If you’re searching for practical steps on how to grow a small nonprofit, start with mission clarity, strategic planning, understanding your donor profile, and financial sustainability. By refining your approach, strengthening partnerships, and leveraging digital tools, your organization can expand its reach and make a greater impact. With persistence and the right strategies, even the smallest nonprofit can achieve big results. In today’s podcast, Ang Adamiak from Arts & Scraps and Stephen Halasnik from Financing Solutions discuss the keys to growing a small nonprofit.

Strategies to Growing Your Small Nonprofit

Growing a small nonprofit is both rewarding and challenging. While passion fuels the mission, nonprofit expansion requires strategy, resourcefulness, and adaptability. Many nonprofits struggle with securing consistent funding, increasing visibility, and improving efficiency. However, with the right approach, even the smallest nonprofit can scale operations and create a lasting impact. If you’re wondering how to grow a small nonprofit, these key strategies will help your organization expand sustainably.

Harness the Power of Storytelling

Storytelling is a powerful tool in nonprofit fundraising and donor engagement. People connect emotionally with real-life stories, making them more likely to contribute to your mission. While storytelling may sound simple, it is much more technical than it sounds. You have to be mindful not to exploit your community during the process of telling your story.

How to Use Storytelling Effectively:

  • Highlight Impact: Share personal stories of individuals or communities that have benefited from your nonprofit’s work in a way that they won’t feel exploited.
  • Use Multimedia: Videos, photos, and testimonials can bring your stories to life.
  • Make It Personal: Use names, faces, and direct quotes to create a genuine connection.
  • Tie Stories to Action: End with a call to action, such as donating, volunteering, or sharing your message.

A compelling story can turn passive observers into passionate supporters.

Define and Strengthen Your Mission Statement

Your mission is the heart of your nonprofit—it tells people what you stand for and why your work matters. If your mission is vague or overly broad, attracting the right supporters and making meaningful progress can be hard. Therefore, you must ask yourself the following questions:

  • Is our mission statement clear and specific?
  • Does it communicate the problem we aim to solve?
  • Can our supporters easily understand and explain it to others?
  • Does it set us apart from similar organizations?

A well-defined mission is essential for mission-driven growth. Your mission should be compelling, measurable, and adaptable. Regularly revisit it to ensure it aligns with your nonprofit’s scalability and evolving needs.

Map Out a Strategic Growth Plan

Growth doesn’t just happen—it takes planning and intentional effort. A clear roadmap helps you stay focused, measure progress, and make informed decisions. If you’re looking for guidance on how to grow a small nonprofit, strategic planning is a crucial first step. Remember, your strategic planning should include the following:

  • Short- and long-term goals with realistic timelines
  • Nonprofit fundraising, marketing, and outreach strategies
  • Measurable benchmarks to track progress
  • Contingency plans for unexpected challenges

Get to Know Your Ideal Donor

Not all donors are the same. Instead of casting a wide net, focus on donor cultivation by identifying and understanding the people most likely to support your cause. Once you know who your ideal donors are, you can tailor your nonprofit branding, messaging, and outreach to better connect with them.

How to Define Your Ideal Donor Profile:

  • Look at Your Current Donors: Analyze donation history, demographics, and engagement patterns.
  • Identify Shared Traits: Consider age, location, interests, professions, and giving habits.
  • Understand Their Motivations: What drives them to give? Personal connections? A passion for social impact?
  • Gather Direct Insights: Conduct surveys and interviews to learn more about their interests and preferences.

Expand Your Revenue Streams

A key aspect of how to grow a small nonprofit is ensuring financial sustainability. Depending on a single funding source is risky. To ensure financial stability, revenue diversification is essential. A balanced mix of funding sources increases financial sustainability and ensures long-term nonprofit scalability. Therefore, you must learn to explore multiple funding opportunities, such as:

  • Grants: Apply for local, state, and national grants using strong grant writing strategies.
  • Individual Donations: Cultivate relationships with individual donors through campaigns and stewardship programs.
  • Corporate Sponsorships: Partner with businesses that align with your cause for financial or in-kind support.
  • Membership Programs: Offer membership benefits that encourage recurring contributions.
  • Fundraising Events: Host auctions, charity runs, benefit concerts, or virtual campaigns.
  • Earned Income: Consider selling branded merchandise or offering fee-based services related to your mission.

