From $7,000 to $200K

By Raul Rivera

Building any organization from the ground up is no easy task. It takes hard work, commitment, consistency, and prayer to bring a dream to life. Add to this what it takes to build a community development corporation (CDC) whose purpose is to foster a place of safety, inspiration, and life-changing opportunities, and then you will not only be faced with additional challenges, but you will also find a whole new realm of possibilities.

Perhaps you are sitting there and you know that God has given you a dream to do something bigger than you have yet accomplished. There is a burning ache in the pit of your stomach that is pushing you to truly make a difference in this world and within your community, but you simply are not sure of where or how to start.

Well, trust me when I say that I know exactly what you are experiencing, and there are countless others who have also once been where you are. I want to use this post to introduce you to the story of someone who, just like you, found a path and solution to pursue the dream that God had placed in her heart, and increased her organization's annual budget from $7,000 to $200K in just 5 years. I pray that this story brings you hope and encouragement as you pursue your own God-given dream.

It began as a dream

As a young woman in college, Cali Noland desired to be a missionary in order to help meet the needs of many, and to impact the world on a global scale for the glory of God. However, it did not take much for Cali to realize that there were people and families in her own hometown community who were equally in need.

Before fully knowing what to do, Cali began researching various nonprofit organizations, and she soon landed internships at two arts organizations in New York City. It was during this time that her dream began to take on a little more form and definition.

Her dream was to create an arts program that encouraged children to express themselves, and thus bring about a sense of healing in their lives at the same time. The program would also incorporate mentorship, scholastic growth, musical expression, and spiritual growth. Cali knew that this was a big dream, but she also knew that it was a God-given dream.

Now, although Cali had the training she received from her two internships and her faith in God that this dream would become a reality, she did not have the financial and logistical resources that would be needed to make her dream a reality. But rather than quitting there, she started with what she had. She began writing out her vision so that she could better articulate to others the dream that God had given her, and so that they, too, could run with it and help see this dream become a reality (Habbakuk 2:2).

At the conclusion of her two internships, Cali moved back to her hometown of Clarksdale, Mississippi to begin Griot Arts. Shortly after her return home, Cali began working closely with a business woman who helped her develop a detailed business plan for Griot Arts. This business plan would allow her to better articulate her dream to others who would help provide both financial and practical support to the organization.

During its first year, Griot operated on a $7,000 budget, meeting twice a week in a dilapidated gymnasium. Much of the support came from local churches, in the form of volunteers who would help with tutoring, mentoring, and prayer. Although that first year was difficult and it was not done in the most glamorous of fashions, Cali could see the hand of God moving within her community. The trust that was being built and the relationships that were being formed that first year were the key component to establishing a favorable reputation within the community.

Now, five years later, Griot Arts has a building of its own, a staff of 5 employees, and an annual operating budget of $200,000. They are reaching over 200 kids per year, and they have 30 core students in their after school program that operates Monday through Friday. In addition, they have 7 young men who are in the process of completing Griot’s job training program that provides these young men with the opportunity to have a better future.

Cali will be the first one to tell you that this journey has not been the easiest journey, but it is one that has been the most fulfilling. There were times when she had her questions and doubts as to whether this was something she could really do; however, it was only through continual prayer and reliance upon God that she knew she could make it happen.

Making your dream a reality

What began as a dream became a reality. What can we learn from this story?

1. Passion matters. Your passion is what gets you going and fuels you through the long days of making your dream a reality. Remember the reason you started the program, the people whom you are helping, and what your work means for their lives and futures. Let this remembrance renew your commitment to your cause.
2. Prayer is key. Cali began her journey with prayer and she continues her journey today with prayer. Reliance on God is necessary. If your dream came from Him, He will be faithful to supply you with the resources and help you need to make it happen.
3. Plan, plan...and then plan some more! It is clear that Cali focused her passion into a plan of action. She had a business plan the donors could buy into, and this business plan helped her and her volunteers to stay on track with goals. Passion is most effective when focused into a plan of action.
4. Build relationships and create community. Relationships help create change and build organizations. When the community begins to see that you are serious about building lasting relationships, you will in turn gain their trust and support. Consistency and persistence in your work speaks volumes about your love for the people that you are serving and your commitment to make their lives better. It helps prove that you are going to stick around. Most nonprofits operate with a volunteer force, so your commitment is necessary to energize those volunteers to stay committed to the vision right alongside you.
5. Use all forms of support to your benefit. Not only did Cali solicit donations from those within the community, but she also applied herself to write grants for funding. This is where planning is key. A well-written grant can be the key to unlock even more potential for your organization. You can hire a grant writer, and even apply a bit more effort and make it happen on your own! Be aware of all the funding resources you have, and make plans to utilize those resources to your advantage for the future success of your organization.

Do not stop here

Building any organization from scratch is not easy. It takes hard work, commitment, consistency, and prayer to bring a dream to life. I believe that you have what it takes to make your dream a reality, but do you believe you have what it takes?

One of the best things for you to do during this time is to surround yourself with like-minded people: people who will support you, encourage you, and challenge you; people who have once been where you are. That is why I would like to invite you to join us at one of our upcoming conferences. Not only will you receive empowering information in establishing the foundation of your dream, but you will also have the opportunity to meet others in attendance who are in the same boat.

If you persist in prayer, focus your passion, and stay consistent, then there is no limit to the great impact and blessing your organization can be to your community.

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