Michael Liimatta, Chief Academic Officer of City Vision College, explains 3 key questions, 4 failure factors, and several strategies for developing a new ministry/nonprofit startup

1. Ministry Startup Strategies
MICHAEL LI IMATTA, CHIEF ACADEMIC OFFICER, CITY VISION COLLEGE

2. About Michael Liimatta
 30+ years in urban ministry
 Pastor, drug counselor,
treatment center director,
AGRM education director.
 Founder & Chief Academic
Officer of City Vision College
 Directly involved in over 20
ministry startups

3. Start by Studying Nehemiah
 Building the Kingdom is
spiritual warfare
 Expect Opposition – from the
community and the Church
 Spend a lot of time together in
serious prayer.

4. Primary Questions to Ask: #1
 Is this type of ministry really
the best approach for meeting
the needs of your particular
city or area?
 Because it worked somewhere
else, it may not be the best
solution for your town.

5. Primary Questions to Ask: #2
 Are there people who believe
enough in such a ministry to
give continuing spiritual and
financial support?
 Are there sufficient resources
available for the work such as
facilities, qualified staff, etc.?

6. Primary Questions to Ask: #3
 Are there other organizations
in the area that are doing
similar work?
 Would it mean unnecessary
competition to them?
 Should a cooperative effort be
developed instead?

7. Introducing the Four Failure Factors
 Immature or unqualified
leadership
 Disunity among staff
 Poor image in the
community
 Lack of financial resources
and accountability

8. Issues Related to Leadership
 Leaders know God's Word
and live a godly lifestyle
 Leaders need to delegate.
“This is my ministry" attitude
doesn’t honor God
 Leaders must be teachable
and willing to take advice

9. The Blessing of Accountability
 Have a board of directors of
spiritually mature people with a
variety of professional
backgrounds
 Expect honesty and know they
will be asked to contribute their
time, talent and treasure to your
shared vision. (job description)

10. A Word About Volunteers
 Your board members are your most
important volunteers
 All volunteers are listened to,
respected, appreciated and doing
work that is meaningful to them
personally. Get to know them
 Don’t be afraid to ask them to
donate money to the ministry

11. Thoughts on Community Image
 In the beginning, you “borrow” the
reputations of you board and
others in leadership roles
 Spend time to get a mission
statement crystal clear – one that
everyone can remember well

12. Financial & Legal Accountability
 Get your legal stuff in order.
Register with city, state and
federal authorities and
report as required.
 Your accountant and
attorney are real partners
 $99 nonprofit version of
Quickbooks - TechSoup.org

13. Where Does the Money Come From?
 Avoid the “home run”
mentality of fund raising
 No mysterious benefactor to
give that huge donation that
will fund your vision
 Those who know you best
are those who are most likely
to give you money

14. Go After the “Low Hanging Fruit”
 Those who have already
donated.
 Ask board members to give
 Talk to your friends and family
and those staff members
 Then there’s your volunteers

15. More “Low Hanging Fruit”
 People who’ve been truly
helped by your work or have a
loved one or friend you’ve
helped.
 Tell your vendors about your
needs
 How about any individuals that
you have visited your facility?

16. Questions & Comments
Contact Information:
 Michael Liimatta
 (816) 217-9637
 mliimatta@cityvision.edu
 @mliimatta
 www.cityvision.edu