Becoming a Nonprofit Prophet: Guidance for Clergy and Community Leaders

In this episode, Rev. Dr. Ambrose Carroll is joined by Rev. Dr. Michael Smith, Pastor of McGee Avenue Baptist Church and Founder of the Center for Food, Faith, and Justice. Together, they explore the journey of building and sustaining nonprofit organizations within faith communities. Rev. Dr. Smith discusses his decades of experience in nonprofit work, emphasizing the importance of aligning mission with God's calling, practical steps to establishing a nonprofit, and how to effectively leverage public and private funding. This conversation is a must-listen for clergy, community leaders, and anyone interested in the intersection of faith and community service.

Topics Discussed in This Episode:

Importance of Nonprofits in Faith Communities: Discussion of the critical role that nonprofit organizations play in serving marginalized communities and how they can access significant public and private funding, especially in the wake of the Inflation Reduction Act.

Rev. Dr. Smith’s Journey: Insight into Rev. Dr. Smith’s professional journey, including his work with the East Bay Conservation Corps and Upward Bound, and how these experiences shaped his approach to community service.

Starting a Nonprofit: Practical advice for clergy on how to establish a nonprofit organization, including the importance of aligning the mission with God’s calling, setting up legal and financial structures, and building a strong, resourceful team.

Guiding Principles and Business Plans: The necessity of having guiding principles and a living business plan to ensure the success and sustainability of nonprofit initiatives.

Leveraging Funding Opportunities: How to identify and apply for grants and other funding sources while maintaining the integrity of the faith-based mission.

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