Building the Foundation for Nonprofit Success (Patricia Glass)

Special thanks to Armstrong McGuire for bringing these conversations to life, and for their commitment to strengthening leadership throughout nonprofit organizations. Learn more about how they can help you at ArmstrongMcGuire.com.

Are you building your nonprofit on passion alone, only to find yourself overwhelmed, under-resourced, and unsure how to move forward? In episode #324 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, Patricia Glass shares her deeply personal journey from grief to grassroots leadership, revealing the hard-won lessons behind starting and sustaining a nonprofit. Drawing from her own missteps and her work with other founders at Flourish Nonprofits, she outlines the critical elements every startup nonprofit needs: clear community alignment, operational structure, and the right board—not just friends and family. She challenges listeners to replace competition with collaboration and offers practical guidance on evaluating need, communicating expectations, and building a culture of accountability. Whether you're just starting out or seeking to grow with purpose, this episode is a powerful reminder that heart alone isn’t enough—strategy and community are essential.

"Heart is essential, but without structure, strategy, and community, your mission won’t survive."

ABOUT PATRICIA

Patricia Glass has been a cornerstone in community development in Tyler, Texas. Growing up in a background marked by poverty, she learned early the transformative power of community aid, which ignited her passion for advocacy and led to the creation of Flourish—a hub designed to empower nonprofits, entrepreneurs, and small businesses. Holding certifications in Nonprofit Management and Advance Nonprofit Management from UT Tyler and being recognized as a Certified Nonprofit Professional, Patricia’s involvement extends beyond leadership. She actively serves on various boards and committees and is a nonprofit founder. She dedicates herself to building a space where individuals and organizations can connect, grow, and find the resources to succeed. 

EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCES

• The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker
• Want to chat leadership 24/7?  Go to delphi.ai/pattonmcdowell
• Ready for a Mastermind?  Check it out at PMAnonprofit.com/Mastermind
• Don’t miss our weekly Thursday Leadership Lens for the latest on nonprofit leadership
  
  

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