Recognizing potential situations and environments your nonprofit may encounter in the future, and determining how your organization should react, are important towards its long-term success. To build a successful nonprofit, one must learn the importance of nonprofit strategic and scenario planning.
While these two terms sound similar, they are fundamentally different. Quickly, strategic planning typically focuses on identifying and/or describing likely futures, then developing a plan that allows an organization to succeed. Similarly, scenario planning process tends to explore the uncertainty involved in analyzing a long- term future.
But, you shouldn’t just rely on the short paragraph above as your information, or all that you need to know for your nonprofit.
You should rely (and listen) to the latest episode of A Modern Nonprofit Podcast if you want to learn everything you need to know about strategic and scenario planning.
On this episode, Dr. Emilie Socash, CEO of Nonprofit Help Center, to talk with Tosha Anderson, founder and CEO of The Charity CFO, to review this important topic. Some questions covered during the episode include:
What’s the difference between scenario planning and strategic planning
What’s unique about the scenario planning process for nonprofits (vs. for-profits)?
What does the scenario planning process look like? Is there just one way to do it? Does it require a specific skill set?
Can you give an example of how a nonprofit has effectively used scenario planning?
And more!
Make sure to subscribe to A Modern Nonprofit Podcast and share our episode to your nonprofit, professional network to get the word out about the helpful tips and tricks shared during this nonprofit-oriented series!
Dr. Emilie Socash is the CEO of Nonprofit Help Center, and also joins Tosha Anderson on A Modern Nonprofit Podcast!
So, you’ve listened to A Modern Nonprofit Podcast. Now what?
Nonprofit organizations—and the people who lead them—bring unique value to our communities, particularly during times of challenging change. The Nonprofit Help Center delivers a leader-focused suite of services that are grounded in organizational and leadership psychology, delivering transformational and long-lasting change where it’s needed most. Is your organization looking to build itself into an organization that can truly succeed? Become a NHC member today, which includes full access to all live and pre recorded webinars, special member resources, and a discount on coaching!
And if you want to build your organization, you need to focus on the work that matters. That means you shouldn’t have to spend your nights and weekends completing financial paperwork, performing bookkeeping tasks or learning nonprofit accounting jargon. You need to outsource your accounting, and ensure you have a team of certified public accountants who actually know nonprofits.
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.
Despite the cold temperatures, themes during the winter months are warm and optimistic. For example:
Thanksgiving: A holiday focusing on gratitude and appreciating what one has.
Christmas: A time spent feeling grateful for being with and giving to others.
Giving Tuesday: wait, you might ask, what is that?
It’s completely okay if you don’t know the specifics, or haven’t heard of, Giving Tuesday!
Giving Tuesday is a “global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world,” according to its website. And everyone can get involved! If that’s by donating to a charity, volunteering for a nonprofit, or performing random acts of kindness, you can do good this year.
Giving Tuesday is very important for nonprofits because it is a time for charitable donations and significant contributions from the greater public. We at The Charity CFO are proud to work with hundreds of nonprofits every day, and you can view our scope of work on our website here.
This Giving Tuesday, give if you can to the organizations that help make our communities great. With the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been no greater need for nonprofits to continue to help those who may be struggling.
Is your nonprofit hoping to find financial balance after Giving Tuesday? Schedule a time to talk with The Charity CFO and book a FREE STRATEGY SESSION here.
https://thecharitycfo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/GivingTuesday-logo.png545767Paul Cook/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/fileuploads_222926_8055634_252-8e05624973e20b5de823aebdbcfd37df_LogoLeftAligned.pngPaul Cook2020-11-30 19:00:232025-08-09 07:56:38The Importance of #GivingTuesday in 2020
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