NonProfit Nuggets with Jennifer Yarbrough

Today, I want to ask you a question that may completely change the way you think about funding your nonprofit: who told you that grants were supposed to fund your entire organization? It's a belief I hear all the time. Many nonprofit leaders launch their organizations believing that once they receive a grant, their financial challenges will be solved. But after 40 years in the nonprofit sector, I can tell you that this is one of the biggest misconceptions keeping nonprofits financially fragile.

I want to challenge a common belief that many nonprofit leaders hold, because it may be the very thing keeping your organization stuck. It's not because you don't care, or you're not working hard, or because your mission isn't important. Often, it's because you've accepted an idea about how nonprofits work that simply isn't true anymore or was never fully true to begin with.

Most of you were never told the full truth about what you're actually starting when you launch a nonprofit organization. You were told about making a difference, serving your community, and even been told about grants and fundraising. But very few people explained that you're not just starting a mission. You're building an organization. And there's a big difference between the two.

When funding is tight, the first question most leaders ask is: "How do we get more money?" "How do we get more grants?" "Where are the donors?" But what if you're asking the wrong question? If you've been spending all your energy searching for the next grant, this conversation may help you step back and identify what actually needs to be strengthened inside your organization.

Many leaders believe their biggest problem is a lack of money. But after nearly 40 years in the nonprofit space, I've learned that the lack of money is often just a symptom. The real problem is usually a lack of capacity. Now, when I say capacity, I'm not simply talking about money. I'm talking about the organization's ability to operate, manage, lead, communicate, fundraise, report, govern, and sustain its work over time.

Today, I want to challenge a belief that many nonprofit leaders have been taught to accept as fact: The better the program, the easier it will be to get grants, donors, and funding. It sounds logical. If the program is effective, impactful, and serving people well, funding should naturally follow. But after nearly 40 years in the nonprofit space, I can tell you that funding decisions are rarely based on the program alone. I've seen organizations with incredible programs struggle to secure funding. And I've seen organizations with average programs receive significant support because they had something else in place.

Today, I want to talk about a moment that almost every nonprofit leader experiences. It usually happens after the paperwork has been filed after the nonprofit has been approved. Everything seems to be moving forward. And then one day, it hits you: "I have no idea how to sustain this." I have seen this moment countless times over the last 40 years in the nonprofit space. It's the moment when leaders realize that running programs and sustaining an organization are two very different things.

Today, I want to talk about some things you probably haven't heard about starting a nonprofit organization. Because when most people think about starting a nonprofit, they hear about the mission. They hear about making an impact. They hear about getting grants and raising money. But there are critical realities that many nonprofit founders are never taught. And those missing conversations often become the reason leaders feel overwhelmed, frustrated, and stuck a few years later.

Today, I want to talk about a massive hidden crisis in the nonprofit space that most people don't even realize exists. It's not a funding crisis. It's not a grant crisis. It's a leadership crisis. Every day, nonprofit startup leaders are launching organizations with passion, commitment, and a genuine desire to serve their communities. But behind the scenes, many are overwhelmed, confused, and stuck. They're trying to figure out fundraising, understand compliance, build programs, and manage operations. And they're doing it all while carrying the weight of the mission on their shoulders.

Many nonprofit leaders believe their program and their organization are the same thing. They're not. And this misunderstanding creates problems with funding, sustainability, leadership, and long-term growth. If you've ever wondered why your nonprofit is working hard but still feels unstable, this conversation may reveal the misunderstanding that's holding you back.

I want to have an honest conversation with nonprofit leaders today. Many people spend months planning their programs, defining their mission, and filing their paperwork. But they never stop to ask one critical question: Where is the money going to come from? If your entire funding strategy is "we'll figure it out later," you're creating problems that will eventually show up as stress, burnout, and financial instability.

Have you noticed the pressure increasing inside your nonprofit? More community need. More expectations. More demand for your programs. But despite all of that… the funding still isn't consistently coming in. So today, I want to talk about why that happens.

I want to talk about something that is quietly affecting a lot of nonprofit leaders: Misinformation. I've seen many organizations struggle, not because the mission wasn't important, but because the leaders were operating from incomplete, outdated, or incorrect information. They were told: "Just start a nonprofit and grants will come." "Passion is enough." "Programs are the priority." "Filing paperwork means you're ready." And over time, those ideas create confusion, frustration, and instability.

