If you are a nonprofit founder, you've probably realized by now that running a nonprofit isn't easy!
Besides the specific legal requirements of running a 501c3, this work requires you to understand how a nonprofit board works, how to fundraise for your nonprofit, stay in compliance, and how to market your work, among SO MANY other things. That can be overwhelming.
After many years of working with nonprofits at different stages, we've designed the Nonprofit Incubator to teach founders how to run scalable nonprofits that make a difference. During eight weeks, our team will guide you step-by-step through the process of growing an organization, navigating the world of nonprofits, and securing the funds you need to realize your mission.
For the next cohort of our program, we are partnering with Givebutter to provide 20 nonprofit organizations with the tools and resources to help them run scalable nonprofits that make a difference. Thanks to Givebutter, selected organizations will receive a full scholarship to participate in the program and the opportunity to apply for up to $4,000 in grant funds after completing the program.
Our program includes:
Eight (8) live workshops on nonprofit management, including one workshop from our partner, Givebutter, on attracting and engaging individual donors.
Review of your fundraising campaign from the Givebutter team.
Access to our Fundraising Campaign challenge and the opportunity to receive matching funds from Mockingbird Incubator.
Lifetime discounted access to all our additional events in nonprofit management and development.
Recordings and extra resources are available on our Teachable digital learning platform.
Access to our network of expert nonprofit professionals and founders and our growing incubator cohort alumni group.
One of our participants will have the opportunity to win our $3,000 seed grant after completing the program.
2024 Program Dates
Our Spring cohort will begin on Friday, March 1st, 2024. The Incubator will run every week for eight (8) weeks on Fridays from 10 AM to 12 PM (PST) // 1 PM to 3 PM (EST). Additional office hour sessions will be scheduled depending on the selected organization’s availability. We reserve the right to change the order and dates of the workshops. The program topics include:
Strategic Planning for Founders
Goal Definition for Nonprofits
Board Development and Engagement
Creating a Successful Fundraising Plan
How to Engage Individual Donors
Marketing and Branding
Program Design and Evaluation
Including Equity in your day-to-day operations.
Price: 20 selected organizations will receive a full scholarship from givebutter to cover program tuition ($500) for the full 8-week program. To be considered, you need to have a Givebutter account. Use this link to create an account.
Program Facilitators
Jessica Payne (she/her)
Founder, Director of Research & Project Management
Jessica Payne is the founder and owner of Mockingbird Analytics, a community and non-profit research and evaluation company, which she comes to with a decade of research and evaluation project management experience in government, community and academic settings. She is also the co-founder of Mockingbird Incubator a nonprofit that provides incubation services to new and emerging nonprofits. Prior to founding Mockingbird, Jessica was the Research and Evaluation Manager for CASA of Los Angeles, where she managed large scale data system conversion projects with more than 500+ users, as well as all original research and strategic planning.
Floyd Jones (He/Him)
Director of Community & Partnerships at Givebutter
loyd Jones serves as the Director of Community & Partnerships at Givebutter, the world’s first completely free end-to-end fundraising platform powering $700M+ in donations per year for millions of changemakers, where he supports the Community team’s growth strategy via partnerships, sponsorships, strategic campaigns, and special events. Throughout his career, Floyd has worked tirelessly on building social impact communities around the world, collectively raising over $20M for grassroots organizations and speaking at over 50 conferences across America. His work and content has been featured by ESPN, AfroTech, Variety, and Wired magazine, and has been sponsored by NIKE, Whole Foods, VISA, NBA2k, and more. Floyd is also a pioneer for social justice. In 2023, he founded BackBlack, a multi-platform initiative that has raised over $1.3M for 770 Black-led nonprofits.
Rebekah Grmela (she/her)
Founder/Owner Right + Good
Rebekah Grmela is a communications activist supporting justice, equity and sustainability through access to excellent strategies for women, queer and/or BIPOC founders and nonprofits. She works with Mockingbird Analytics and Incubator to support strategic marketing and branding, content strategy, visual brand design, public engagement, board communications, volunteer advocacy, fundraising campaigning and more. Rebekah founded Right + Good in 2019 to connect people with causes through intentional and strategic communications to build capacity for mission-driven organizations.
