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Welcome to the Nonprofit Business Lab! I'm genuinely glad you're here.
Let me be upfront with you — this community is brand new. I've been in here mostly talking to myself, and you showing up changes that. So thank you for being one of the early ones. What we're building here is a space for nonprofit and faith-based leaders who are serious about sustainability, revenue, and running their organizations like the businesses they actually are. No fluff. No toxic positivity. Just real conversations from people who are in it. It won't be loud in here right away. And that's okay. The best communities aren't built overnight — they're built by the right people showing up consistently and contributing honestly. If you're here, I already believe you're one of those people. So while we grow, here's what I'd ask: Introduce yourself. Tell us who you are, what organization or work you're connected to, and one thing you're navigating right now. That's it. No pitch. No polish. Just you. I read everything in here and I will respond. This is not a billboard — it's a conversation. We're building something worth being early for. I'm glad you found us. — Sid Managing Principal, The Nonprofit Guild "Nonprofit is a tax status, not a business model."
Are We Gala'd Out? - Thoughts on Galas in 2026-2027?
Not sure about where you are but here in Kansas City, we are in full-blown gala season. Multiple events each week, multiple galas per day on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. And after attending a couple of recent ones, it feels like most are seeing lesser attendance than previous years. The dollar amounts raised feel less significant. I am awaiting some more concrete responses from the Executive Directors but the energy has felt off. I wonder if it has to do with there being so many events and with inflation taking its toll on everything, if the decreasing consumer confidence is showing itself in our gala attendance and fundraising totals? As I speak to people in my circle, I get the same sentiments... People are just over the galas and fundraising events. And if that is a common sentiment that extends far beyond my circle, what does that mean for our nonprofits who hinge a large percentage of their fundraising on a single event? Any thoughts, experiences, or insights into what you are seeing/hearing?
Top 10 Limiting Beliefs in America
This was shared with me recently and it resonated so loudly as I think about the nonprofit sector as a whole, our organizational leadership, and our consistent struggles. Now I know, limiting beliefs can sound kind of "woo-woo" for those of us that are pragmatists and realists. Nevertheless, I have come around to understanding how all challenges, and in turn the solutions to said challenges, start in the mind. So check out the Top 10 and let me know what you think: 1. Fear of Greatness 2. Fear of Not Being Good Enough 3. Fear of Not Being Loved 4. Fear of Rejection 5. Fear of Failure 6. Fear of Success (very similar to #1 but with some nuance) 7. I Don't Deserve/ I Am Not Worthy 8. Rich People Are... (insert negative beliefs) 9. Deep-rooted self-beliefs (oftentimes taught to us during our formative years) 10. I Have to Work Long and Hard for My Money Do any of these resonate? As I think about the nonprofit sector specifically, #2, #4, #8 and #9 stand out to me.
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Why are nonprofits so good at programming?
This was a question I posed to a group during a recent presentation about nonprofit sustainability. I heard the responses you would expect to hear: 1) because the programming is how the mission gets fulfilled. 2) because that is what people are most passionate about. 3) because it is the work that gets done on a regular basis. While all of the above are correct, one response was glaringly missing from the 12-15 in attendance... Nonprofits tend to be really skilled at programming because grant funders require it. We know most grants fund programming, and where money flows, so does attention, focus and execution. As a sector, we didn't accidentally become good at programming. Our revenue model trained us to become good at it. It makes me wonder, what might happen if we brought that same urgency, discipline and attention to building earned revenue? I believe it is likely that we would become really skilled at that too, over time. 🤔
Welcome to Our Latest Members... Garrett, Corey & Eliza
I wanted to extend a special welcome to our newest members this week: @Garrett Webster, Sr. with Youth Guidance - Kansas City. Long time friend, colleague, former neighbor and exceptional Executive Director leading nationwide programs such as BAM (Becoming a Man) and WOW (Working on Womanhood). @Corey Starks with CompliCore Consulting Solutions. Long time friend, former roommate, foster parent, AI expert, and compliance consultant for healthcare organizations throughout Arizona and nationwide. @Eliza Barr with Reaching Out from Within. Nonprofit colleague, reentry expert, and an exceptional Executive Director who oversees programs that represent all 15 adult correctional facilities in Kansas, 7 in North Carolina and the Transition Center in Kansas City, MO. Thank you to each of you for accepting the invitation to be founding members of this online community of nonprofit and community leaders, consultants and individuals committed to building the strongest businesses possible so the important community work and programming can continue.
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The Nonprofit Business Lab
skool.com/thenonprofitguild
For nonprofit leaders done confusing tax status with a business model. Free community. Real business frameworks.
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