• What is a nonprofit? • Choosing your mission & vision • Board setup & roles Define what a nonprofit is (mission-driven vs. profit-driven). • Explain types of nonprofits (501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), foundations, etc.). • Share why nonprofits matter for communities. • Personal story: How Healthy Mississippi Futures began. • Quick activity: Write down the problem you want your nonprofit to solve.

• Filing your Articles of Incorporation • Bylaws & compliance basics • Step-by-step 501(c)(3) application walkthrough. • Difference between mission statement (what you do) and vision statement (why you do it). • Examples of strong nonprofit mission statements. • Walkthrough: How to write your own. • Activity: Draft your mission and vision in 2–3 sentences each.

Why Your Team Matters • A nonprofit is bigger than one person it needs support, credibility, and accountability. 1. Board Members • President/Chair: Leads the board, keeps meetings focused, represents the nonprofit. • Treasurer: Oversees finances, keeps the money in order, builds trust with donors. • Secretary: Handles meeting notes, records, and organizational documents. • Tip: Avoid stacking your board with family aim for diverse skills and perspectives.

• Building your first fundraiser • Writing sponsorship letters • How to approach businesses & donors • Thanking donors properly (letters, shout-outs, gifts). • Keeping sponsors updated with results and photos. • Turning one-time givers into recurring supporters. • Activity: Write a donor thank-you template. • How to structure a proposal (intro, mission, what’s in it for them, impact). • Activity: Write a 1-page sponsorship letter.

Setting Up Nonprofit Bank Accounts • Why you must separate personal and nonprofit funds. • How to open a nonprofit account (documents needed: EIN, Articles of Incorporation, bylaws, meeting minutes). • Activity: Create a checklist of what to bring when opening your bank account. • Reporting: monthly reviews, board updates, annual reports. • Activity: Draft your first 3-month budget. Using simple tools (QuickBooks Nonprofit, Wave, or even Excel for small orgs).

Why marketing isn’t just “selling” — it’s storytelling. • Core elements of nonprofit marketing: mission clarity, branding, and consistent messaging. • Using flyers, websites, and email to build credibility. • Activity: Write a 2–3 sentence “elevator pitch” for your nonprofit. • Step-by-step guide to planning community events. • How to find venues, recruit volunteers, and secure vendors. • Activity: Draft a simple event idea and outline the steps to make it happen.

Building Partnerships • Why partnerships matter (businesses, schools, hospitals, faith-based orgs). • How to create win-win collaborations. • Example: A local business sponsors your event in exchange for visibility. • Activity: Make a list of 3 potential partners in your community. • Diversifying income streams (donations, events, sponsorships, grants, products/services). • Building recurring donors for consistent funding.