Clare Staples
Conversation Date: May 9th, 2024 12pm CST
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How to Grow Your Nonprofit with a Scalable Strategy: Insights from the Million-Dollar Nonprofit Podcast
If you’re driven to make a difference, to have an impact, and to grow your nonprofit to new heights, then the most important asset you need is a well-executed and scalable strategy. Hi, I’m Tom Kelly, your nonprofit catalyst. You may know me as the CEO of CharityAuctionsToday and DonorBooks, or as the author of The Million-Dollar Nonprofit.
What I help nonprofits achieve is a significant edge and a clear path to substantial growth through strategic fundraising and effective community engagement. And that’s what I’m going to share with you right here on the Million-Dollar Nonprofit Podcast. In each episode, I’ll take you behind the scenes to reveal the strategies, techniques, and tactics of successful nonprofits, helping you avoid common pitfalls and drive your organization forward.
Interview with Chrissy Webb: The Evolution and Impact of Student ACES
Introduction
Welcome to the Million Dollar Nonprofit Podcast, your guide to navigating the world of nonprofit growth strategies. I’m Tom Kelly, your host from Charity Auctions Today. Today, we are joined by Chrissy Webb, the founder of Student ACES. Chrissy’s journey from a conversation with her father to building an impactful organization dedicated to developing young leaders is both inspiring and instructive. Join us as we delve into Chrissy’s experiences, insights, and strategies for scaling nonprofits with purpose and passion.
Student ACES: Evolution and Mission
Chrissy Webb shares the origin story of Student ACES, which stands for Athletics, Community, and Education. In 2012, Chrissy and her father were inspired to create an organization focused on developing future leaders. From that initial conversation, Student ACES has grown to offer five programs dedicated to character and leadership development throughout South Florida. Their mission is to create champions by instilling core values and character education in young people.
Success Stories and Impact
Chrissy highlights several success stories, including their significant impact in Belglade, an impoverished community in Palm Beach County. In 2019, Bank of America donated a building to Student ACES, which now serves as a daily program hub for high school student-athletes. The organization receives positive feedback from former students, now in their late twenties, who attribute their success to the lessons learned in the program.
Measuring Success and Effectiveness
Initially, the success of Student ACES was gauged through testimonials and visible transformations in students. However, Chrissy and her team recognized the need for hard data. They brought on an evaluator to fine-tune their programs, making them research-informed to measure aspects like hope and resiliency. This strategic move has helped them provide concrete proof of their program’s effectiveness.
Fundraising and Garnering Support
Chrissy explains that building relationships has been key to their fundraising success. Initially, her father funded the organization, ensuring they had a solid program before seeking external funding. They now have a diversified funding portfolio, including businesses, private foundations, individual donors, and events. Chrissy emphasizes the importance of working closely with partners to tailor support to their needs, rather than offering a one-size-fits-all menu.
Challenges with Private Foundations
Navigating private foundations is a challenging but rewarding aspect of fundraising. Chrissy advises persistence and building relationships, even if it takes years to see results. She also emphasizes the importance of understanding each foundation’s interests and aligning proposals accordingly.
Qualities in Mentors and Community Leaders
Chrissy stresses the importance of reliability and commitment in mentors. Businesspeople and influencers must understand the impact they have on young people and avoid making empty promises. Student ACES employs a group mentoring approach to ensure consistency and support for their students.
Balancing Roles as a Leader, Mentor, and Mom
Chrissy candidly shares the challenges of balancing her roles. She highlights the importance of organization, delegation, and honesty in managing her responsibilities. Despite the challenges, she finds joy in her work and draws energy from the young people she serves.
Personal Impact and Full Circle Moments
Chrissy shares touching stories of former students who have come full circle, working with Student ACES or pursuing significant opportunities. These moments are a testament to the lasting impact of the program and provide Chrissy with immense pride and fulfillment.
Advice for Nonprofit Leaders
Chrissy offers valuable advice for nonprofit leaders: be prepared for different levels of hard work as the organization grows, never stop working hard, and ensure financial sustainability. She stresses the importance of having reserves and being aware of funding trends to navigate financial challenges.
Advice for Young People
Chrissy encourages young people to outwork others, keep learning, and develop critical thinking skills. She emphasizes the importance of questioning and thinking for themselves, rather than relying on information from social media.
Vision and Goals for the Future
Looking ahead, Chrissy aims to expand Student ACES by making their programs replicable in other communities. They are currently working on refining their curriculum to ensure consistent impact across different locations. The goal is to create a sustainable model that can be scaled to serve more students effectively.
Getting Involved
Chrissy invites listeners to learn more about Student ACES and get involved through their website, studentaces.org. She also encourages new nonprofit leaders to reach out for advice and support.
Conclusion
Thank you for joining us for this insightful episode with Chrissy Webb. Her dedication to developing young leaders through Student ACES offers valuable lessons for anyone looking to make a positive impact. Stay tuned for more episodes of the Million Dollar Nonprofit Podcast, where we continue to explore strategies and stories behind impactful organizations.
Krissy Webb
Author, Founder
Krissy Webb is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Student ACES, a nonprofit dedicated to inspiring and developing young men and women of character, honor, and integrity. With over 12 years of leadership experience in the nonprofit sector, Krissy has positively impacted over 50,000 high school student athletes through leadership training, values education, and character development.
Since founding Student ACES in 2013, Krissy has significantly increased program participation and quadrupled fundraising efforts. Under her leadership, Bank of America donated a building in Belle Glade, transformed into the Student ACES Center (The SAC), which supports student-athletes’ academic, athletic, and personal growth in the Glades Region.
A certified instructor of Mental Health First Aid, Krissy lives in Palm Beach Gardens with her husband and twin daughters. She mentors hundreds of children and is known for her personal dedication to saving lives. When not working with high school students, Krissy coaches the ACES Elite softball team, a unique research-backed travel softball program. Her unwavering passion for youth development and commitment to fostering strong leaders is evident in her work and dedication.