Nonprofit Management 101: The 9 Skills You Need

Starting a nonprofit, leading, or working for a nonprofit? Here are 9 skills you need for nonprofit management and leadership. #Nonprofits #Nonprofit #StartingANonprofit
I am a nonprofit founder who now works full time as the Executive Director for the nonprofit I started many years ago. I grew my skills at nonprofit management and leadership over several years - I definitely didn’t start with them! But, looking back, if I’d known all it would take to successfully run my nonprofit organization, I would have invested more in some areas earlier on.
If you are starting a nonprofit, thinking about it, or have just started a nonprofit, or KNOW someone who is trying to start a nonprofit, I hope this helps!
ALSO: My Nonprofit FOUNDER TO FULL-TIME ACADEMY is now open!! foundertofulltime.com/
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// CHAPTERS
0:00 Introduction
02:20 Strategic Planning
04:29 Board Governance
06:65 Human Resources
08:02 Volunteer Management
10:10 Collaborations and Partnerships
11:55 Fundraising
14:25 Legal and Financial Management
16:01 Technology
17:49 Marketing and Public Relations
// MORE ABOUT ME
Hi! I’m Amber, a nonprofit founder, Executive Director, and public speaker on social impact, changemaking, nonprofits, leadership, and more.
Join my newsletter to receive updates and resources for changemakers and nonprofit leaders: tinyurl.com/nonprofitsandchan...
FOUNDER TO FULL-TIME ACADEMY: Want some training and guidance on starting a nonprofit (and potentially even working for that nonprofit full-time someday?)? Check out my online training courses at my Nonprofit Founder to Full-Time Academy! foundertofulltime.com/
Want me to come speak at your business, college, school, or event? Check out my site: ambermsmith.com/
On Facebook? Talk to me and other change makers about social change, nonprofits, social enterprise, leadership and more in my Facebook group, Change the World or Bust: / changetheworldorbust
I'm also on Twitter: / ambermelsmith

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Some resources for you! My newsletter to receive updates and opportunities for changemakers and nonprofit leaders: tinyurl.com/nonprofitsandchangemakers

[@layasaul28]

Great video, thanks again, Amber! There's a LOT to this. My advice for anyone embarking on this journey to build a non-profit: 1) watch all of Amber's videos, and 2) keep taking the next step and the next step.

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

:) Thanks Laya! There is so much, YES! And it takes time and patience to learn and work through the challenges. That's one skill I left out: Patience!

[@jeffgoatley]

Thank you, thank you & thank you. Just the info I need to hear!

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Yay! Glad it was helpful!

[@laurifrancis4206]

Great!! Onto the next video! Thank you!

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Yay! Thanks for watching!

[@37malfred]

Great info Amber! Thank you so much!

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

You are so welcome!

[@edmasi]

This was excellent! Thank you so much!

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Glad it was helpful!

[@billmusk4002]

Thank you for the knowledge.

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

My pleasure!

[@paulhosch1584]

Great topic. I think you covered it all. One area I feel npos struggle, and should be much better at and far more intentional, is mission auditing, both internally and externally. I’m not sure which of the 9 skills it would fall under, but I’ve seen mission drift that can have an npo now wondering what they’re doing and why are they doing it. So, I guess the skill would be the ability to take a step back every few years and do a mission audit. Really good topics. Last week I sent a beginning npo you way. You’re doing good work! Keep it up!

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Thanks Paul, I agree, and that would be another great skill! It's hard - you never THINK you'll experience "mission creep" from the beginning. Thanks for sending someone my way - appreciate it!

[@willieakpan9272]

Thank you Amber That was insightful

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Thanks for watching, Willie!

[@adharmalong721]

Thanks so much. U nailed everything.

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Yay! Thank you for watching!

[@erdaluzel2210]

Thanks for the video. l am the founder of non-profit organization in Adana,Türkiye. Especially we worked a lot after the biggest earthquake.

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Thanks for watching, welcome to the channel!

[@erickrangili7547]

You are doing a great work. Thank you Amber.

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Thank you Erick!

[@aquaculture8028]

She is the nicest!!! Thanks again!

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

😀

[@starfieldsus]

You're simply wonderful! Thank you for your expertise! Much appreciated!

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Thank you kindly!

[@HurreJunior]

Thank You Amber, this was very helpful

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ernesttwomley5157]

Awsome video Amber you total pointed me in the right directs.

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Yay! Glad it was helpful!

[@kowsarkhan7239]

great info Thank you!

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

My pleasure!

[@lyellotis8216]

Great topics and advice. Thank you for the clarity and knowledge sharing. This is truly what the doctor ordered.

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

You are so welcome!

[@angelavarcasia1281]

You’re amazing!

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

:) Thanks for watching!

[@kabererekyalo6412]

Amber you are such a great help to my upcoming organization. May God bless you for me.

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

I'm so glad the content is helpful!!

[@ltggill]

Wonderful summary for anyone planning to start and manage a nonprofit. Well done Amber!

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Thanks! Glad it was helpful!

[@Debbysdiaries]

love it, thanks

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Thanks for watching!

[@FOTMtv9317]

Well you are absolutely beautiful and I like the way you teach. Thank you for the much needed information. God bless, Shalom

[@GrowRite]

This is a very useful and educating video. We just started a nonprofit and this sure helps.

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

I'm so glad it helps!!

[@thestepupprogram6819]

Awesome!

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

:)

[@MizanurRahmanAnsarii]

Thank You Amber Melanie, Lots of love for you ❤️♥️💖

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Hope you liked the video!

[@joankateme6057]

Thanks so. Much Mrs Amber Smith. Am on the journey of starting up an NGO in Uganda, and this message has been of great help. God bless you

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

So glad to hear it! Thanks for watching!

