Stella Foundation’s Post

Frustrated by the relentless burden of fundraising, governance, and compliance woes? BlackPapers, a passionate startup consultancy with a social conscience, comes to the rescue. Its mission is to liberate NGOs from the administrative maze and empower them to focus on their core mission – making a difference. BlackPapers' team of expert "Sarthies" are veterans of navigating the complexities of the non-profit sector. The company's vision extends far beyond individual NGOs. It envisions a thriving ecosystem where all organisations, big or small, have access to the professional guidance they need to flourish. That's why they've expanded their expertise to include comprehensive startup solutions, including their innovative VIRTUAL CFO product—designed to fuel the growth of fledgling businesses. BlackPapers is driven by purpose. The CEO's vision isn't just about transforming businesses but empowering a generation of changemakers. By tackling the administrative hurdles that often suppress progress, BlackPapers frees NGOs and startups to pursue their ambitious goals and leave their mark on the world.

Real talk:  Where does meaningful change *actually* happen? Big brands have big budgets… But they’re often risk-averse & profit-obsessed. Startups have big potential… But they’re often small scale & distracted by daily firefighting. Non-profits have big dreams… But they’re often out selling the dream & asking for funds. Politicians have big donors & big platforms for change… But they’re often chasing votes & quick to compromise. So… Where does real, meaningful change actually happen? Can any of these groups achieve meaningful change alone? Or does change happen at the *intersection* of these groups? Let’s talk about it. Hit me with your unfiltered POV.  Bonus points if you can share more than one perspective. #impact #socialentrepreneurship #partnerships #change

BIG CONGRATS to the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving's SOCIAL ENTERPRISE ACCELERATOR 2024-2025 nonprofits for completing the virtual labinar series! Thanks to generous support from the Foundation and their NSP Program, ED's / CEO’s, Board, and Staff members from organizations throughout Greater Hartford have been engaged in this capacity building initiative designed to explore possibilities to launch or grow social enterprises aimed at boosting earned revenue and mission impact. Not only have these NPO teams learned new ways of thinking AND doing by participating in a series of interactive online learning sessions -- but they've also been meeting 1:1 via Zoom with the consultants from No Margin, No Mission to strategize, discuss, brainstorm, and take action to advance their entrepreneurial ventures. We're proud of all the social entrepreneurs who have participated in this 4-month journey, and look forward to the opportunity for further engagement with those who advance to the next phase of the initiative to develop and implement business plans AND raise needed startup or growth capital! #SocialEnterpriseAccelerator #earnedincome #socialenterprise #nonprofit #thrivability #businessplanning #businessplan #NoMarginNoMission

🌟 This #GivingTuesday, Be the Spark for Innovators Everywhere! 🌟 Did you know entrepreneurship isn’t just about starting businesses? It’s about transforming lives, creating jobs, and fueling entire communities. Yet, far too many talented innovators face overwhelming barriers—lack of funding, resources, and access—to launch and grow their ideas. At Entrepreneurship For Everyone (EFE), we believe entrepreneurship knows no boundaries. That’s why we’re dedicated to empowering diverse founders, fostering inclusion, and building an ecosystem where every dream has the chance to thrive. This #GivingTuesday, join us in making a difference: ✨ Help underestimated entrepreneurs turn their ideas into reality. ✨ Support workforce development and drive economic prosperity. ✨ Build a future where entrepreneurship is for everyone, everywhere. 💡 Your donation will: ✅ Provide essential tools and training to early-stage entrepreneurs. ✅ Expand access to vital networks and resources. ✅ Empower innovators to overcome obstacles and create lasting impact. Together, we can unlock untapped potential and inspire innovation that benefits us all. 🌍 💚 Donate now and help us shape a future where everyone has the chance to succeed: https://lnkd.in/gVrpuEVE #EntrepreneurshipForEveryone #GivingTuesday #EconomicDevelopment #SupportInnovation #UnlockEntrepreneurship

