Orchard's
NONPROFIT TRACK
Orchard’s nonprofit track is designed to equip leaders to innovate and sustainably steward the ministries God has called them to LAUNCH and LEAD. This is the most personalized full-service program Orchard offers for qualified ministry leaders. Many participants of this program have a strong commitment to their faith and a desire to help others but may need help building and scaling a sustainable organization. The nonprofit track provides a constructive and supportive environment to help participants effectively launch or lead their ministry while addressing each leader’s specific operational challenges. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our donors, this transformative program is offered at no cost to accepted participants. Spaces are limited, and each year only a select group is chosen to join, so don’t wait—apply to secure your spot in the next cohort now!
Our next cohort will begin in February 2027. Open enrollment runs from April 30th to August 1st. To be considered for this cohort, please submit your application by August 1st.
The Nonprofit Track offers two cohorts:
If you have an idea for a new ministry, start with our entry-level cohort, Discern. This guided process helps you discern if God is truly leading you to start a new ministry. If the answer is yes, we will help you organize your new initiative and get it started. The final step in this program is to legally incorporate your creative initiative and file for nonprofit status with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
PROGRAM DETAILS
The Nonprofit Track aims to help as many leaders as possible answer God’s call to impact their communities. However, it does require a significant investment of time and effort, and the program emphasizes a culture of accountability to ensure the best possible results. If you are interested in applying, please keep in mind that there are specific criteria that you will need to meet, including:
- Age of Ministry – Is your organization relatively new, five years or younger, or have you led a nonprofit for five years or less? If so, you qualify.
- Cultural Alignment – To ensure your values align with Orchard’s Cultural Clarity Document, please read it by clicking HERE. This shared cultural alignment is essential to building solid partnerships. If you answered “yes” to this, you qualify!
- Financial Need– If you have an established nonprofit, please ensure it qualifies to file a 990 – N postcard with the IRS by clicking HERE. This will help us to understand your organization’s financial needs better. If the answer is yes, you qualify. If you have yet to officially launch your nonprofit organization, you qualify.
- Innovation – We believe that sustainability comes from bold, healthy leadership focused on truly meaningful work. With thousands of incredible organizations already making a difference, we’re committed to supporting unique, non-duplicative initiatives that fill real gaps. To help you determine if your idea is truly innovative, consider these questions:
- Am I serving an unreached or underserved demographic?
- Do other organizations in my area already serve this group? What makes my organization unique?
- Am I introducing a much-needed service or program to a community where it’s never been available before?
Foundations Curriculum– If you’re an early-phase nonprofit leader seeking guidance in building a sustainable organization, Foundations is designed for you. This program provides the essential tools and support to help you establish a strong foundation for lasting impact. The training topics covered in this training include clarifying mission and vision, fundraising, maintaining a healthy board, adhering to IRS compliance, insurance, volunteer engagement, and many more.
Orchard believes that “Community is a Gift,” and we have incorporated this into our Nonprofit Track. Discern and Foundations are conducted through online cohorts of leaders at a similar stage. This provides an opportunity for participants to learn from one another while still receiving “systematically individualized” attention tailored to their needs.
*In order to bypass Discern and go straight to Foundations, applicants will be required to provide proof of several key indicators of foundational development.
Once participants complete Foundations, they receive:
- An individualized strategic plan for the growth of their organization
- An invitation to our online, digital community network of Executive Directors where members can access at-cost consulting, and discounted Preferred Vendor rates.
Are you ready to take the next step in your journey? Open enrollment runs from April 30th to August 1st, with a new cohort starting each February. To be considered for the upcoming cohort, submit your application by August 1st. So don’t delay; our program only accepts a limited number of applicants each calendar year.
Orchard invests approximately $2,000 annually to support each ministry leader effectively. Fortunately, accepted participants do not have to pay anything to participate in this program. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our donors, this transformative opportunity is offered at no cost to participants. The total investment for each leader throughout the program duration is about $15,000.
Orchard partners with generous donors to fund this initiative, which allows us to provide this opportunity to visionary leaders like you. We make a significant effort to identify and select the most committed candidates. Since the program is funded by the generosity of others, participants are expected to uphold high standards of engagement and accountability.
