Tag Archive for: funding

Why You Shouldn’t Be Giving Up on Federal Grants

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Nonprofit leaders are facing a moment of reckoning: Is federal funding still worth it?

Delayed opportunities. Agency confusion. Shifting compliance rules. The politicization of DEI language. For many, walking away from federal grants feels like the safer route.

But Fielding Jezreel says hold on.

In this episode of A Modern Nonprofit Podcast, Fielding—Founder & President of Jezreel Consulting and one of the nonprofit sector’s top federal grant strategists—joins Tosha Anderson to make the case for why you shouldn’t give up on federal grants.

Because right now, funding isn’t just funding. It’s advocacy. It’s access. And it’s about staying visible in a system that’s changing fast.

Fielding shares what she’s seeing behind the scenes with her clients, including:

  • Agencies struggling to align executive orders with existing law
  • Application requirements changing—sometimes week to week
  • Entire divisions going quiet or disappearing (we’re looking at you, SBA)

Still, she encourages nonprofits to stay in the game. Because stepping back sends the wrong signal: maybe we didn’t need this money after all.

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Forecasting as a Nonprofit’s Financial Early Warning System

Many of the financial challenges that derail nonprofits—unexpected capital expenditures, seasonal fundraising gaps, timing mismatches—aren’t included in the original budget.

Forecasting gives nonprofit leaders a strategic advantage by allowing them to:

  • Model different financial scenarios
  • Spot risks before they become emergencies
  • Make informed decisions in real time

It doesn’t have to be complex. Start with your existing budget. Then, update projections monthly or quarterly. Replace budgeted numbers with actuals and monitor both net income and cash flow impact. The goal? Shift from reactive firefighting to proactive planning.

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The key is knowing how to show up.

She urges organizations to ask not only are we eligible, but are we willing—to adapt language, challenge executive orders, or even fight back through the courts if necessary.

For those new to federal grants, Fielding advises patience. This is a time to learn, build capacity, and get your infrastructure tight. And if you’re applying? Bring your policies, legal support, and even your PR team—because compliance is on blast.

This isn’t about chasing dollars. It’s about staying in the room, and fighting for the communities we serve.

Contact Fielding 

Website: https://www.jezreelconsulting.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fieldingjezreel/

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The Complete Guide to Nonprofit Startup Funding

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We have created a complete guide to nonprofit startup funding. The guide is for both those looking for seed money to start a nonprofit and existing organizations that need additional funding. The topic is overwhelming to many,  but considering the best nonprofit startup funding strategies is important.

Your dream can become a reality.

Funding is a key step for any charity, but this does not happen overnight. This blog will help you learn how to raise funds for your nonprofit so you can help your organization grow.

4 Types of Funding 

We’ve covered four broad types of initial funding (or for existing nonprofits)

1. Start With Your Community for Nonprofit Startup Funding

What do nonprofits do? Nonprofits serve their communities. If you are looking for funding options, start in your community. Work colleagues, friends, and neighbors might see the potential benefits your startup could bring. Don’t be afraid to post calls for help on your social media, too!

Businesses or Community Leaders

Established businesses have cash to spare if they believe your idea can bring something positive to society and be profitable. Also, community leaders tend to be well-connected. They could assist you in reaching out to other people who will likely be interested.

You can present your startup to these leaders and ask them to become board members. This way, they can represent more active stakeholders in your organization. This action will also increase your access to individual donations. Residents are likely to trust these leaders, so they might donate more.

Other Organizations

You can also contact other organizations who provide similar services, or who would be interested in the benefit your startup will bring. For example, churches are likely to find interest in funding food relief centers or homeless shelters. Food providers might also potentially willing to donate some of their own stock to supply your nonprofit. It never hurts to ask.

Friends and Family

You may find it awkward to approach your loved ones for money. But, reaching out to them will give you a good starting ground. They are more likely to understand how passionate you are about the organization. They might be willing to share a stake in the success of your creation. Even if they don’t, they will be more open to sharing your initiative with their circle of friends, thus expanding your reach.

2. Access Grants for Nonprofit Startup Funding

As a nonprofit, you cannot finance your startup in a traditional way. You don’t get to sell items and use the additional money to uphold your organization, so accessing nonprofit grants is a great way for your startup to flourish. However, nonprofit startup grants are a possible option.