"I didn't realize running a nonprofit was this much work." Honestly, many people don't realize it because they were never shown what actually goes into operating an organization beyond the mission and the programs. I've seen passionate leaders enter this work with good intentions, only to become overwhelmed by everything happening behind the scenes. If you've been feeling overwhelmed, stretched thin, or surprised by the weight of leadership, this conversation will help you understand why, and what needs to change moving forward.

I want to talk about something many nonprofit leaders normalize without even realizing it: paying for the organization themselves. Not just financially, but emotionally, mentally, physically, and with their personal time and resources.  If you've been sacrificing more than people realize just to keep things going, this conversation will help you recognize the real cost and why it matters.

It's okay to ask for help. But more than that—it's necessary. Because doing it alone isn't a strength. Building with the right support is. If you've been carrying more than you should, this conversation will help you rethink what strong leadership actually looks like.

Starting your nonprofit was one phase. But building it to last is a completely different one. Today, I want to talk about what it looks like to move beyond startup and begin building your organization for long-term sustainability. If you've already started but feel like you're still in the early chaos, this conversation will help you understand what to build now so your organization can grow with stability.

Are you still operating your nonprofit like it's in startup mode… even after several years? Still figuring things out. Still reacting instead of planning. Still inconsistent with funding, systems, or structure. If that sounds familiar, you're not alone. Startup mode is temporary. But if you don't recognize when to shift, it can quietly become your normal.

What is a nonprofit structure, really? Because when many people start a nonprofit, they focus on the mission, the programs, and the paperwork—but not the structure that holds everything together. If you've been hearing this term but never fully understood it, this conversation will give you clarity—and help you start seeing your organization differently. Because once you understand structure, you start building with intention.

If you're at the point where you know something in your nonprofit isn't working and you're ready to actually fix it, this conversation is for you. Not just to motivate you. But to help you move forward with clarity. I've seen organizations stay stuck not because they don't care… but because they don't know what to fix first. If you're ready to stop guessing, stop circling the same problems, and start building something that actually works, this is where you begin.

Starting a nonprofit is not the hard part. Getting approved is not the hard part. The hard part is everything that comes after that. And the problem is — most people were never told that. This isn't about discouraging you. It's about preparing you. Because once you understand where the real work is, you can start building your organization with clarity instead of confusion.

If you're thinking about starting a nonprofit, or you've just started one, I want to give you four strategic tips that can save you time, money, and frustration. Because starting a nonprofit is not just about passion or paperwork. It's about how you build it from the very beginning. If you want to start your nonprofit with clarity instead of confusion, this conversation will help you build it the right way from day one.

I want to show you the other side of this conversation. We talk a lot about what's not working, what's missing, and where nonprofits struggle. But today, I want to talk about what happens when you build your nonprofit correctly. When your nonprofit is built correctly, things don't feel as heavy. You're not constantly guessing. You're not carrying everything alone. You're not chasing funding without direction. Instead, your organization starts to function the way it was meant to.

Have you ever felt like something isn't working in your nonprofit… but you can't quite explain what it is? You're showing up. You're doing the work. You're trying different things. And still, something feels off. That feeling is usually pointing to something deeper that hasn't been clearly identified yet. If you've been feeling frustrated, uncertain, or like you're missing something you can't quite name, this conversation will help you step back and start identifying what needs your attention.

Trying to figure everything out on your own is not saving you money… it's costing you money. I understand the instinct. You care about your mission, you want to be responsible, and you're trying to make the most of limited resources. Trying to figure everything out on your own is not saving you money… it's costing you money. I understand the instinct. You care about your mission, you want to be responsible, and you're trying to make the most of limited resources. If you've been trying to figure it out as you go and feel like progress is slower than it should be, this conversation will help you see what might be costing you — and how to move forward more effectively.

A nonprofit gets registered, the paperwork is filed… and there's an expectation that funding should start coming in. But I want to say this clearly: filing your paperwork does not mean your nonprofit is ready. Paperwork gives you permission to exist. But it doesn't prepare you to operate. If you've already filed and you're wondering why things still feel unclear, slow, or stuck, this conversation will help you understand what's missing and what to build next.

