3 Trends In How Small Nonprofits Grew To (& Sustained) $2M

How you think about fundraising and your board and hiring is so different at $1M than at $10M. And trying to do what organizations at different stages of development are doing will lead to frustration, negative self talk and burn out. I’ve found that there was very little information about how a small nonprofit org should think about growth and sustainability, and the guidelines and rules for a larger org may not be appropriate.So about five years ago, I decided to do my own research to discover and distill whether there is logic to the seeming chaos of growth amidst small non-profits. This week I’m sharing some “lessons from the field” -- offering behind-the-curtain insights into what sustainable $2M organizations look like. I’m sharing three specific trends in staffing, fundraising, and board structure for organizations that grew to and sustained $2M: Structured and effective leadership team to get the ED out of the weedsAn intentional funding model that leans into what’s work and away from what isn’t Increased board structure, skill, and focus on governanceAs you think about your own growth, keep these 3 benchmarks in mind either as lighthouses to aim towards or as gut checks to rethink your own structure. No two organizations are the same, but we can learn from one another so that we shorten the distance and lessen the effort for getting from where we are to the impact we want to have. Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts“This podcast is heaven-sent. Gratefu!!”  <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — build and lead an organization that brings them joy. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!Also, if you haven’t done so already, I invite you to share the podcast with friends! You can share this link: richiebabbage.com/nonprofitmastermindpodcast Other Ways To Enjoy This Podcast Check us out on YouTube! Want to work together? Apply for the Next Level Nonprofit Mastermind, a high-touch coaching and training accelerator for established organizations with $1M+ budgets that are ready to design for impact sustained at scale.  Budget under $1M? Join Elevate and get proven step-by-step playbooks + coaching support to build each of the core elements of your nonprofit's operating system - strategic clarity, a fundraising engine, a high-performance team, and an active and engaged board!   Connect with me!LinkedInInstagramYouTube