What exactly are nonprofit grants, and what do they do?

Nonprofit startup funding is important for your charity.

Well, when it comes to grants, the earlier you receive them, the better. Instead of waiting until you’ve officially started your organization to begin applying, make sure you have a plan. Start reaching out before your organization becomes fully operational because this will prevent future instability. It will also enable the eventual success of your nonprofit.

Here are two prominent types of grants:

Government Grants

There are many government grants out there. This fact will benefit you because there’s no end to the applications you can send out to finance your startup. That being said, make sure to go through the different grants and see which ones will suit your organization the most. To have a better understanding of available grants, you can look through grants.gov.

There are differences between federal grants and state grants. So, make sure to research the ones that are applicable in your area. Keep in mind that there are requirements to meet and contracts to negotiate. You should expect some initial hurdles!

Foundation Grants

Private foundations also provide nonprofit startup grant funds. It may be difficult to know where to begin, but focus on your state and start researching the available private grants in the area.

You may also need to approach the foundation and give them details about what you plan to do with your nonprofit. This will include your projected budget and the specifics of your business plan. If all seems to be suitable, they’ll happily finance your organization.

Note: Business grants are a possible fundraising strategy. Many for-profit businesses create corporate programs, grant options, or scholarships, available to nonprofit organizations. A different type of corporate funding, if you will.

3. Individual Donations for Nonprofit Startup Funding

Did you know that several nonprofits exist by relying on individual contributions from the public? For example, individual donations are the major driving force for the World Wildlife Fund.

To access public donations, set up fundraisers or auctions. Don’t be afraid to get creative. That’s what will draw people in. Fundraising is also a great way to tell people what your nonprofit is all about. This could improve the chances of more donations or public support. Events like bake sales to full-on carnivals, in a post-COVID world, would be useful.

4. Offering Memberships

Providing membership options is a suitable method to earn a fixed amount regularly. People who sign up will contribute to your nonprofit on a recurring basis. You won’t have to worry about finances drying up.

Offering memberships do not apply to all forms of startups. If you have an idea about what to provide to your members- for example, exclusive access to events or information — then this may be a viable funding option.

Tips for Finding Funding Sources

There are several ways to show your organization is ready for funds, improving your chances to bring in more (and do more for your cause).

  • Compile relevant programs: Doing the research work of gathering all relevant programs (nonprofit grant programs, for example) helps determine the possibilities.
  • Clearly convey your nonprofit projects: Whether it’s through memberships, individual donations, grants, or other funding methods those giving will want to know about your track record and how the fund will be used.
  • Show transparency: Keeping accurate track of how dollars and donations are utilized gives people a sense of trust. Accurate financial record-keeping also mitigates issues with governance. Working with a qualified team, experienced in nonprofits, helps immensely.

Nonprofit Startup Funding Can Be Easy

It may seem scary at first. But, you have many options to access nonprofit startup funding. From grants to memberships, you will benefit from researching. You will also benefit if you try out as many options as possible.

Why should you believe in your dreams? If you are compelled to start a nonprofit, use this as your selling point. Helping your community is a great mission to guide your organization. There will always be others who see the potential in your charitable acts.

For more nonprofit help and outsourced bookkeeping assistance, check out our services. This is also a very popular topic in a Modern Nonprofit Facebook Group, which you can join TODAY.

Taking Control of Your Nonprofit Finances

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Today, you might feel there are few things you have control over. Fortunately, taking control of your nonprofit finances is not one of them.

Since the novel COVID-19 pandemic has forced the world into a remote economy, nonprofits face a time of financial transition.

91% of global nonprofit organizations suffered operational damage in the crisis. This 91% is an improvement from the 96.5% recorded in March.

Waiting for normalcy is only a long-term solution that many organizations can’t afford. However, learning how to transition into a new normal can help your organization get back on its feet.

Understanding how to manage your finances is the best path to regaining stability. Here’s how you can start taking control of your nonprofit finances sensibly and effectively.

Taking Control of Your Nonprofit Finances

It’s important to consider how money transfers through different hands within your organization.

