Start & Grow Your Nonprofit Podcast

In this episode of the Start & Grow Your Nonprofit Podcast, Tim Needham is joined again by his longtime friend and partner in nonprofit leadership, Lilly Blake, Co-Founder and Director of Programming at Restoration House STL. This time, they're doing things a little differently. Through a series of "petty confessions" and nonprofit courtroom scenarios, Tim and Lilly share some of the funny, questionable, and downright relatable experiences they've encountered while building and leading a nonprofit together. But underneath the laughs are some important lessons for anyone starting or growing an organization. They talk about the importance of building structure and procedures as your nonprofit grows, setting healthy boundaries around partnerships, learning how to manage volunteers, and having the tough conversations that protect your organization's culture. They also dig into fundraising expectations, the pressure nonprofit leaders carry, and the importance of building a sustainable organization that doesn't depend entirely on your personal energy and sacrifice. Whether you're just getting started or have been leading a nonprofit for years, you'll probably recognize a little bit of yourself in this conversation. And hopefully, you'll walk away feeling encouraged to learn from your mistakes, embrace the awkward moments, and keep growing. About our guest Lilly Blake is the Co-Founder and Director of Programming at Restoration House STL. Alongside Tim Needham, she has helped build and grow an organization serving homeless and at-risk young adults in St. Louis, MO. Her experience leading programs and navigating the realities of nonprofit operations brings a practical, honest perspective to this conversation. You can reach out to Lilly at [email protected]. Learn more about Restoration House STL at https://restorationhousestl.org.

In this episode, coach Tim Needham sits down with Quentin Monden, Executive Director of the Sibling Transformation Project, to talk about building a sustainable nonprofit, creating meaningful community partnerships, and finding grant funding that aligns with your mission. Quentin's work is deeply personal. As the older brother of a sibling with autism, he understands the unique challenges families can face when navigating disability, caregiving, and access to resources. Today, he leads an organization dedicated to supporting siblings of disabled people through caregiving resources, mental health support, and disability justice initiatives. During their conversation, Quentin shares how collaboration can help nonprofits expand their reach without taking on unnecessary overhead, why building relationships with funders matters, and how his organization secured a $50,000 general operating grant. He also offers practical advice for finding the right funding opportunities, demonstrating your impact, and knowing when to walk away from money that could pull your organization away from its mission. Whether you're just starting your nonprofit or looking for ways to grow sustainably, this conversation is a reminder that you don't have to do everything alone, and that the right relationships can make a tremendous difference. You can find out more about Sibling Transformation Project by visiting their website, or check them out on Facebook or Instagram. You can learn more about Quentin and connect on his personal website, LinkedIn, or Instagram. You can also email Quentin at [email protected] Resources mentioned in this episode: - National Council of Nonprofits: A resource for nonprofit organizations and state-level nonprofit support. - BoardSource: Resources for nonprofit boards and leadership. - Grant Writing Made Easy: A grant-writing resource Quentin discusses during the episode. - Nonprofit Academy

In Part 2 of Tim's chat with Chad Fisher, the conversation moves to the practical realities of building and growing an organization like Restore the Wonder. Chad shares how Restore the Wonder grew from a small idea into a nonprofit with hundreds of volunteers, multiple churches involved, and an annual budget exceeding $100,000. He explains how they built a community around the mission, developed partnerships, approached fundraising, and learned to say yes to what they could realistically sustain. Chad also shares the advice he would give to someone starting a nonprofit today: start with a burden, not a brand, and dream bigger. Topics discussed include: Growing from a small idea into a sustainable nonprofit Building a volunteer base and engaging churches Learning from other organizations through partnerships and job shadowing Creating scalable ways for people to support the mission You can find out more information about Restore The Wonder by visiting their website, or by checking them out on Instagram or Facebook.

