Steps to Starting a New Nonprofit

Nonprofit Nuggets with Jennifer Yarbrough

Passion Is Not Enough: The Most Common Mistakes Startup Nonprofits Make

Starting a nonprofit is difficult, complex, and hard work.

I am being kind when I say this part...

It takes vision, guts, a clear mission, strong emotional intelligence, and a lot of hard work just to get it off the ground. Think marathon race or mountain climbing. Think liking to bake cakes to running a whole entire bakery. Its like a serene lake that looks calm and relaxing on the top – but once you are in it-underneath has so many currents all pulling at you at once.

Going from vision to a sustainable and financially healthy nonprofit is not for the weak. Many start organizations, but very few do so without making major mistakes that cost them either time, money, supporters, donors or all of the above. There was a study done in 2016 that stated that out of 100 new organizations, only 18 of them made it beyond the second year. ONLY 18%!! 82% of worthwhile and needed programs ultimately fail because they were not put together well. When these organizations fail it is the community and clients that suffer. Having done this work for over 30 years, working with thousands of leaders nationally and internationally on how to build and grow their organizations, I did a quick survey with a group of founders who have created viable, strong organizations. These are folks doing great work every day, they are in the trenches. They all said the same thing: Passion is not enough.

Today I am sharing the real and hard truth about is involved in starting a new nonprofit successful and with a clear path to sustainability. Listen, share and comment if anything stands out to you. If you would like to speak about how me and my team can help your nonprofit, visit my website and schedule a complimentary 20 minutes on my calendar: www.jdyarbrough.com.