A board of directors should oversee general operations. An added financial branch of operation can still go a long way. Delegate financial tasks to a specific individual or group of individuals. That way, you centralize the information handled in the accounting process.

Along with financial managers, you can outsource your accounting tasks. Getting professional advice is a much more efficient way to get your finances in order.

Nonprofits that manage finances internally can appoint at least 2 or 3 people to manage. They can be direct points of contact between the organization and the finances.

You can also assign different functions to those in your financial branch. One member can manage executive functions while supporting members manage secondary tasks. This structure promotes organization, accountability, and transparency within your financial branch of operation.

Multiple Streams of Funding

Adding more streams of funding to your organization is essential to financial balance. Receiving support from more than a few sources adds to the revenue to collect.

It also adds more financial security. Instead of relying on one funding source, you open up more opportunities.

Collective revenue from various sources adds up and gives you more stability. If one stream dries up, you’ll still have the flexibility to focus on others in times of need.

Relevant Streams of Funding

While you grow more streams of funding, you should also make your sources relevant to the times. Prior to the pandemic, common sources of funding for nonprofits included:

  • Sponsorships
  • Grants
  • Programs tuition
  • Fundraising Events
  • Donations
  • Subscriptions

Nonprofits that focus more on in-person fundraising should consider more reliable funding sources.

Instead, there are more reliable, contactless methods of funding. These include sponsorships, grants, donations, and subscriptions.

Sponsorships and grants often involve some research and individual outreach. The scope of their awarding processes also requires waiting periods and gaps. Still, they’re useful sources to consider for long-term operations.

Tracking Expenses and Profits for Taking Control of Your Nonprofit Finances

Multiple streams of funding ensure that money flows into the organization.

This is a two-way stream. It’s possible for cash to flow out of an organization at a high rate.

Tracking the expenses shows you funds entering and exiting the budget. Your financial branch tracks expenses and two-way cash flow. The board of directors advises the active spending goals and habits.

The board and financial managers should meet on a regular basis. Your budget and the size of your organization should determine how often you meet.

It’s also helpful to automate some of the tracking process through software. You can use tools like Quickbooks or GetApp. Tools like these will allow you to begin taking control of your nonprofit finances.

These have specialized features for nonprofit organizations. They can also help you with the distinction between nonprofit and commercial operations. Many softwares also include tax forms and documents. You can use these to help your organization with legal compliance guidelines.

Basic Budgeting

Your organization should use budgeting to inform the other areas of financial management. Here are two basic budgeting tips to follow.

Budget Structures

Each nonprofit should have monetary goals relative to their operational goals. There are three main budgeting structures every nonprofit should know:

  • Surplus budget
  • Balanced budget
  • Deficit budget

These structures are often used in government or commercial spending. They’re useful guidelines to help you estimate profit margins and losses.
When your fundraising efforts exceed expectations, you have a surplus budget.

A balanced budget indicates the expenses are expected to meet profits. In contrast, a deficit budget means that expenses exceed profits. So, there’ll be a margin of lost funds to recover.

Your total budget operates within these structures. As you continue to fundraise, you can determine which type of budget your organization currently operates on.

Budget Timelines

A budget should also include a realistic timeline for specific goals. Be sure to include important landmarks in the year where you need to measure performance.

You can split the fiscal and calendar years into quarters to make goals more realistic. Then expand to an annual timeline to measure more long-term growth.

Board meetings should also align with your timeline of goals. Or, you can increase their frequency to keep up with constant changes.

Taking Control of Your Nonprofit Finances: Outlining Policies

The most important step in financial management is documentation. This includes recording tangible copies of your budget, funding sources, and financial goals.

However, you should also consider implementing or updating your operational policies. This includes spending and investment policies.

Updating your policies may crossover with budgeting. Typically, a budget tends to represent your organization in numbers. A policy shows the larger investment potential.

The content in your policy may also intersect with legal guidelines. For nonprofits, these guidelines often determine eligibility for certain funding opportunities or methods.

Manage Your Nonprofit Finances Now

Financial health is an essential part of any nonprofit organization. We can show your organization how to weather the storm and become financially resilient.

With our team of experts, you can get professional accounting and bookkeeping services. We’ll tailor your financial services to the needs of your organization.

To begin taking control of your nonprofit finances today, contact us, and request a meeting.