The Story Behind Prism Philanthropy: A Journey to Empowering Small Nonprofits

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Starting a business can be both a challenging and fulfilling journey, especially when it's driven by the desire to make a positive impact. For the founder of Prism Philanthropy, this journey was inspired by a background in entrepreneurship and a deep passion for helping smaller nonprofits. Here's the story of how Prism Philanthropy came to be and the lessons learned along the way.

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The Inspiration Behind Prism Philanthropy

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The idea for Prism Philanthropy stemmed from a personal desire to create a meaningful impact within the nonprofit sector. Having always known that starting a business was in the cards, the founder’s entrepreneurial spirit was fueled by a family background in business. Her father, a successful entrepreneur in Orlando who started his own pharmaceutical company, served as a role model, showing her the possibilities of building something from the ground up.

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However, rather than following a traditional entrepreneurial path, she saw an unmet need in the nonprofit world—particularly among smaller organizations. “I’ve always been focused on helping nonprofits, especially those at the startup stage or with annual revenues under $5 million. These organizations are often overlooked and under-resourced,” she explains. This realization sparked the idea for Prism Philanthropy, an organization dedicated to providing accessible support for small nonprofits to thrive.

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A Holistic Approach to Philanthropy

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What sets Prism Philanthropy apart is its holistic and approachable nature. The organization not only offers services tailored to smaller nonprofits but also integrates a strong sense of volunteerism. The founder dedicates one day a week to volunteer in the community, giving back in ways beyond just professional services. “I understand how hard it is to get started,” she says, emphasizing her open-door policy for nonprofits seeking advice.

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The name "Prism" was chosen thoughtfully, symbolizing the complexity and beauty of philanthropy. Just like a prism refracts light, philanthropy, when done right, can create a beautiful impact. But it’s also intricate, requiring careful navigation and thoughtful strategy.

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Challenges of Entrepreneurship and Building a Brand

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Starting a business is never without its challenges, and for the founder of Prism Philanthropy, there were many learning moments along the way. “Running a business is a lot of trial and error,” she shares, reflecting on the early days of navigating the legal, financial, and operational aspects. While her entrepreneurial network provided invaluable support, she wishes she had known more about the nitty-gritty details, like filing paperwork and setting up tax systems.

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One of the key early decisions was creating a cohesive and impactful brand. With the help of Julie Kostic, a branding expert met through Instagram, Prism Philanthropy's brand was designed to be modern, clean, and aligned with the founder’s vision of green representing both money and the holistic nature of philanthropy. The result is a brand that is not only visually appealing but also resonates deeply with the mission of the organization.

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Aligning with Like-Minded Organizations

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As Prism Philanthropy continues to grow, the challenge now lies in finding clients and partners that align with the organization’s values. “I’m a big proponent of trust-based philanthropy,” she explains. This approach emphasizes empowering nonprofits to fulfill their missions rather than allowing donors to dictate their priorities.

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Prism Philanthropy carefully selects organizations that share this vision, focusing on equity, inclusion, and sustainable impact. While word of mouth has been a key driver in building her client base, the founder is now seeing an influx of inquiries from organizations finding her through her website or social media. However, not all inquiries are a perfect fit, and much of the process involves ensuring that both parties are aligned in their goals and approach.

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Advice for Nonprofits Looking to Grow

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For nonprofits in the $1 to $5 million range, growth often brings new challenges—particularly in fundraising. One of the biggest hurdles is ensuring that fundraising efforts are strategically planned. “You won’t know how to plan your fundraising efforts until you understand what you’re currently doing,” she advises. Many organizations fall into the trap of overloading their development directors with responsibilities outside their expertise, which can hinder their ability to focus on what they do best—building relationships and securing funding.

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Another key to success is surrounding yourself with a strong board and volunteer team. “If you’re a scrappy nonprofit, you’ll never be able to hire all the people you’d like,” she says. Instead, organizations should leverage the expertise of volunteers and create a culture of philanthropy that fosters real, long-term relationships with donors.

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One often overlooked strategy for nonprofits is implementing a monthly giving program. “Monthly donors often stick around for years, and they frequently give additional donations on top of their monthly contributions,” she notes. With 64% of all giving now happening online, nonprofits that aren’t offering easy options for digital and recurring donations are missing out on a significant revenue stream.

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Moving Forward

As Prism Philanthropy moves into its next phase, the focus remains on thoughtful growth—working with clients that align with the organization’s mission and values, while continuing to give back to the community. With a strong brand, a clear vision, and a passion for helping small nonprofits succeed, Prism Philanthropy is poised to make a lasting impact in the nonprofit sector.

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