Mission & vision
Develop a clear mission statement and vision that guide every decision your nonprofit makes.
Behind the Heart
You bring the heart.
We help with what’s next.
Behind-the-scenes support for nonprofit organizations — formation, 501(c)(3) filing, board development, grants, fundraising, and strategy, so you can focus on the mission.
Whether you’re in the dreaming stages of starting a nonprofit, or you already have one you want to strengthen — we’re here.
Our mission
Good intentions deserve a strong foundation.
Behind the Heart exists to help nonprofit organizations and people with a heart for serving their communities turn vision into strong, sustainable organizations.
Many people have the passion to make a difference but may not know how to navigate everything required to start or strengthen a nonprofit. We help with the work behind the mission so leaders can focus on the people and communities they serve.
Who we serve
- People who want to start a nonprofit but do not know where to begin
- Small and grassroots nonprofit organizations
- New nonprofit leaders
- Volunteer-led organizations
- Community organizations with limited administrative capacity
- Established nonprofits strengthening programs, governance, fundraising, or organizational systems
For new organizations
Start a nonprofit
Turn your idea into an organized nonprofit with guidance through the decisions, documents, and foundational work that come first.
Your first steps
Build a thoughtful foundation.
Starting a nonprofit involves more than filing paperwork. We walk you through the mission, documents, and decisions people often overlook — so nothing important slips through the cracks.
Start strong, stay strong.
The details you get right at the beginning — mission, documents, compliance — protect your nonprofit for years to come.
Founding board
Recruit the right founding board members, with clear roles and expectations from day one.
Articles of incorporation
Draft and file your articles correctly the first time — including the IRS language your 501(c)(3) application will need later.
Bylaws & policies
Put bylaws, conflict-of-interest, and essential policies in place so your organization runs smoothly.
501(c)(3) application
Prepare a strong IRS application, from choosing the right form to writing a compelling narrative.
Programs & funding
Design programs that truly serve your community, and build fundraising basics — donations, grants, and your story.
Go deeper
Signature packages.
It seems like a lot because it is — but it’s easier with us beside you. When you’re ready for hands-on help, these packages take you from start to finish.
From the Heart to the Mission
You bring the heart. We build the mission.
Everything it takes to start your nonprofit, handled with you: a draft mission statement, complete articles of incorporation, draft bylaws, and your IRS paperwork submitted — plus every step in between, from founding board to compliance calendar.
Ask about it in a consultation →From Idea to Impact
You bring the idea. We build the program.
A guided package that turns your program idea into an implementation-ready program — brainstorming together, then a full design with a logic model, budget, and funding plan.
Ask about it in a consultation →Start the conversation
Request a consultation
Share what is on your mind, wherever your idea is today. Your answers will help us make the first conversation useful and focused.
For existing organizations
Strengthen your nonprofit
Build stronger governance, fundraising, programs, and systems so your organization can grow with clarity and serve more sustainably.
What we do
Build the structure behind your mission.
Behind the Heart provides education, guidance, resources, and hands-on support across the work that helps nonprofit organizations become strong and sustainable.
More clarity for your team. More capacity for your mission.
We strengthen the work behind the scenes so your organization can focus its energy where it matters most.
Getting started
Nonprofit formation, 501(c)(3) preparation, and guidance for turning an idea into an organized nonprofit.
Governance
Board development, governance practices, bylaws, policies, and essential organizational documents.
Funding
Grant readiness, grant writing support, and fundraising planning connected to your mission and capacity.
Programs
Program development and evaluation that help you design meaningful work and understand its impact.
Planning
Strategic planning that creates clarity, shared direction, and a realistic path toward sustainability.
Learning & connection
Nonprofit education, workshops, practical resources, and connections to helpful community resources.
How we work
Grounded support for real nonprofit work.
The work behind a mission can feel complicated. We make it clearer, more manageable, and more connected to the people you serve.
Practical guidanceClear next steps shaped around your organization’s needs and stage.
Useful educationKnowledge, workshops, and tools your team can carry forward.
Hands-on partnershipThoughtful support that helps turn plans into meaningful progress.
Accessible expertiseServices may be provided at no cost or reduced cost when possible, with a focus on grassroots organizations and people doing meaningful community work.
Go deeper
Signature packages.
When you’re ready for hands-on help, these packages take you from start to finish — with us beside you the whole way.
From Idea to Impact
You bring the idea. We build the program.
A guided package that turns a new program idea into an implementation-ready program — brainstorming together, then a full design with a logic model, budget, and funding plan.
Ask about it in a consultation →Worth Doing Well
Great ideas, heart for the mission — your programs deserve to be done well.
An honest, friendly review of a program you already run: does it fit your mission, is it working, do people value it, and is it financially sustainable?
Ask about it in a consultation →About us
People doing meaningful work should not have to figure out every challenge alone.
Behind the Heart was created from a simple belief: compassion and vision are powerful, and they become even stronger when supported by sound planning, useful knowledge, and dependable organizational systems.
We help with the administrative and strategic work that often happens out of view—the work that allows nonprofit leaders to stay focused on their mission, their people, and the communities they serve.
Meet Carly
Hi, I’m Carly — I built Behind the Heart for people like you.
I’m a military wife and homeschool mom of three. My first career was education: a bachelor’s in elementary education and a master’s in special education, followed by wonderful years home with my kids.
But I’ve always had a heart for the nonprofit world. So I went back to school — yes, again — and earned a master’s in nonprofit management, ready to dive in.
Then came the hardest part: choosing one nonprofit to help. Every mission I learned about mattered. So instead of picking just one, I started Behind the Heart — so I could help them all.
I know what it’s like to run on passion and figure out the rest as you go. That’s exactly who I built this for, and I’d genuinely love to help you with what’s next.
Let’s talkGet involved
Bring what you can to the work.
Strong nonprofits are built through connection. There are many ways to help Behind the Heart make practical support more accessible.
Refer a nonprofit
Know a new or grassroots nonprofit that could use a hand? Send them our way.
Partner
Collaborate on workshops, referrals, community initiatives, or capacity-building opportunities.
Share expertise
Contribute professional knowledge that can help nonprofit leaders solve specialized challenges.
Sponsor support for a nonprofit
Help fund pro bono or reduced-cost services for a grassroots nonprofit that needs them.
Start a conversation
Ask about current ways to get involved →
info@behindtheheartconsulting.com
Contact / Get support
Tell us what you are working on.
Whether you have an idea and need help figuring out what comes next, or your nonprofit needs support strengthening its work, you do not have to figure everything out alone.
info@behindtheheartconsulting.com
Include what you are building, where you are now, and what kind of help you need.
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