This Giving Tuesday, we invite you to invest in a vision for Chicago’s future—one driven by the innovation and determination of our city’s overlooked entrepreneurs. TechRise is about unlocking potential. It’s about creating opportunity for founders with big ideas and bold dreams who are reshaping industries and rewriting what’s possible. Since launching, TechRise has supported nearly 400 founders, helping them secure $200 million in follow-on funding. This work isn’t charity—it’s an investment in the people and ideas that make Chicago a leader in equitable innovation. Today, you have the chance to directly impact what’s next. Your contribution helps sustain and expand this vital work, ensuring more founders have the resources and support they need to thrive. 🚀 Let’s make Chicago stronger, together. Donate: https://lnkd.in/gTTJZH8 #GivingTuesday #TechRise #Entrepreneurship #ChicagoTech #TechRiseSeason5

Fundraising is always relationship-based funding 💡 Today, we had an incredible discussion with Matthias Scheffelmeier, someone I've admired for years, thanks to our connections through Ashoka and ChangemakerXchange. His ability to create a dynamic atmosphere in Zoom meetings is unparalleled, and his insights always leave me feeling motivated and inspired. 🙌 We delved into Relationship-based funding, which - IMO - is a game changer in the fundraising world. I personally experienced it, and once you understand it, a whole new world of opportunities opens up. 🤯 In fact, it's one of the things I focus on the most when working with entrepreneurs with their rounds. We shared insights on how to cultivate genuine, meaningful connections, and above all emphasized that fundraising is more than just transactions. 👉 It's about building long-lasting partnerships based on mutual trust, respect, and shared values 👈 Our discussion was packed with killer strategies. Here are some tips we covered: 1️⃣ Be referred to 2️⃣ Be selective. Our partners define us 3️⃣ Listen first. Do your homework 4️⃣ Relationship management can pay off. Even many years later 5️⃣ After the deal is before the deal 6️⃣ Don't just raise money, invite people in I'll be sharing more of these insights in the coming days, so stay tuned! #Fundraising #RelationshipBasedFunding #Entrepreneurship #InvestmentStrategies

Last week I finished re-reading “Lean Impact” by Ann Mei Chang. It extends the Lean Startup methodology to cover not only value and growth, but also impact. It’s thinking has been pivotal in my work already, here’s the key principles: 1️⃣ Think Big: Aim for transformational, not incremental, change. 2️⃣ Start Small: Test hypotheses with minimal resources. 3️⃣ Relentlessly Seek Impact: Focus on innovation metrics over vanity metrics. Chang emphasizes setting ambitious goals, iterative learning, and measuring true social impact. A must-read for social enterprise and NGO founders. If you only have time for the summary, check it out here: https://lnkd.in/eBDky9Es #SocialImpact #Innovation #LeanStartup #NGOs #Nonprofit

One of the things I like about grant writing is hearing about people's ideas. There are so many GREAT projects out there! It's encouraging and interesting - and I've sat through some awesome conversations this week. And you know what? It's hard to be an entrepreneur and that's okay. It's hard to start a non-profit from scratch. It's difficult to keep up steam if things don't go as planned. It's easy to feel discouraged. It's hard to find good board members who not only bring the right skills, but also know how to be on a board. All I have to say is keep going 🚀 🚀 🚀

Building a business is a marathon, not a sprint. With so much happening around us—LinkedIn posts about people raising funds, acquiring customers, or doing amazing things—it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But don’t let the noise get to you. Everyone has their own grind, their own journey, and it’s not a race against anyone else. Talk to your family, your friends, and your well-wishers—they’ve seen your struggles, and they have immense faith in you. Lean on them when you need to. Stay focused, stay patient, and keep building. Own your grind, and don’t let the noise affect your peace. #startupjourney #HireNation #HolidayNation #entrepreneurship

📣 NY Entrepreneurs! This one’s for you. If you’re interested in learning more about how to secure grants, this workshop by Jeffrey Derose may be helpful. #grants #socialimpact #nonprofits #entrepreneurs