Welcome to Season 2! In this episode, Tim sits down with Chad Fisher, founder of Restore the Wonder, a faith-based nonprofit serving children who have experienced abuse and abandonment. Chad shares the deeply personal story behind the organization and how his own experience with childhood brokenness ultimately became part of a mission to help other children experience healing, hope, and the freedom to simply be kids. Through Restore the Wonder's faith-based summer camp and other initiatives, Chad and his team intentionally create an environment where children feel safe, valued, seen, and understood. Topics discussed include: Turning personal brokenness into a mission to serve others Building a culture of safety, belonging, and joy Why nonprofit leaders must intentionally create, cultivate, and protect their organizational culture You can find out more information about Restore The Wonder by visiting their website, or by checking them out on Instagram or Facebook.

In this inspiring episode, nonprofit coach Tim Needham sits down with Jaime Zayas, founder and Executive Director of Kinetic Tapestry, a faith-based circus and theater company that's redefining what entertainment can look like when it's rooted in purpose. Jaime shares the incredible story of how his love for performance and ministry came together to form Kinetic Tapestry—a nonprofit that brings creativity, community, and Christ-centered storytelling to the stage. Together, Tim and Jaime talk about what it means to live out your calling with boldness, creativity, and faith. Whether you're an artist, ministry leader, or nonprofit entrepreneur, this conversation will encourage you to embrace your unique gifts and pursue the vision God's placed in your heart. We'll discuss: Merging creativity, faith, and community impact The challenges and rewards of pioneering a unique nonprofit model Staying faithful to your calling through seasons of change Building a team and culture that reflect your mission To learn more about Kinetic Tapestry, visit their website or connect with them on Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube. To learn more about the new facility campaign for Kinetic Tapestry, visit https://www.kinetictapestry.org/macc. To visit and join the Start & Grow Your Nonprofit private Facebook group, visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/startandgrowyournonprofit. Have a question for our coaches? Visit our podcast page. For more information about Nonprofit Academy and to download our free resources, visit http://startandgrowyournonprofit.com/. To contact Tim, email [email protected].

In this episode, nonprofit coaches Tim Needham and Mary Valloni sit down with Erin Wells, Administrative Director for Restoration House STL, to talk about what it looks like to keep your nonprofit organized, efficient, and mission-focused behind the scenes. Erin shares how she stepped into nonprofit administration, the systems that keep Restoration House running smoothly, and how her role supports both the leadership team and the young adults they serve. Together, they explore the value of structure, communication, and faith when juggling the many moving pieces of a growing organization. Whether you're a founder trying to build your team or an admin looking to refine your processes, this conversation will leave you encouraged and equipped. We'll discuss: The balance between structure and flexibility in operations How organization supports mission and team culture Navigating challenges and maintaining clear communication The spiritual and practical sides of nonprofit leadership To learn more about Restoration House STL, visit their website or connect with them on Facebook or Instagram. To contact Erin, email [email protected] To visit and join the Start & Grow Your Nonprofit private Facebook group, visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/startandgrowyournonprofit. Have a question for our coaches? Visit our podcast page. For more information about Nonprofit Academy and to download our free resources, visit http://startandgrowyournonprofit.com/. To contact Tim, email [email protected]. To contact Mary, email [email protected].

In this episode, nonprofit coaches Tim Needham and Mary Valloni are joined by Lilly Blake, Director of Programming for Restoration House STL. Together, they unpack the challenges and opportunities of building strong programming that truly meets the needs of the community. Lilly shares her firsthand experience designing and managing programs for young adults and how she balances structure, flexibility, and compassion in her work. The conversation highlights the importance of being intentional, adaptable, and rooted in your mission when it comes to programming. Whether you're developing your first program or refining existing ones, this episode offers practical insights and encouragement for nonprofit leaders at every stage. We'll discuss: Designing impactful programming with intentionality Balancing structure and flexibility in nonprofit programs Meeting real needs while staying true to your mission The role of leadership and collaboration in program success To learn more about Restoration House STL, visit their website or connect with them on Facebook or Instagram. To contact Lilly, email [email protected] To visit and join the Start & Grow Your Nonprofit private Facebook group, visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/startandgrowyournonprofit. Have a question for our coaches? Visit our podcast page. For more information about Nonprofit Academy and to download our free resources, visit http://startandgrowyournonprofit.com/. To contact Tim, email [email protected]. To contact Mary, email [email protected].

