Nonprofit advisor Dr. Sharon Elefant reveals how to launch a "business with a cause" the RIGHT way — from 501(c)(3) filings to funding strategy.

Most nonprofit founders are passionate about their mission, but have zero background in business. Dr. Sharon Elefant, CEO of The Nonprofit Plug, has helped hundreds of early-stage nonprofits go from idea to impact with a 100% formation success rate.

In this episode of Fiscally Awesome, Matt Gardner (CEO of Hiline) and Dr. Sharon cover:

• Why calling it a "nonprofit" sets you up for failure — and what to say instead
• Fiscal sponsorship: the secret tool to test your idea WITHOUT forming a 501(c)(3)
• The #1 financial investment to make BEFORE hiring a grant writer
• How to reverse-engineer your nonprofit budget from mission to dollar
• What "good money" actually looks like, and the grant traps to avoid
• When and how to build the financial infrastructure that unlocks funding

Whether you're just starting out or cleaning up a mess from bad TikTok advice, this episode will give you the financial foundation to build a sustainable, fundable organization.

🔗 Learn more about The Nonprofit Plug

🔗 Learn more about Hiline

About Fiscally Awesome
Fiscally Awesome is produced by Hiline, where we make small business finances stress-free so you can focus on building a great company. Visit our website or connect with us on LinkedIn to learn more.

Hosted by Matt Gardner, CEO and Co-Founder of Hiline. New episodes drop every other Thursday.

Accounting automation isn't about replacing accountants—it's about eliminating the manual, repetitive tasks drowning your team. Join Matt Gardner (CEO, Hiline) and Em Daigle (Founder, OTTO-MATES) as they tackle the reality of automation in accounting, from broken Excel workflows to AI-powered solutions that actually work.

What You'll Learn:

• Why your accounting process (not just your tech) is holding you back
• The #1 data problem blocking automation success
• How to identify quick wins that free up hours of manual work
• AI vs. automation: when to use each in your finance workflows
• Getting your team to embrace change (without the resistance)
• Practical first steps for small businesses and accounting firms

Featured Guest:

Em Daigle is the founder of OTTO-MATES, an online community of 1,000+ accounting and finance professionals focused on automation and AI. With experience from Arthur Andersen to leading go-to-market strategy at Zuora, Em helps accountants navigate the evolving tech landscape without the hard sell.

Ready to break up with "Ex-Hell" (that massive Excel spreadsheet running your life)? Subscribe for more practical accounting insights from Hiline!

💼 Join the OTT-MATES Community: https://www.otto-mates.com/ (free to join)

🌐 Learn more about Hiline: https://hiline.co

• Why the "old way" of nonprofit finance is costing you more than you think
• How to automate AP/AR, expense management, and month-end close
• The power of dimensional tracking for programs and grants – you might know this as class. tracking
• How to present financials that engage your board (no more glossed-over eyes!)
• Why the right tech stack can replace a $100K+ hire
• Practical first steps to take today

Whether you're an executive director, board member, or nonprofit finance leader, this episode shows you what's possible when you stop retrofitting old processes and start building for the future.

Subscribe for more financial wisdom that actually makes sense for small businesses and nonprofits!