The Small Business Center at Bladen Community College is offering a series of classes that will address all the needs of starting up and managing a nonprofit. Instructor Cynthia Ellis will guide participants through the essential steps of launching and running a nonprofit association, from spark to sustainability including all the good parts – vision, community impact, purpose – as well as the nitty-gritty: bylaws, boards, tax forms and the IRS. The series will unpack what it means to be a 501(c)(3) and how to structure a nonprofit so it can do real, lasting good.

The series includes three classes that will be held on the BCC campus every Saturday morning, starting on September 13. The classes are free but registration is required.

How to Start a Nonprofit 

Saturday, September 13, 2025 – 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Bladen Community College, Bldg. 14, Room 104

Learn the state and federal legal filing requirements to start a nonprofit organization. This seminar will cover bylaws, boards and budgets

Nonprofit Funding Strategies: Grants & Donors 

Saturday, September 20, 2025 – 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Bladen Community College, Bldg. 14, Room 104

Learn how to find and apply for grants, build donor relationships and secure corporate sponsorships. 

Building a High-Impact Nonprofit: Growth & Sustainability 

Saturday, September 27, 2025 – 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Bladen Community College, Bldg. 14, Room 104

Learn about nonprofit scaling strategies, forming community partnerships, and maximizing social impact and creating self-sustaining revenue streams.

To register for the classes, call the Small Business Center at 910-879-5572 or visit the website at https://bladencc.edu/support/campus-resources/small-business-center/