What I Learned Launching a Statewide Nonprofit Association (Spoiler: It’s About Power, Not Perfection)

When I moved back to Iowa in 2019, I did what any good nonprofit nerd would do: I looked up the state’s nonprofit association so I could join. It was a reflex. I’d done it in every other state I’d lived in.

You join, you get the newsletter, maybe attend a webinar or two—but mostly, you know there’s an infrastructure that’s got the nonprofit sector’s back.

But Iowa didn’t have one.

At first, I thought I was just bad at Googling. But nope—confirmed. Iowa was one of just seven states without a statewide nonprofit association.

Then I found out I wasn’t the only one having that “Wait, what?” moment. A small but mighty group of Iowa nonprofit leaders had already started putting the pieces together.

They knew this gap mattered—and they were ready to do something about it.

That’s when I came in. I was hired as the ringer—to bring it to fruition, get it off the ground, and launch the thing.

And what a launch it’s been.

Lessons From the Launch Pad

Over the past three years as the first director of the Iowa Nonprofit Alliance (INA), I’ve had the honor of helping build something from scratch (on Zoom, naturally). Here’s what I learned along the way:

1. Nonprofits Need More Than Technical Assistance—They Need Power

We love a good capacity-building workshop. But you know what nonprofits really need? A seat at the damn table. Iowa’s nonprofits aren’t “nice to have”—they’re essential. They deserve to shape the policies and budgets that affect their work, their staff, and the people they serve.

2. There’s No Perfect Time to Start—But Start Anyway

We didn’t wait for perfect. We had a vision, a whiteboard, a pandemic, and a lot of passion. That was enough to begin. Once we started listening to the sector—really listening—the roadmap revealed itself. Sometimes, starting messy is better than never starting at all.

3. Advocacy Is Not Optional

If you’ve heard me speak for more than five minutes, you’ve probably heard this one: If you’re not at the policy table, you’re on the menu. Nonprofits have to be loud, strategic, and unapologetic about advocating for themselves and their communities. Advocacy isn’t an “extra”—it’s core to mission.

4. The Sector Is Ready—If You Trust It

People want to lead. They want to speak up, build coalitions, and fight for change. But they need to know their voices matter. One of INA’s greatest roles has been helping nonprofit leaders remember they already have what it takes—they just need a little backup and a mic.

5. Funders… We Need to Talk

And here’s where I get a little spicy. This one’s nuanced, but it needs to be said: funders are often not bold. Not innovative. And too often, not helpful.

They say they want systems change, but fund tiny grants with 17 strings and a side of burnout. If we want a thriving sector, funders need to learn their own power too—and use it to support nonprofit ecosystems with trust, flexibility, and vision.

6. You Can Be Sassy and Still Get Stuff Done

I say this half-joking, but it’s true. Advocacy doesn’t have to be dry or dour. You can bring your full self—sass, smarts, spark—and still move mountains. In fact, sometimes the sass helps.

So What’s Next?

I’m not disappearing. Through Snyder Strategies, I’ll keep helping nonprofits build their advocacy muscle, shape bold campaigns, and walk into policy conversations like they belong there—because they do.

Building INA reminded me why I’m in this work: because nonprofits deserve more than survival. They deserve power. And we don’t get there by playing small.

If your organization is ready to step into your advocacy power—or just wants to dip a toe in—reach out. Let’s do big things.