The Influential Nonprofit: Episode 122: Rebecca Rodriguez: Why or Why Not Start a Nonprofit
Rebecca is the Principal Consultant at For the Philanthropist and author of The Nonprofit Workbook: Tips & Best Practices for Start-ups Serving the Greater Common Good.
Her clients include funders & grant recipients where she focuses on capacity building. Rebecca joins me along with 18 other nonprofit entrepreneurs who focus on supporting those who labor in the social sector.
Most people who start nonprofits don’t need to. If you’re planning to start a nonprofit, try to get experience in the social sector first. Volunteer for at least a year before you launch your 501C entity. Do some research on existing organizations. Duplication causes a lot of confusion.
We are each on a journey to fulfill our purpose. There are many ways to express the self-fulfillment of your meaning and starting a nonprofit is only one of the ways. Do take note that sometimes, the process towards self-actualization will involve pain and those moments are a part of the lesson and the journey.
A business has to start with enough capital. Think about existing logic models, or what theory of change is involved in your organization. Recognize the community that you serve and define how you are meeting their particular need.
Many nonprofits don’t get past the second stage of building a nonprofit which is concentration and focus because it is when you are going to do a lot but are not going to get a lot back from it. Most people give up, not knowing that if they persist, it will put them into momentum.
We're here on Earth for a divine purpose. We have to find our destiny and live that out. You know better than anyone what your purpose in life is, where your flow is, and you're on your way to meeting your destiny. And I've had to learn how to really embrace that and honor that.
That perspective that I'm serving the donors, I'm not sure I would choose those words. I'm facilitating the donors or inviting the donors to participate through me, for them to create change.
This is a continuous journey. We're all on the path of continuous improvement. We never arrive. But we get better and better with time.
Aim for individual donations first. Realize that that's your bread and butter. Don't bank on grants.
Take the Nonprofit Assessment: https://f757-info.systeme.io/self-assessment
Check Out the Accelerator Startup Package by clicking on this link: https://www.forthephilanthropist.com/accelerator-startup-package
Reach out to Rebecca Rodriguez at:
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