59. The Money Side of Starting a Nonprofit with Erika Millard

You've got the mission on your heart and the drive to match. But should it be a nonprofit, or should you keep running a mission-driven business? And once you decide, what does the money side of this look like when nobody's handing you a manual? This week on The Rich Nonprofit, Lisa sits down with bookkeeping and QuickBooks expert Erika Millard for an honest, back-and-forth conversation about what it takes to start and scale a nonprofit, from both the strategic and financial sides. They cover when a nonprofit makes more sense than a business, the systems you need before you think you need them, how to stop avoiding your numbers, and why paying yourself as a founder is not optional. If you've been sitting on a nonprofit idea or you're early in the build and feeling overwhelmed by the financial piece, this episode gives you the clarity and the structure to move forward.Main Topics Covered in this Episode:How to know if your idea should be a nonprofit or stay a mission-driven businessWhy Lisa recommends starting with impact in your brand before going full nonprofitThe first systems every nonprofit founder needs (donor management + bookkeeping software)TechSoup: the money-saving hack most founders find out about too lateFinance Friday and other ways to make bookkeeping a habit you keepWhy keeping personal and nonprofit finances separated matters from day oneHow networking fuels nonprofit funding (and it's simpler than you think)Board relations, grant applications, and why your numbers need to be dialed inWhen and why nonprofit founders should start paying themselvesResources Mentioned in the Episode:Brand Impact Strategy: 90-minute intensive to map impact into your brand - https://poppygrovellc.com/brand-impact-strategyTechSoup: discounted software for nonprofits (techsoup.org)Connect with Lisa Avila:Join Built for Bigger FREE Telegram Community - https://poppygrovellc.myflodesk.com/built-for-biggerLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisamavilaInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/lisathestrategist/Connect with Erika Millard:Website: https://erikamillard.com/More About The Rich Nonprofit Podcast:The Rich Nonprofit is for cause-driven women who are starting or scaling a nonprofit, or integrating impact into their brand. Each week, Lisa Avila delivers straight talk on strategy, leadership, and legacy.