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

• 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?

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

• 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.

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

• 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.

• 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 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.

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

• 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.

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

• 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.

• 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

• 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?