Strengthen Your Online Presence

In today’s digital world, a strong online presence is essential for nonprofit expansion, reaching new donors, engaging volunteers, and increasing awareness. If you’re looking for digital solutions on how to grow a small nonprofit, start with these steps:

  • Optimize Your Website: Make sure it’s user-friendly, mobile-responsive, and has clear calls to action for donations and volunteer sign-ups.
  • Use Social Media Wisely: A strong social media strategy is key—post regularly on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter to engage your audience.
  • Leverage Email Marketing: Build an email list and send updates, impact stories, and fundraising appeals.
  • Improve SEO: Optimize your website content to rank higher in search results and attract organic traffic.
  • Launch Online Fundraising Campaigns: Use crowdfunding and digital fundraising strategies to reach a wider audience.

Create an Engaging Volunteer Program

Volunteer engagement is the backbone of many nonprofits. A well-structured volunteer program can boost your impact and extend your reach without significantly increasing costs.

How to Build a Strong Volunteer Program:

  • Attract Passionate Volunteers: Seek individuals who truly believe in your cause and have relevant skills.
  • Provide Clear Roles: Define responsibilities to ensure efficiency and avoid confusion.
  • Offer Training and Support: Capacity-building training equips volunteers with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed.
  • Show Appreciation: Recognize their efforts through thank-you notes, social media shoutouts, and volunteer appreciation events.

Remember, when volunteers feel valued, they become long-term advocates for your organization.

Build Meaningful Community Partnerships

Building community engagement is another crucial factor for growing a small nonprofit. Partnering with businesses, other nonprofits, and community organizations can provide valuable resources, increase your reach, and strengthen your impact.

How to Build Strong Partnerships:

  • Engage Local Businesses: Seek sponsorships, donations, or volunteer support.
  • Collaborate with Other Nonprofits: Work together on shared initiatives to maximize impact.
  • Tap into Government Resources: Apply for public grants and leverage community programs.
  • Work with Faith-Based and Civic Groups: Many churches, mosques, and civic groups are eager to support local causes.

Measure and Showcase Your Impact

People want to know that their contributions make a difference. You must demonstrate your nonprofit’s impact as it builds trust and encourages continued support. The more tangible your results, the more likely people will invest in your mission.

How to Prove Your Impact:

  • Set Clear Metrics: Use program evaluation methods to track key indicators like the number of people served or measurable community improvements.
  • Collect Data: Use surveys, testimonials, and tracking tools for impact measurement.
  • Share Impact Reports: Publish stories, statistics, and visuals in annual reports and marketing materials.
  • Use Testimonials: Highlight real-life stories from beneficiaries, donors, and volunteers.

Build a Strong and Committed Leadership Team

A strong leadership team—including staff, board members, and key volunteers—sets the tone for nonprofit scalability and sustainability.

  • Invest in Leadership Development: Capacity-building training for nonprofit leadership ensures long-term success.
  • Recruit Skilled Board Members: Board development is essential—seek individuals with fundraising, legal, financial, and marketing expertise.
  • Empower Staff and Volunteers: Staff retention improves when they have opportunities to take initiative and grow in their roles.

Stay Flexible and Innovative

Being flexible and innovative is one basic attribute you must possess if you want to grow your small nonprofit. The nonprofit sector is constantly evolving, and organizations that adapt are more likely to thrive. In other words, being adaptable ensures your nonprofit stays relevant and continues making an impact.

  • Monitor Trends: Stay informed about industry trends, donor behaviors, and fundraising strategies.
  • Embrace New Ideas: Experiment with innovative nonprofit management and outreach methods.
  • Use Technology Wisely: Invest in nonprofit management software, donor databases, and automation tools to increase efficiency.
  • Listen to Feedback: Engage with your community and supporters to refine your approach.

About Our Guest, Ang Adamiak from Arts & Scraps

Ang Adamiak is the Executive Director of Arts & Scraps. She is passionate about Detroit, environmentalism, creativity, and education equity. She has worked with children and volunteers for over 20 years and in arts administration for over a decade. Ang is most excited by the community strength we collectively create when we come together for impact.

Learn About Stephen Halasnik

Stephen Halasnik is a Managing Partner at Financing Solutions, the largest provider of lines of credit to small nonprofits in 48 states since 2012. Mr. Halasnik has hosted the popular The Nonprofit MBA Podcast since 2018. The podcast brings experts together to discuss fundraising, nonprofit grants, executive director leadership, nonprofit boards, and other essential topics. You can learn more about the nonprofit line of credit program here.