[@bhekidlamini8717]

I am really learning a lot Amber from your teachings ,I am now co ordinating a Non profit Organisation for my neighbourhood sisters so I learn indeed i will be involved with them providing support there in . I am gaining so much knowledge from you tanx

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

So happy to hear it!

[@Michealtetani]

Thanks i have learned something new today 😊

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

:) Awesome!

[@CauseSpecialist]

Great tips 🙏😊

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Thank you! Glad it was helpful!

[@zenbenstudios1992]

Thanks for existing you saved the day/year life for being here in this time Amber ✨😎🔥🥳 yay 🌞

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Yay! Thanks for watching!

[@livinglife2121]

Very nice video thanks

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Glad it was helpful!

[@TomyEdenson-ps1zr]

Good lectures

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Glad they are helpful!

[@rmgrunt4304]

Hi Amber! I appreciate that you share your expertise with us, I’ve learned so much! One question I have is regarding social media. We’re a new, small 501(c)(3), and in my research, I interpreted that it was wise to create a “private” Facebook page where people have to request to join our group. Just scrolling Facebook, no one can read about us or see our posts, unless they are a member. My gut instinct is now wondering if I should have went with a public nonprofit Facebook page instead? Why would I want to make it hard for anyone to follow us? Should I recreate a nonprofit profile and invite all of our members, (about 250), to follow us there? Thank you!! Mandy

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Hey Mandy! I think with any social media you have to ask yourself 2 questions: 1) Who is your audience / where and how do they engage with social media (example: Gen Z may be more Instagram / TikTok; Baby Boomers / some Millennials may be more Facebook, etc.) and 2) What are your organization's goals with social media - to gain new followers, or to engage / build a close community with your existing audience? There's no wrong or right way to do social media because every organization is different, but consider those things and that may help you find your unique path!

[@mdianga0103]

Great

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Thanks :)

[@GodcreatedMyworld]

such a great information! How I wished I had this knowledge when I registered a nonprofit in 2014/15. Then, there was an earthquake in south Korea and I ended up leaving US and spending time there and totally forgot about the complaince issues. I was filing with IRS but the rest I totally forgot. Recently I realized it was revoked. How do we reinstate it? Then, I realized there are thousands upon thousands of nonprofits that have been revoked. Any insight into this ?

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Hey there! This IRS page may help with the reinstatement question! www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/charitable-organizations/automatic-revocation-how-to-have-your-tax-exempt-status-reinstated#:~:text=Complete%20and%20submit%20Form%201023%2C%20Form%201024%20or%20Form%201024,List%20on%20the%20IRS%20website.

[@KLM7394]

Awesome help 🤘

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Glad it helped!

[@CarlSmith-ri2yf]

Thanks for the video. How do I find trustees in the process of opening a cic ? Thanks again.

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

I'd start with clear, written documentation of the type of skills/experiences you want them to have.

[@danielcitizenman5510]

God bless you Amber.

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Thanks Daniel, hope you're well :)

[@danielcitizenman5510]

@@AmberMelanieSmith Yup!!I was sharing your Sunday training with the Non Profit's President I am helping here in NYC. He and his wife deal with the Volunteer component. I like your insight.

[@Jacquesmyers1031]

Wow. I think I need help in all these areas.

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

So did I when I was starting! I'm still growing and learning, too!

[@tigerlily48]

Sometimes is a better borrow and asking for money and than the boss dont want to give a job

[@thelivingwaterministrypakistan]

Thanks

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Hope it was helpful!

[@ShashankChaganty]

When recruiting an executive team at the beginning should I ask them to engage pro bona for initial 6-12 months ? What is your advice on asking team members to donate a significant amount of their time and what can I offer them in return?

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Hey there, do you mean a Board of Directors? Boards are generally volunteer/unpaid.

[@TomyEdenson-ps1zr]

What are the necessary documents for a new partnership

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Depends on the kind of partnership. Typically you'd want some kind of "memorandum of understanding" to outline the responsibilities of each party.

[@Queen_V333]

Hello Amber, I sent a request to join your FB group but have not received a response yet. Hoping to receive access so that I can join the conversation!

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Just saw it - you should be all set now! Welcome to the group! :)

[@Queen_V333]

@@AmberMelanieSmith awesome, thank you!

[@rockskipper5353]

How much power do non profit organizations have with government? How much of that power is in the hands of the owner of the nonprofit? What happens to the nonprofit when the owner of the non profit dies?

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

I talk about this in some of my other videos - nonprofits are tax exempt and are 'owned' by the community (not the founder). Nonprofits are supposed to send all their assets to another tax exempt nonprofit, ideally one with a similar mission, if the nonprofit gets disbanded by its board of directors.

[@rockskipper5353]

@@AmberMelanieSmith how do you make sure the community running the non profit, doesn't try doing shady things, with the power they hold in the non profit. Like running the organization to the ground ? Or environmental disasters under the name of the organization.

[@TomyEdenson-ps1zr]

How can I really meet my goals in poverty ?

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

What are your goals?

[@angelbertnde66]

I'm in Nigeria. I'm an Ambazonian African. And I am starting a nonprofit organization that will work on the rights and welfare of the African refugee. I am a refugee of the Ambazonia war of independence, myself. I need support.

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

I hope the videos are helpful!

[@angelbertnde66]

@@AmberMelanieSmith very helpful !

[@randyaralar8718]

mam . i want to cteate fund raise her i' my comunity.. Help me. Mam for this fund raising .. For the senior sitizen of my barangay. We need a financial support

[@user-go7hh6vr8i]

Great topics and advice. Thank you for the clarity and knowledge sharing. This is truly what the doctor ordered.

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Glad it was helpful!