New Community Helps Nonprofit Leaders Strengthen Fundraising Systems to Raise Their First $25K or Increase Fundraising by 25%

Chicago, IL — December, 2025 — Nonprofit Utopia, a trusted nonprofit capacity-building ecosystem, today announced the launch of the Nonprofit Utopia Impact Circle, a year-long learning and support community designed to help nonprofit leaders strengthen fundraising strategies, build durable systems, and grow more sustainable organizations.

The Nonprofit Utopia Impact Circle is part of the broader Nonprofit Utopia ecosystem, which supports nonprofit leaders through courses, coaching, consulting, and community. The Impact Circle brings together nonprofit founders, executive directors, and senior staff navigating increased funding pressures, regulatory complexity, and rising expectations for transparency and results.

Through a structured learning journey, expert guidance, and peer accountability, participants move from reactive fundraising and isolated leadership toward intentional systems, disciplined decision-making, and sustainable growth.

“Too many nonprofit leaders are expected to figure fundraising, compliance, and sustainability on their own—while carrying enormous responsibility,” said Valerie F. Leonard, founder of Nonprofit Utopia. “The Impact Circle replaces guesswork with structure and isolation with community so leaders can build organizations that are stable, credible, and positioned to grow.”

An Ecosystem-Based Approach to Fundraising and Leadership

Unlike stand-alone trainings or low-engagement memberships, the Impact Circle is structured as a continuous learning experience anchored within the Nonprofit Utopia ecosystem. Monthly themes follow the nonprofit funding and leadership cycle, helping participants strengthen infrastructure, improve fundraising discipline, and build organizational trust over time.

Programming includes:

• A one-year subscription to GrantStation
• Prospect research and grant-seeking support
• Assistance registering with state and federal grant portals
• Technical assistance to support ongoing nonprofit compliance
• Strategies to increase visibility, transparency, and public trust
• Live virtual workshops and hands-on implementation labs
• Peer learning, facilitated discussions, and accountability
• Practical tools, templates, and structured challenges
• Guest experts and demonstrations of vetted nonprofit resources
• Access to complimentary content from David Beckett, an internationally-recognized pitch coach and creator of The Best 3 Minutes^® methodology

This approach enables nonprofit leaders to apply what they learn in real time while building habits and systems that last beyond a single training or grant cycle.

Clear Purpose. Measurable Outcomes.

The Nonprofit Utopia Impact Circle is guided by a clear, outcome-driven purpose:

“We bring together nonprofit founders and directors who are strengthening their fundraising strategies and systems to learn what works, practice proven skills alongside peers, and support one another every step of the way. We help nonprofit startups raise their first $25K and more established organizations increase fundraising by 25%, grow sustainable organizations, and create meaningful impact in the communities we serve.”

Participants range from early-stage founders working to secure first-time funding to experienced nonprofit leaders focused on diversifying revenue, improving systems, and strengthening organizational sustainability.

Built by Practitioners, for Practitioners

Nonprofit Utopia is grounded in real-world nonprofit leadership experience. Founder Valerie F. Leonard is a former founding executive director of a neighborhood grantmaking organization and a nationally respected nonprofit consultant, educator, and civic leader. She brings decades of hands-on experience supporting nonprofit startups and established organizations across leadership, governance, fundraising, compliance, and strategy. Over the years, she has helped nonprofit organizations raise over $100 million through grant writing and technical assistance.

Leonard is also the creator of the proprietary ASCEND™ and LEGACY™ frameworks, which inform the Impact Circle curriculum and help leaders clarify priorities, strengthen systems, and lead with intention.

Enrollment for the Nonprofit Utopia Impact Circle is now open, with programming beginning in January.

A complimentary information session will be held on Friday, December 19, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. CT.
Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/EaHdf17nS96wyXyDH8aNUQ

For questions, email info@nonprofitutopia.com.
Learn more at https://nonprofitutopia.com.

About Nonprofit Utopia

Nonprofit Utopia is a Chicago-based nonprofit capacity-building ecosystem supporting nonprofit leaders through courses, coaching, consulting, and community. Founded by Valerie F. Leonard, Nonprofit Utopia equips leaders with practical frameworks, compliance guidance, and fundraising systems to build strong, financially sustainable nonprofit organizations that create lasting community impact. Visit https://nonprofitutopia.com.

Contact:  Valerie F. Leonard, Founder, Nonprofit Utopia, LLC

                 773-571-3886; valeriefleonard@nonprofitutopia.com

https://nonprofitutopia.com