$10K
Phases 1–2 · per month
First Base
Your first recurring base (~$120K/yr)
What it feels like
Real but fragile. You've proven people will give on a repeating basis, and about $120K a year covers the basics - maybe your first part-time help. It still rests almost entirely on you.
Why nonprofits stall here
Every dollar still flows through the founder's personal relationships, so one lapsed donor or one slow month is felt immediately.
The breakthrough move
Turn first-time givers into committed monthly supporters and build the simple systems - a CRM, a fast thank-you, a monthly appeal - that make recurring revenue predictable instead of personal.
Your focus at this milestone
Convert one-time gifts into monthly giving
Stand up a CRM and a 48-hour thank-you
Publish one impact story a month
Recruit your first part-time help