If you feel like you've tried everything — applied for funding, told your story, built programs, showed up consistently — and it's still not working… I want you to hear this clearly: The issue is not your effort. More effort won't fix what structure hasn't solved. If you've been pushing, trying, and still not seeing results, this conversation will help you step back and identify what's really holding your organization back.

Today I want to walk you through something I've observed after nearly 40 years in the nonprofit space: There are patterns in how nonprofit leaders show up. And over time, I've seen that most leaders tend to fall into one of seven types, each with its own strengths, blind spots, and impact on how the organization grows and gets funded. If you've ever felt stuck or unsure about what needs to shift, this conversation will give you a new lens to understand your role as a leader.

You're not struggling because your mission isn't good. Your cause matters. The work you want to do matters. That's not the issue. This isn't about questioning your mission. It's about strengthening the organization behind it. If you've been working hard and wondering why it still feels difficult, this conversation will help you shift your perspective — and start focusing on what actually moves things forward.

I want to talk about a pattern I see all the time: Nonprofit leaders pouring everything into their programs… while the structure of the organization is left underdeveloped. Now let me be clear, your programs matter. They are the expression of your mission. But they are not what sustains your organization. If you've been working hard on your programs but still feeling stuck, underfunded, or overwhelmed, this conversation will help you understand what's missing and where to shift your focus. Because without structure, even the best programs struggle to survive.

I see this pattern all the time: someone starts a nonprofit… and then waits for a grant to come in. And when it doesn't happen, confusion and frustration start to build. So today, I want to talk about why starting a nonprofit and then waiting for a grant is one of the biggest mistakes I see and why it keeps so many organizations stuck. If you've been feeling stuck, hoping the right opportunity will show up, this conversation will help you shift from waiting to building.

I want to talk about a mistake I see far too often — and it's a dangerous one. Starting a nonprofit based on your idea… instead of the community's actual need. If your organization is built around your idea instead of real, validated need, it will struggle to gain traction, trust, and funding. Nonprofits are not built to express our ideas. They are built to respond to real problems. If you're in the early stages or even if you've already started, this conversation will help you step back and ask a critical question: Who is this really for? Because when your work is aligned with actual need, everything changes — from impact to trust to funding.

When I say the word "infrastructure," it may not immediately resonate with you. And the reason is simple: when many nonprofit leaders start their organizations, no one ever talks to them about infrastructure. They talk about passion. They talk about programs. They talk about impact. But very few people explain the internal structure that allows a nonprofit to operate, grow, and sustain its work over time.

Today I want to talk about the visible and invisible work of running a nonprofit. People see the program. They see the events. They see the impact photos. But they don't see the systems, the compliance, the financial tracking, the reporting, the board management, the donor communication, the strategic planning — all the invisible work that keeps the organization alive. If you've ever felt like you're carrying more than people realize, you are. But here's the key: the invisible work isn't extra. It's essential. Impact is what the world sees. Operations are what make it possible.

If you're thinking about starting a nonprofit or you've just started one, I want you to pause and ask yourself one question: Are you building this for impact today, or sustainability tomorrow? Starting is easy. Sustaining is leadership. If you want your nonprofit to grow, last, and be trusted by funders, sustainability cannot be an afterthought. It must be part of the foundation. Build it to last. Not just to launch.

f you have passion for a cause, that's powerful. But passion alone will not make your nonprofit sustainable, and it will not make it fundable. So today, I want to walk you through what a 12-month roadmap looks like for turning your passion into a fundable nonprofit organization. This is not about rushing. It's about building correctly. If you've started with heart but want to move toward sustainability, this roadmap will help you think differently about your first year.

When I say "operate your nonprofit organization," I'm not just talking about delivering programs.  I'm talking about operating everything inside the organization that ensures it has what it needs to continue doing the work — consistently and sustainably. Your programs are the expression of your mission. But your operations are what protect it. If you've been working hard but constantly feeling stretched, unstable, or reactive, this conversation will help you see what might be missing inside the structure.

Today, I want to talk about how to position your organization to receive grants, and not just apply for them. There's a difference. Many organizations submit grant applications before they are actually positioned to be approved. If you've been applying and hearing no (or not hearing anything at all), this conversation will help you step back and assess whether your organization is truly positioned for funding. Before you apply again, make sure you're built to be funded.

