The Nonprofit Growth Lab method
One clear path. Five proven phases.
The five milestones tell you where your nonprofit is. The five phases are how you grow - a repeatable cycle that runs at every size. Work them in order; don't rush the foundation.
What runs through every phase
Five principles hold the method together.
Clarity
Growth starts with a clear mission and a compelling case for support. Every phase builds on it.
Digital integration
Meet people where they already are - your front door is now online as much as anywhere.
Outreach
Most people give because someone they trust invited them. Keep inviting.
Adaptability
Read your community and respond; the method flexes to your context.
Measurement
Track the few numbers that matter so you can see what's working and adjust.
And a per-person journey runs alongside: visitor → subscriber → first gift → repeat donor → volunteer → champion.
FAQ
Questions about the Nonprofit Growth Lab method
How do I grow a small church?
Focus on the few things that actually move people from visitor to member: a genuinely warm welcome, fast and personal guest follow-up, a clear next step into a group, and developing volunteer leaders so it doesn't all rest on the pastor. 100 Strong gives you a free, step-by-step path through exactly those milestones.
What is the 100 Strong method?
100 Strong is a free, milestone-based path that takes a church from where it is today to 100+ engaged members. It's broken into five phases with practical tools, a church health check, narrated lessons, and weekly tracking, so you always know the highest-impact next step.
Is 100 Strong free?
Yes. 100 Strong is completely free for pastors and church leaders. The guidance, assessments, lessons, and tracking tools are all included at no cost - it's a free service of NetMinistry.
How long does it take to grow a church to 100 members?
It varies by context, but most churches build real momentum within 12 to 24 months when they consistently improve guest follow-up, assimilation, and leadership development. 100 Strong helps you focus on one barrier at a time instead of trying to fix everything at once.
Why do small churches stop growing?
Most plateau for a few predictable reasons: weak guest follow-up, no clear path from first visit to membership, too few developed leaders, and the pastor trying to do everything alone. 100 Strong is built to remove those barriers one at a time.
What tools does 100 Strong include?
A church Health Check, a Growth Audit, a milestone Navigator, weekly metrics tracking, goal-setting, a 501(c)(3) preparation helper, narrated 'Get Strong' lessons, and a curated directory of recommended resources - all free.
Find your milestone, then work the phases.
Start with the free Nonprofit Health Check, or jump into the milestone that fits your nonprofit today.