About LaCharla Figgs

Founder of Nonprofit Startup Academy

I love supporting Visionaries who want to make a Difference in the world for Good.

I'm LaCharla Figgs, and I created Nonprofit Startup Academy to support compassionate Difference-Makers like you. I've spent the past 30+ years supporting charitable nonprofits. As a strategic planning facilitator, trainer, program director, executive coach, grantmaker, consultant, and more.

And I still love my work!

One of the best parts of my work is helping Visionaries launch charitable nonprofits. These highly-focused folk are excited and ready to change the world! And I love using my experience to help them realize their Big Visions.

Are You A Visionary?

If you're a Visionary, I think I know a little something about you. You're ready to serve more hurting people NOW. And you have ZERO patience with planning, "process," and paperwork. Even though you know you'll have to face it to start and run a nonprofit.

That's ok, because that's what I'm good at. I created this program to lend you my strengths. To ease the frustration of the paperwork, planning, and process so you can focus on your Big Vision.

One of the best parts of my work is helping Visionaries launch charitable nonprofits. These highly focused folk are excited and ready to change the world! And I love using my experience to help them realize their Big Visions.

Are You A Visionary?

That's ok because that's what I'm good at. I created this program to lend you my strengths. To ease the frustration of the paperwork, planning, and process so you can focus on your Big Vision.

You're Not Alone

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Starting a nonprofit means wading into new territory. My job is to be your trainer and mentor through that journey. To help you see what's ahead. To steer you away from pitfalls and help you navigate the frustrations that may pop up.

You'll see that I'm constantly teaching and sharing insights with you. Because having a nonprofit on paper is not enough. You need to understand all that comes with being a founder. And you need to develop the skills and confidence to lead your nonprofit well.

I’ve worked with government officials and nonprofit leaders, faith-based practitioners, and residents of low-wealth communities. I’ve worked with board members and everyday folks interested in nonprofit startup. I’ve run into many organizational challenges–from personality clashes and power struggles to the need for “mini re-engineering.”

The long version of my story...

Going Freelance

I launched my nonprofit consulting practice in 2006 and this online program--Nonprofit Startup Academy--in 2016.

My company's mission is to equip compassionate Difference-Makers to launch nonprofits that improve the lives of people in need.

I do that through classes, leadership coaching, hands-on help, and more.

Affordable Housing & Community Development

Most of my work has been in the field of affordable housing and community development. I've worked in or consulted with affordable housing and community development nonprofits, local governments that support nonprofits, houses of worship, and human services organizations 30+ years.

I got first-hand experience and learned about affordable housing when I managed a rent-subsidized apartment community. I loved being part of a solution that so many grateful people needed.

Years later I landed at Enterprise Community Partners--then called The Enterprise Foundation. Enterprise Community Partners is a national nonprofit that exists to make a good home possible for the millions of families without one.

My time there was a great learning experience. I started out managing more than $2 million in private and government grants and contracts. Later, I transitioned to providing technical assistance and training to nonprofits across the U.S. and ended my time there in the Baltimore office.

In Baltimore, I served as interim co-director and finally as Deputy Director and Director of Housing and Community Development--overseeing staff and programs and running the grant and technical assistance program.

Variety Is The Spice

Through the years I've also served on nonprofit boards, where I got a view of nonprofit life through a different lens.

In 2006, I established my nonprofit consulting practice. Since then, I’ve had the chance to take on interesting assignments like community outreach coordinator for a DC healthcare initiative, program design and fundraising for a resident services program, interim executive director of a transitional housing nonprofit, and more.

As a consultant, I’ve served associations, national, statewide, and community-based nonprofits, and government agencies. Here are some of the projects I've worked on:

Board Workshops, Coaching, and Troubleshooting
Bylaw Review and Revision
Board Policy Development or Review
Strategic Planning Facilitation
Executive Coaching
Resident Services Program Development
Grant Proposal Writing
Fundraising and Grantwriting Training
Nonprofit Start-Up Consultation and Hands-On Help
Interim Executive Staffing
Cash Flow Projection Training
Research and Report Writing
Community Outreach Coordination
Management of Community Outreach workers
Executive Transition Consultation

And now, through Nonprofit Startup Academy, I'm using those years of experience to help new and aspiring nonprofit founders serve people in need.

Especially those who are new to the world of US nonprofits.

If you're on the fence or you just don't know how to get started, let's chat. Starting a nonprofit is not the best option for everyone, and I'm happy to have a candid conversation with you about how it may or may not be your best option.

Book your free 20-minute Exploratory Session HERE.

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