I want to challenge something I hear all the time: "We don't have funding." But here's the truth: not having funding is a symptom. When funding isn't coming in, it usually means something critical wasn't put together for the funder to see, receive, or understand before they were asked to give. If you've been saying, "We just need money," this conversation will help you pause and ask a better question: What haven't we positioned correctly? Because when you fix the foundation, the funding follows.

Today I want to talk about something nonprofit leaders are rarely taught: how funders calculate risk before they fund your organization. Funding decisions are not emotional. They are calculated. If you've ever wondered why you keep getting polite rejections or no response at all, this conversation will help you understand what's happening behind closed doors. Funders don't avoid good missions. They avoid unmanaged risk. And once you understand how risk is calculated, you can start positioning your nonprofit to feel safe, stable, and investable.

I hear nonprofit leaders say this all the time: "We just need to become more fundable." But when I ask what that actually means, most people can't clearly explain it. So today, I want to talk about what fundable really means — not from the nonprofit's perspective, but from the funder's. If you've been doing the work but still not seeing consistent funding, this conversation will help you identify the real gap. Fundable is not a label. It's a position you build into your organization. And once you understand that, everything shifts.

I hear this question constantly: "Where is the money?" Because from your side, it can feel like funding has dried up, donors have disappeared, and grants are harder than ever to secure. But I can tell you this clearly that the money didn't disappear. Funding doesn't move randomly. It moves toward clarity, structure, and reduced risk. If you've been working hard but still wondering why the money isn't reaching your organization, this conversation will help you see what funders see — and what needs to shift. The money is there. The question is whether you're positioned for it.

Today I want to talk about something that might challenge you a little bit. Funders do care about your story. They care about the people you serve. They care about impact. But they invest in systems.  After nearly 40 years in the nonprofit space, I've watched organizations tell powerful, emotional stories — and still walk away without funding. Not because the story wasn't strong. But because the structure behind it wasn't. If you've been leading with story but struggling with sustainability, this conversation will help you understand what funders are actually evaluating. Stories open hearts. Systems open checkbooks. And if you want funding to be consistent, you have to build what makes you safe to invest in.

I'm often asked, "What should we be doing before we get our first grant?" And the truth is, what happens before that first grant matters more than the grant itself. If you're waiting on your first grant and wondering why it hasn't happened yet, this conversation will help you understand what needs to come first — and how to build it the right way. Grants don't build organizations. Prepared organizations earn grants.

If you're paying for your nonprofit out of your own pocket, I want you to know something first: you're not alone. I see this all the time. Passionate leaders quietly covering costs, filling gaps, and telling themselves it's just "for now." But the truth is, most nonprofit founders were never taught why this happens or how to stop it. If you're tired of carrying the organization on your back and want to build something that can actually sustain itself, this conversation will help you understand what's missing and what to do next. Your mission deserves support. So do you.

If you've ever applied for funding and received a rejection email… or a generic "we went in another direction"… or no response at all, then this conversation is for you. In this video, I talk directly to nonprofit leaders who have done the work, submitted the applications, waited patiently, and still heard no. I share what those rejections usually mean, what funders are really saying (even when they don't explain it), and why rejection is often about positioning and readiness, not worth or effort.

Let's talk about next steps. If you've been learning, listening, and realizing that something needs to change in how your organization is set up, this video is about moving from awareness to action. In this conversation, I walk you through how I think about positioning an organization to be fully funded within the next 90 days, not through wishful thinking, but through clarity, structure, and alignment.

I see this mistake over and over again: smart, passionate leaders working hard and still not getting the results they want. And the problem usually isn't effort. It's understanding. If you've felt like you're doing everything you're "supposed" to do but nothing is clicking, this conversation will help you identify where the misunderstanding started and how to realign. You don't need to work harder. You need to understand better.

There are two hats you wear. You wear a program hat, and you wear an administrative entity hat. If you've ever felt like you're doing everything and still falling behind, this conversation will help you understand what's really happening and how to lead more effectively. You don't need to do more. You need to lead differently.

I want to say this plainly, because I've seen the cost of it for decades: passion is not a plan. If you care deeply about your mission but feel like you're working nonstop with little progress, this isn't a motivation problem. It's a planning problem, and that's fixable. Passion starts the work. A plan is what makes it sustainable.