Growing Your Start up Nonprofit

by Ginny Giles

Starting my own nonprofit consulting company was terrifying. Exciting, but terrifying. Suddenly I was responsible for everything. From tracking every receipt to writing contracts to invoicing, plus the actual work of serving clients. I was scared most of the time but I had help. A handful of friends and mentors came around me. They encouraged me, leveraged their network to help me get clients, gave me practical advice, and were honest with me when I had bad ideas. This group of supporters has not only helped me build a thriving business; they have helped me embrace the freedom that comes from living more fully into my best self.

Through my work with leaders of small grassroots organizations I know that others have the same fear, maybe confident in the programs they have created but not so confident with things like fundraising. Most of my clients believe they are the only ones struggling and that everybody else has it all figured out. I have never met anyone anywhere who has it all figured out. We’re all full of excellence with a dash of hot mess.

I am especially excited to partner with Freedom Road to launch our new Grassroots Capacity Building Cohort. This partnership will use culturally competent leadership models and practices to equip a select group of nonprofit leaders to build the capacity of their organizations. The support I received when launching my business was professionally and personally transforming and I am excited to help community nonprofit leaders experience the same growth.

Using the relationally based cohort model, participants will:

• Investigate community based best practices for nonprofit leadership
• Build their organizational leadership skills and leverage their own special combination of passion, lived experience, and skill to benefit their community
• Receive individualized consulting with an experienced national nonprofit consultant

Who can apply? Executive Directors (both paid and volunteer) of organizations with an annual budget of less than $500,000 who have at least 3 years of leadership experience (does not need to be at their current organization). A cohort of approximately 8 members will be selected from applicants. The aim is to create a cohort of leaders who share similar goals and will both benefit from and contribute to a peer learning environment. Leaders from marginalized communities are strongly encouraged to apply. Applicants who would like assistance in clarifying their goals or have questions about meeting the qualifications are welcome to contact the Cohort Coach Ginny Giles at Ginny@FreedomRoad.us.

Length and Start Date: 12-month commitment beginning July 2019

Structure: The cohort will have 6 group coaching sessions every other month beginning July 2019. Each cohort member will have 6 individual consulting sessions on off months beginning August 2019.

Content: The coaching content and resources will be determined by the goals described in each cohort member’s application. Anticipated content may include items such as leadership development, fundraising (grant writing, major donor development, special events, etc.), marketing and communications, strategic planning, board management and development, volunteer recruitment and management, community outreach, and advocacy. A priority is placed on using resources that reflect the culture and context of the cohort members.

Cohort Coach: Ginny Giles 

Fees: $200 per month beginning July 1, 2019 or receive one month free by paying the full annual fee by July 1, 2019. Limited scholarships and sliding scale discounts are available.