packets with brand placement, website mentions, and employee volunteer opportunities as incentives.

– Board Giving Requirements

Grant funders often ask whether board members contribute financially to the organization.

You want to recruit board members that have financial capacity to support your organization, because if they're serving on your board, they should be serving with their time, talent, and their purse.
– Dr. Shinika McKiever

Include a question on board applications: 'Are you willing to give as part of your service?'

– Intentional Board Recruitment

Avoid recruiting board members based solely on personal relationships. Focus on skill gaps and commitment.

You don't want your mom on the board just because she's your mom. You want to put somebody on your board that meets a gap in a service need that you have.
– Dr. Shinika McKiever

Use applications to assess fit and commitment
Implement term limits (max two consecutive terms)
Set attendance policies with accountability measures
Ensure board members have relevant expertise

– Grant Proposal Evaluation Questions

Before writing a grant proposal, evaluate the project against these criteria:

Does the project have large impact relative to cost?
Are objectives realistic and high-impact?
Are objectives clearly defined and measurable?
Does the project bring added value?
Is the goal transformational?
Are there collaboration opportunities?

Resources

Topics

nonprofitgrant writingfundraisingboard development501c3philanthropysponsorshipsprospect researchnonprofit sustainabilityleadership