.png)
In July, our board at The Life I Love School came together for a pivotal FY25 Kickoff Meeting. With the excitement of a new fiscal year ahead, we focused on aligning our strategy to guide us through the months to come, ensuring that every step we take is deliberate and impactful.
This year, we’re honing in on the formation of three essential committees—Programs, Governance, and Resources—each carefully aligned with the Nonprofit Lifecycle Stages. Why? Because we believe that by focusing on these key areas, we can drive meaningful organizational growth, one small, strategic step at a time.
Our approach is grounded in the wisdom shared in Nonprofit Lifecycles: Stage-Based Wisdom for Nonprofit Capacity, a book that has quickly become our go-to resource. Recommended by our board secretary, Najwa, this book offers invaluable insights into the seven clear lifecycle stages of nonprofits. Each stage comes with observable indicators that help us assess our organizational health, ensuring we stay on the right path as we grow.
To bring this strategy to life, every board member is stepping up to serve on one of our committees. These committees will meet regularly—whether that’s monthly, bi-monthly, or quarterly—to strategize and ensure we’re making steady progress toward our goals. By dividing our efforts across these three critical areas, we’re setting ourselves up for success, all while keeping our girls at the heart of everything we do.
As we enter this new fiscal year, I’m filled with anticipation for what’s to come. Our focus on intentional, stage-based growth is not just about expanding our reach; it’s about ensuring that our foundation is strong, our governance is sound, and our resources are effectively managed. This is how we’ll continue to empower the Black and Brown girls we serve, providing them with the tools and support they need to thrive.
If you’re involved in nonprofit work or looking to start a nonprofit of your own, I highly recommend checking out Nonprofit Lifecycles. It’s been a game-changer for us, and I believe it can be for you too.
Here’s to a year of growth, strategy, and, most importantly, making a lasting impact on our community. Let’s do this, one step at a time. 💪🏾