Mistakes I’ve Made As A Nonprofit Founder — And What They Cost Me
When I started NotJustYou six years ago, I was full of passion, big ideas, and an unshakable belief in the mission. What I didn’t have? A manual on how to run a nonprofit efficiently. And let’s be real—learning on the job comes with its fair share of mistakes.
If there's one thing I've learned in my time leading a nonprofit, it's that financial strain is a BIG boo-boo in the nonprofit world. Every decision, every dollar spent (or misspent), has a ripple effect, and some of my biggest mistakes stemmed from not fully understanding this in the early years.
When passion and a rookie mistake collide
Running a nonprofit isn’t all wins and heartwarming moments—sometimes it’s stress, self-doubt, and the very real weight of responsibility. This photo? A snapshot of one of those raw moments, when I realized that good intentions alone don’t pay the bills or sustain an organization.
Who better to have this conversation with than you, my community, who have seen my journey unfold in real-time? Looking back, there are a few key mistakes that stand out. These weren’t just little stumbles; they were full-blown, “Oh no, what have I done?” moments. But every mistake came with a lesson that helped shape me into the leader I am today.
Mistake #1: thinking I could handle the money alone.
If I could give my younger self one piece of advice, it would be: You are NOT the best person to manage the organization’s money.
Not because I’m bad with numbers, but because my passion got in the way of financial discipline. When you're so close to the vision, everything feels like it’s worth the investment. Every dollar that came in felt like it should be spent immediately to make an impact. I didn’t give myself enough financial guardrails, and that led to overspending in ways that weren’t always sustainable.
One of the biggest shifts for me was realizing that outsourcing financial management—or at least having someone I was accountable to—wasn’t just a good idea, it was necessary. It provided:
Emotional distance: Someone else telling me, “No, we can’t afford this right now,” made it easier for me to accept reality.
Better financial stability: The organization needed short-term and long-term financial health, not just immediate impact.
Protection from manipulation: People can take advantage when they know you're passionate. Having an external financial structure helped protect both me and the organization.
The moment I stopped treating NotJustYou’s finances like my personal mission fund and started running it like the organization it is, things changed for the better.
Mistake #2: not learning to negotiate like a nonprofit.
Early on, I didn’t bargain enough. I was running NotJustYou as if we were a big business with deep pockets, rather than a nonprofit that needed to stretch every dollar.
I wasn’t confident enough to advocate for lower prices, negotiate better deals, or even ask for in-kind donations when they were available. Instead, I operated with a “just pay it” mentality, which put unnecessary strain on our finances.
What I’ve learned since then is that every dollar saved is another dollar that can be invested back into the mission. Now, I:
Negotiate vendor rates like any other nonprofit would.
Ask for nonprofit discounts (because many businesses are willing to offer them!).
Prioritize our budget in a way that ensures financial sustainability.
Do not be mistaken though, I’ve always believed in paying people their worth– BUT I had to come to terms with the fact that I am indeed not Mr. Money with the vibes right now. Running a nonprofit isn't about throwing money at problems or operating like a big corporation—it’s about sustainability, strategy, and being a responsible steward of resources.
Mistake #3: holding on to the wrong people for too long.
One of my hardest lessons was realizing that liking someone and them being good for the organization are two different things.
Whenever I hired or collaborated with someone I had a good relationship with, I found myself hesitating when they weren’t performing to the standard I needed. I was so worried about how it would look if I let them go—how they would feel, how others would perceive me—that I held onto underperforming team members for way too long.
The longer I waited, the more damage it did:
NotJustYou suffered—projects didn’t get done right, deadlines got missed, and efficiency dropped.
I suffered—mentally, emotionally, and professionally. I felt like a bad leader for not being firm, but also felt guilty about even thinking of letting them go.
The reality is: Leadership isn’t about being liked. It’s about making the best decisions for the mission. And sometimes, that means having tough conversations and making tough calls.
Final Thoughts
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that mistakes are inevitable, but growth is a choice. Every misstep, every financial fumble, every moment of doubt—it’s all part of the journey. And while I wish I had known these lessons sooner, I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything.
For anyone out there building something—whether it’s a nonprofit, a business, or a personal passion project—just know that mistakes don’t define you. How you learn from them does.
So, what are some of the biggest lessons you’ve learned in your leadership journey? Let’s talk about it in the comments!
Succeed With Me
I believe most people are only three steps away from establishing a personal and professional brand that they love. Book a success session with me to get started with 1:1 consulting that helps you achieve your craziest dreams.