In this episode, nonprofit coach and Executive Director Tim Needham sits down with Dr. David Docusen, author of Neighborhoods & Nations, founder of The Neighborliness Center, and President of International Ministry Network. David's passion is helping leaders bridge divides, foster community, and create practical solutions that meet both spiritual and physical needs. Together, Tim and David dive into what it looks like to engage neighborhoods with compassion, generosity, and a long-term vision for transformation. David shares lessons from his own journey of leading churches and nonprofits, as well as the importance of empowering local leaders and building partnerships that last. Whether you're in the early stages of launching your nonprofit or looking to deepen your community impact, this conversation will inspire you to think bigger and love deeper. They discuss:  Building authentic community partnerships The power of generosity and compassion in community work The importance of equity and access in serving communities Staying rooted in your mission during challenges and change Empowering local leaders and fostering collaboration To find the Holistic Community Development Framework mentioned in this episode, go to https://neighborliness.com/resources/. To learn more about International Ministry Network, visit their website. To learn more about The Neighborliness Center, visit their website. For more information about David, visit his website or connect with him on Facebook or Instagram. You can also purchase his books on Amazon. To visit and join the Start & Grow Your Nonprofit private Facebook group, visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/startandgrowyournonprofit. Have a question for our coaches? Visit our podcast page. For more information about Nonprofit Academy and to download our free resources, visit http://startandgrowyournonprofit.com/. To contact Tim, email [email protected].

In this episode, Tim sits down with marketing strategist and former missionary Duane Zingale. Duane shares how his journey from the mission field to marketing taught him the importance of storytelling, vision, and building true community around a cause. Here's what we'll cover: Duane's journey from missionary work to marketing expert Why every nonprofit needs a guiding "movement manifest" How stories create connection, trust, and advocacy The balance between vision and organizational structure Whether you're just starting your nonprofit or leading an established organization, this conversation will challenge you to think beyond tactics and lean into strategy, vision, and authentic human connection. For more information on Duane Zingale, and to download his free resource, The LISTEN Framework visit his website. Listen to the Marketing Your Movement Podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. To visit and join the Start & Grow Your Nonprofit private Facebook group, visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/startandgrowyournonprofit. Have a question for our coaches? Visit our podcast page. For more information about Nonprofit Academy and to download our free resources, visit http://startandgrowyournonprofit.com/. To contact Tim, email [email protected]. To contact Mary, email [email protected].

Welcome to Start & Grow: Rewind, where we're bringing back some of our most popular and impactful episodes from the archives. Some conversations change how we think about building meaningful organizations. In this Rewind episode, host Tim Needham sits down with Bob Stergos, co-founder and Executive Director of A Seat at the Table, for one of those transformative discussions. This conversation goes beyond Bob's inspiring work. It dives deep into one of the most essential skills for nonprofit leaders: how to cast a vision that invites others to see themselves as part of your story. Whether you're in the early stages of building your nonprofit or looking to deepen community engagement around your existing organization, Bob's insights on storytelling, vision-casting, and authentic relationship-building will provide the guidance you need. For more information about A Seat at the Table, visit their website or follow them on Facebook or YouTube. For more information about Nonprofit Academy and to download our free resources, visit: http://startandgrowyournonprofit.com To visit and join the Start & Grow Your Nonprofit private Facebook group, visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/startandgrowyournonprofit. Have a question for our coaches? Visit our podcast page. Contact Tim at [email protected] Contact Mary at [email protected]