TL;DR:
- The first step in starting a nonprofit is figuring out what services your program is going to offer.
- Second, choose your team and board. Make sure it is a diverse group that is passionate and represents your organization.
- Create your branding, and get your name out there.
The three developmental phases in nonprofit are creating programs/services, picking your staff and board, and identifying and branding your organization. In the nonprofit world, to stay relevant and keep your donors, volunteers, and supporters engaged, you constantly have to find ways to develop and to keep the impact pushing forward. Once you have developed your purpose and mission, it’s time to put your ideas and programs into motion. The essential factor in development is what services will your nonprofit provide? Figuring out your services and how you will execute them is honestly one of the most interesting steps in your process.
To work in the nonprofit industry or even serve on a board, the passion has to be what fuels you. If there is a lack of passion, it shows in your work, which is reflected by the organization. Click To TweetDeciding on Your Program
As you build and plan on what you will offer/provide, you’re able to experiment with many options figuring out what works best for your organization and what doesn’t. This process builds a lot of character. It creates a culture of hard developmental work.
For us, we started off with five programs centered on our mission after testing out the programs in various schools and events. I quickly realized that we needed to focus primarily on what we do best and what makes us different.
After that evaluation and various board meetings, I decided to dismiss three of the programs. Then, we focused on the remaining two that aligned with our mission, purpose, and vision. Learning from your past experiences, you are able to take that gained knowledge and apply it to future projects.
Choosing Your Team
Next is developing a solid team of believers and staff. You might question why choosing a team is down the list a bit. And you’re right; it should be one of the first things to take care of. However, in the nonprofit industry, along with being part of an organization, you’re part of something bigger than yourself. This is something that’s for the greater good of the community that affects thousands, even millions of people.
Once you have established your nonprofit’s name and basics, along with the programs/services, then it’s extremely important to pick your team based on your community obligation and purpose/mission. Picking a board or staff is more than just the typical hiring or selecting; you are choosing individuals who will be the voice of the organization and ambassadors for the work your nonprofit does. Your board should be a team of leaders with experience in various fields. Electing your board is different from hiring staff. In the choosing phase of both rosters, keep the idea in mind, “You should never be the smartest in the room.”
What to Look For
Choose a team of leaders who challenge and inspire each other to be great. Often, your organizations are held to higher standards in your respective community because of your leadership and the significance of your work. When you choose, it’s important to factor in that person’s work experience, personal values, and education. Make sure that their personal values align with your organization’s values.
To work in the nonprofit industry or even serve on a board, the passion has to be what fuels you. If there is a lack of passion, it shows in your work, which is reflected by the organization. To avoid those mishaps, choosing a team takes time and carefully reviewing. “You attract what you put out,” and as an organization or individuals, this has to be a quote you live by. The energy you manifest will be replicated back to you, and as part of the development phase, you have to stay true to who you are and what you do.
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Branding Your Organization
The last developmental phase is identifying and branding your organization. So now you have your purpose/mission. You have your services and programs created. And you have a staff of individuals who believe in the mission and a board of directors making decisions. It’s time to begin branding and making your presence known in your community.
This development comes with finding unique ways to market your brand and separating yourself from the pack. Speaking from experience, this is the most intriguing part. You spend a lot of time getting field experience and careful evaluation of your organization’s work. During this phase, emphasize public relations and communications efforts within your team. If this is a weakness in your organization, it’s ok to step outside the team and hire a marketing consultant or marketing firm to help reach your goals.
Sebastian Sanders – “Art of Giving” One Nonprofit Can Change The World, Chapter 3 “Development Prosperity”
About Sebastian Sanders
Sebastian Sanders “The Youth Principal” is a world motivational speaker. Born in Houston, Texas, Sebastian is a known community leader & youth advocate since his founding of The Sanders Hand in 2017. He has been changing the lives of many families and students across the world, servicing over 2,000 youth & college students from Texas to Oklahoma. Sebastian is a graduate from the University of Texas at San Antonio with his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration Management. Sebastian is also the founder & chairman of SJS Enterprises, serving as the cultivation of community and business as we know it.
Known for his amazing work with youth, he is a perceived businessman & social entrepreneur with the creation of “Define Success” curriculum & leadership camp. Sebastian is a well-rounded entrepreneur with his unique sense of business. He thrives for change in our economy and community.
“Don’t look for change, be the change.” – Sebastian.
