Today we’d like to introduce you to Willie Finklin, CFRE.
Hi Willie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My journey in the nonprofit industry began when I was invited to join the board of a small nonprofit organization. Like many nonprofits, this organization was under-resourced and did not have a dedicated grant writer. When there was a need for a grant to be written, I volunteered to take on the challenge. To be honest, I had no idea what I was doing, but I did my best to study a previously written grant and navigate the process as best I could.
Unfortunately, we were not awarded the grant. However, what I gained from the experience was invaluable – feedback. The executive director of the foundation that reviewed our grant provided perspective and excellent advice on how to address the prompts in the grant. I took that feedback to heart and put it into practice. The next 17 grants I wrote were all successful, and I began to be recognized in my community and by foundations to whom I submitted the grants.
One of the biggest compliments I received was when I wrote a grant for my first client. After the review, the Director of Impact from United Way asked my client who wrote the grant. When she found out it was me, she pulled me aside and said, “Willie, you wrote this grant! This was the best grant that they have ever submitted.” This was a major eye-opener for me because my client’s organization was a branded United Way Partner and had received funding from them for over a decade.
By this point, I had begun working in the nonprofit sector and was consistently awarded grants for multiple organizations in my community. Through becoming familiar with the nonprofit landscape in the community, I began to notice a gap in service that aligned with my passion for education, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math), and underserved regions of my county. So, I designed a program that I believed would be beneficial to children and youth in those areas.
I started sharing my vision with a few individuals who then recommended others to me. Eventually, I had a chance to present my program to someone who was very well-known and influential in my community. I was nervous about what she might say, given the feedback I had heard about others’ visions. However, when I finished my presentation, she said two things: “You need to add a slide to show transformation and how the world will look with your program, and you need to start your nonprofit now.” In that moment, I felt a rush of emotions, from shock to amazement. I thanked her for her time and did as she said.
In 2015, I founded Striving for Success, a STEAM enrichment program primarily targeting middle school students. In my first year of implementing the program, I was able to write and receive a grant for $10,000 from the Indian River County Children’s Services Advisory Committee and $4,000 from Quail Valley Children’s Charities, without even running the program for a cycle. This was a major achievement in and of itself, but it got even better. The next year, I was able to increase those grant awards by 33%. I was awarded a $15,000 grant from the county and $6,000 from Quail Valley.
In addition to founding Striving for Success, I have also worked for several nonprofit organizations throughout my career. I bring a wealth of experience to the table as a certified nonprofit professional, with a designation of Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), which is an internationally recognized credential for excellence in the philanthropy field. Over the years, I have raised over $15.8 million in funding, including over $13 million in grants. This experience has taught me the importance of effective fundraising and grant writing, as well as the value of building relationships with donors and foundations to secure sustainable funding for nonprofit organizations.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Along my journey in the nonprofit industry, I faced many obstacles and challenges that tested my perseverance, dedication, and willingness to learn from failure. One of the biggest challenges I encountered was securing sustainable funding for nonprofit organizations. The competition for grants and donations is fierce, and it can be difficult to stand out from the crowd. I had to learn how to write compelling grant proposals that resonated with funders and showed the impact that our programs could have on the community.
Another challenge was building relationships with donors and foundations. It takes time and effort to establish trust and credibility with these stakeholders, and it can be frustrating when your efforts do not yield immediate results. However, I learned that networking and building relationships with people in your community can open doors and create opportunities that I may have never imagined.
I also had to learn not to do it all by myself. Collaboration is powerful, and there is so much more we can do when we work together. I had to learn to leverage the skills and expertise of others to achieve our goals. I found that building a team of dedicated individuals who share your passion and vision is essential to success.
Furthermore, I had to learn to get out of my own way. Perfectionism has caused so much procrastination in my life. I am my biggest critic, and I used to spend hours agonizing over every detail of a proposal or program, striving for perfection. However, I learned that perfectionism is not always necessary or even helpful in the nonprofit industry. Instead, I realized that my work is not for me and my perfect vision of it. Others are taking away small samples, sentences, and often times just one word that ignites their passion and vision. So, I learned to view my work and what I do from the perspective that it’s not about me, it’s for them.
Finally, another challenge I faced was managing my time effectively. The nonprofit industry is demanding, and there is always more work to be done than there are hours in the day. I had to learn to prioritize tasks, delegate responsibilities, and create efficient systems to maximize my productivity. I found that setting realistic goals and deadlines, and breaking down large projects into smaller, manageable tasks, helped me to stay focused and motivated.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about PM3 University?
PM3 University is a consulting firm that specializes in helping nonprofit organizations secure the funding they need to achieve their goals. Founded by Willie Finklin, a Certified Fund Raising Executive with over 12 years of experience in the nonprofit industry, PM3 University is known for its unparalleled expertise in grant writing, program development, and capacity building.
At PM3 University, we pride ourselves on our ability to provide customized solutions to our clients’ unique needs. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow your organization, we offer a range of services designed to help you succeed, including grant writing, fundraising, strategic planning, board development, and more.
What sets us apart from others in the industry is our commitment to excellence and our track record of success. Over the years, we have helped numerous organizations secure millions of dollars in funding, and our clients consistently rave about the level of service and support we provide.
At PM3 University, we are most proud of our brand’s reputation for quality and results. Our clients know that they can trust us to deliver the outcomes they need to achieve their mission, and we take pride in being a reliable partner on their journey.
Overall, we want readers to know that PM3 University is dedicated to helping nonprofits achieve their goals, and we have the expertise and experience to make that happen. Whether you’re looking for help with grant writing, fundraising, or other capacity building needs, we are here to help.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
My future goals are centered around providing valuable resources and support to aspiring nonprofit founders and professionals. Specifically, I am focused on launching my Launch Your Nonprofit and Grant Writer coaching program, which will help individuals navigate the process of starting and growing a successful nonprofit organization.
In addition, I have a vision of hosting multiple Nonprofit Symposiums, where I can offer capacity building resources to help attendees achieve their goals. The Symposium would feature a variety of workshops, including a grant writing workshop and a start your nonprofit workshop, which would bookend the event.
One of the highlights of the Symposium would be a panel discussion that includes perspectives from leadership/Executive Director or CEO, Fundraiser/Development Officer, Grant Writer (myself), Board Development, and a Funder. Attendees would have the opportunity to submit questions during registration or at the beginning of the event, which would be curated and posed to the panel.
Ultimately, my goal is to empower nonprofit professionals and aspiring founders with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed, and to make a positive impact on their communities.
Pricing:
- Grant Writing Prices Vary from $1,000 for a simple grant to $5,000 – $9,500 for a federal grant
- Workshop and courses now range from $60 – $1,000
- Mentorship courses range from $500 – $2500
- Nonprofit Launch price is $3,500 – $5,000
Contact Info:
- Website: www.pm3university.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/pm3university
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/PM3University/
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/iamprowill/
Image Credits
Eriden Images, Jacksonville, FL, Francesca Barnes