“Before participating, the idea of runing a nonprofit was so intimidating. After going through the program, my biggest questions have been answered and I really feel like I can achieve my goals!”
LOOKING FOR training you can do at your own speed?
Start slow with our on-demand Nonprofit Management School program. Choose from a variety of recorded trainings, workshops, and checklists to get the ball rolling in your nonprofit.
Our Incubator Alumni
Meet and support our Fall 2023 Cohort here >>
FAQS
Q: WHEN AND WHERE?
A: Our next online program will begin March 1, 2024. This online program, via Zoom, takes place every week for eight (8) weeks on Fridays from 10 AM (PST) - 1 PM (EST). Find more details on our application.
Q: how do I know if the incubator program is right for me?
A: This program is perfect for you if you are:
A 501c3 nonprofit organization or under fiscal sponsorship incorporated and operating in the United States.
An activist, grassroots organizer, founder, and social justice innovator new to the nonprofit sector.
Eager to learn how to run your nonprofit because you are passionate about a cause but not sure about the administrative details.
Willing to put in the work, attend the live workshops, and complete the assignments.
Ready and committed to growing an organization and your nonprofit leadership skills.
This program is NOT for you if:
You want an easy way to start a nonprofit or don’t have an idea about the kind of work you want to do.
You don’t have the time to attend the live workshops or complete the assignments.
You're not willing to invest time in starting and growing your organization.
We also do not accept organizations whose mission is not in line with our ethical code. This includes missionary organizations, religious organizations whose intent is to proselytize, organizations whose intent is further a cause based in anti-science or conspiracy-led beliefs, booster organizations to support the work of governmental institutions, organizations whose sole purpose is “raising awareness”, lobbying, or building out a technology platform, and organizations whose purpose is racist, sexist, xenophobic, anti-science, anti-LGBTQ+, or otherwise discriminatory.
Q: DO I HAVE TO BE located IN LOS ANGELES?
A: Our workshops are 100% online. You do not need to be based in Los Angeles to be part of our program. However, we teach about U.S nonprofit governance and fundraising practices, so organizations need to be incorporated in the United States. Unfortunately, we cannot assist or provide advice to organizations outside the U.S. because that is outside our area of expertise.
Q: WHAT IS THE program COMMITMENT?
A: We host virtual live workshops every week for eight weeks. Our workshops last 90 minutes. The Incubator program is designed to help you grow your leadership skills and nonprofit vision, so you will get out of the program what you put into it. We will ask you to commit to the following:
Show up to each facilitated workshop and actively participate in the workshop teaching time.
Give program feedback
Come prepared with questions and ideas.
Q: HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
A: $500. We provide scholarships for participants, depending on funding availability.
Q: HOW do I apply for the grant you give out?
A: We offer a $3,000* grant to one participant who completes our Incubator Program. Completing our program is a requirement for applying for and receiving the grant. Our Board of Directors reviews all grant applications and is responsible for selecting the award recipients. We do not offer grants to organizations or individuals who do not participate in our program.
Our board selection criteria prioritizes projects that demonstrate innovation, sustainability, and a well-thought-out plan for making a community impact.
*Amount is subject to change based on funding availability.
Q: WHO teaches the PROGRAM?
A: Our staff has more than 40 years of combined direct service and teaching experience helping nonprofit leaders and organizations. We often have special guests from the nonprofit fields who also have many years of experience working with new and established nonprofit organizations.
Q: CAN MY TEAM PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM?
A: Our program membership includes the attendance of 1 member per organization to our workshops. If you want additional team members to participate, the fee per extra member is $200.
Any team member is welcome to participate in our incubator program. This program is designed for activists, leaders, and founders. However, board members, co-founders, and employees are welcome as well.
Consistency is the most important part of creating our Incubator community.
Q: DO YOU HAVE MORE QUESTIONS?
A: Contact us with any additional questions you might have. We would love to talk to you!