What Happens When You Build Your Nonprofit the Right Way
Fundable by Design
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.
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Something Isn’t Working in Your Nonprofit (But You Can’t See Why)
Fundable by Design
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.
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Why “DIY Nonprofit” Is Costing You Money
Fundable by Design
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...
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Filing Your Paperwork Doesn’t Mean Your Nonprofit Is Ready
Fundable by Design
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.
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You're Solving the Wrong Nonprofit Problem
Fundable by Design
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.
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The Seven Types of Nonprofit Leaders
Fundable by Design
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.
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Your Mission Isn’t the Problem. Here’s What Is.
Fundable by Design
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.
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Why Programs Alone Won’t Sustain Your Nonprofit
Fundable by Design
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.
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Why Waiting for a Grant Is the Wrong Strategy
Fundable by Design
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.
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The Dangerous Mistake: Starting a Nonprofit Based on Your Idea (Not the Community’s Need)
Fundable by Design
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...
info_outlineWords are everything in fundraising. One major key to your success is found in the strength of your nonprofit storytelling.
The way you tell your story and engage people in your message can make or break your fundraising efforts.
Jen, what do we mean by storytelling you may ask...
At its most basic level, storytelling is a way to convey facts, information, history and experience from one person, the teller, to another, the listener, but it goes deeper than that.
Stories are interactive, connecting, bonding and gripping.
Shared stories can tie whole cultures and groups together. Shared stories connect and bind all sorts of people, from families to religious groups. Your best friend is your best friend because there are a few stories only the two of you share.
In fundraising, stories are one of the strongest ways to make emotional connections between donors, organizations and community impact.
Nonprofit storytelling lets donors and volunteers know that they are making an impact and making life better for real people.
In other words, you are letting your donor know that he/she is part of your story and most importantly part of the beneficiary’s story.
So, how good are you at using storytelling in fundraising?
Why is storytelling an effective fundraising tactic to increase funding and engagement?
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It connects with the emotions. Stories are much more powerful and motivating than merely using statistics or discussing administrative goals. Donors don’t support you so you can buy a new printer or move into a better building. Those things may be important, but only as a means to the real goal of helping make the world a better place.
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It shows donors that their actions are making a difference. They need to know that goals are being met and lives are being improved. The emotional satisfaction can keep them motivated and prevent burnout. It may inspire them to donate more and get more involved with your cause.
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It gives dignity and context to the beneficiaries and connects their lives to the donors. Telling stories prevents your beneficiaries from being just another statistic. It gives them depth and authenticity. It allows them to have a voice in your foundation just as staff, donors, and volunteers have a voice. It reminds everyone involved that you are helping living, breathing people.
Begin to use this powerful tool right away! Today in fact. When you are ready for expert help, schedule 20 min. on my calendar to make the shift right away: www.jdyarbrough.com