Launching a nonprofit can feel exciting, meaningful, and overwhelming all at once. Many founders begin with passion and enthusiasm, but long-term sustainability and success requires structure, planning, compliance, and effective fundraising systems to be in place for this to happen. Many wish they had received better advice or known more before they had begun. If you are exploring how to start a nonprofit or grow one, this 14 point guide is based on the advice of hundreds of nonprofit leaders and outlines what every new organization and founder should have in place in order for their mission to thrive.

This article also highlights where Continue To Give's nonprofit software can simplify operations (from donor management to online giving to communication tools) so you can stay focused on your mission.

1. Is Starting a New Nonprofit Even Necessary?

Before doing anything else, it is wise to evaluate whether establishing a new nonprofit is truly needed. If five other organizations in your community are already doing the same work, launching a separate nonprofit may splinter resources, confuse donors, and weaken the broader cause. It's worth asking:

• Could you partner with or join an existing nonprofit instead?
• Does your approach serve a truly unmet need?
• Can your mission be accomplished through collaboration rather than starting from zero?

If you decide a new nonprofit is truly needed, the following steps will help ensure you build it correctly and sustainably.

2. Understand Nonprofit Structure and Governance

Do your research and understand that every nonprofit operates within its own defined structure. After receiving your 501(c)(3) status, you will need to: create and adopt bylaws; establish a clear mission statement; form a board of directors with defined roles and responsibilities. Strong governance and a board that understands their role is the foundation of stability and success for a nonprofit. Without it, fundraising, compliance, and operations can quickly fall apart.

3. Build an Operating Budget

Even if you are new and only forecasting (or dreaming!), you will need to create a budget - this not only helps you but funders will rightly expect to see responsible financial planning before they invest. The National Council of Nonprofits has helpful resources on budgeting and understanding costs, but essentially a budget has three components: Projected revenue (donations, grants, events); Anticipated expenses (program costs, administration, software, marketing); Cash flow planning.

4. Build Relationships With Interested Community Members

Growing a nonprofit requires consistent outreach. Whenever someone expresses interest - whether they attend an event or interact online - follow up with them, meet with them, include them in communication, and invite them to be part of the story. Have resources, information and data on hand to pass them if and when needed.

5. Leverage Your Board for Fundraising Introductions

One of the board's primary duties is fund development. Encourage your board members to make introductions to funders, foundations, corporate sponsors, community leaders and any other funding opportunities. They are your first ambassadors - make sure they are fulfilling their role of actively opening doors.

6. Define Programs That Fulfill Your Mission

Your mission should be driven by thoughtful programming and activities that serve your chosen community. Funders, volunteers, and donors want to know details of what programs you offer, who you hope to serve and what measurable outcomes you expect. This will also help when it comes to demonstrating impact for grant applications. Using social media, newsletters, email etc or having a downloadable pdf can be good for demonstrating your programs.

7. Create and Maintain a Donor and Participant Mailing List

A nonprofit can be well-meaning and intentional but it cannot grow without contact data. You will need a robust donor management system such as Continue To Give that allows you to do this so that you are able to track your donations, log communications and capture important information. Click on the link to start your free trial or set up a no-strings meeting where we can go over any questions you may have.

8. Run Programs and Community Events - and Collect Data

Not only do you need contact data you also need to collect attendance data every time you host an event or run a program. These are great ways to generate visibility and credibility and they will also provide metrics on impact, opportunities to engage with donors, and even stories and testimonials you can use in fundraising. Click here to see a list of creative and different ways to fundraise beyond galas and grants. Don't forget to document everything for future reporting, communications, and grant applications.

9. Meet With Funders and Foundations Regularly

In non-profit work, relationships are everything. Donors want to regularly know where their money is going and that you are accomplishing what you say you will. Use every opportunity to demonstrate to them any outcomes and how their support will continue to be used. Feel confident to schedule ongoing discussions, even before you request funding.

10. Maintain a Balance Sheet That Shows Growth

Funders rightly expect to see financial integrity (read more here about the power and importance of financial transparency). A clear balance sheet demonstrates that you are responsibly stewarding funds and that there is sustainable growth. This lays the groundwork for readiness for larger funding opportunities.

11. Expand Communications and Outreach

Use consistent communication channels (email, newsletters, social media, website updates, handouts and printed materials) by having in place a reliable management system such as Continue To Give, which includes built-in messaging and follow-up automation tools to simplify this process. Clear, regular communication builds trust and increases donor retention.

12. Build a Professional Nonprofit Website

This is arguably one of the most important tools at your disposal. A nonprofit website must clearly share your mission and programs and provide a clear way to donate. Make sure it is compatible with mobile devices and can also display impact metrics and stories.

13. Solicit Donations

This is where many new nonprofits struggle, asking people for money can be hard! But it is essential work if your organization is going to survive. Diversifying your approach can help to not feel like a broken record and you will shortly gain insight into what type of giving connects with your donors the most. You can try: online giving, recurring donations, events, peer-to-peer campaigns, direct asks, social fundraising. Click here to read our blog on creative and different ways to fundraise beyond galas and grants. Continue To Give provides donation pages, recurring giving tools, mobile giving, peer-to-peer fundraising, and automated receipts - everything you need to grow giving effectively.

14. Search for Grants

Now, finally, once your foundation is solid, you can begin applying for grants! Grants Plus has helpful resources, tips and dos and don'ts. A simple list will include:

• Program descriptions
• Budgets
• Impact data
• Board lists
• Financial statements
• A strong case for support

Grants help you scale but you must have the systems in place to manage them responsibly.

In the end...

Starting a nonprofit is meaningful work, but it requires structure, sustained effort, and clear systems for fundraising and supporter engagement. Whether you are just forming your 501(c)(3) or strengthening an existing organization, tools like Continue To Give help simplify operations so you can stay focused on impact. Good luck!