At Chazin, we know that early-stage nonprofits face a unique set of challenges and that they need more than just outsourced accounting. That’s why we created NFP SmartStart, a specialized offering designed for newly founded organizations or those operating with budgets under $500K annually.
NFP SmartStart is an all-in-one solution tailored for emerging nonprofits that need foundational accounting support. With one dedicated team managing everything from onboarding through ongoing advisory, the experience is streamlined and cohesive, delivered through highly customized solutions that grow alongside their needs. Our core services, on the other hand, are designed to scale with more established nonprofits, those with more complex operations and existing infrastructure. Vanessa, who leads the NFP SmartStart team, puts it best, “My main goal is building and maintaining our relationships.”
For NFP SmartStart clients, our team is with them every step of the way, from the first conversation to ongoing check-ins. Below, we’re sharing four recent success stories that show how NFP SmartStart helps nonprofits grow with confidence and clarity.
🏒 Houston Hockey Community: Ready for Grants and Growth
When this sports nonprofit first came to us, their long-time 990 preparers had done their annual filings faithfully, but the organization still struggled to feel “grant ready.” —lacking a clear understanding of their financials and how to use them effectively in grant applications. There wasn’t a financial structure in place to support their vision for growth.
That changed with NFP SmartStart. Our team rebuilt their accounting structure to produce a clearer picture of their financials, improve reporting accuracy, and help them take over some of the internal work themselves. With better visibility into their numbers, the organization was able to make more informed decisions, strengthen their grant applications, and confidently pursue new opportunities for growth.
The difference? With NFP SmartStart, they received hands-on guidance that led to a stronger financial foundation, clearer reports, and the confidence to apply for grants knowing they had a team of experts behind them.
🧾 Straightening Out 1099 Confusion Before the IRS Came Knocking
Two of our NFP SmartStart clients had unintentionally labeled dozens of contractors incorrectly and had set up multiple vendors under the same labels in their systems. This kind of mix-up isn’t just messy; it can lead to IRS red flags for both the individual and the organization.
The NFP SmartStart team worked closely with each client to clean up their records and correctly classify their contractors. That proactive cleanup ensured 1099s went out accurately and gave these nonprofits peace of mind knowing they’d avoided potentially costly compliance issues. We also provided education and put clear processes in place to help ensure they stay compliant moving forward.
📈 Barracks: Real-Time Reports, Real-Time Impact
The team at Barracks came to us needing more than bookkeeping; they needed systems and processes in place. With NFP SmartStart, we helped them set up the tools, workflows, and training they needed to generate financial reports quickly and accurately.
Now, they’re not only tracking growth, they’re also sharing it with their funders. Thanks to their new systems, they can pull KPI-driven impact reports that showcase their progress at a glance. In fact, they were so excited about the transformation, they shared a glowing testimonial about us on LinkedIn.
🏢 Auditor Questions? We’ll Join the Call
An NFP SmartStart client recently went through a financial audit where the initial management letter from the auditor flagged concerns. Instead of the client scrambling to defend themselves, our team joined the audit meeting and served as a liaison between the auditor and the client.
A Chazin team member walked the auditor through the organization’s processes, explained the internal controls in place, and clarified how the systems supported accuracy and integrity. The result? The auditor removed the management comments entirely, leaving the client with a clean audit and stronger credibility in the eyes of their board.
It’s this kind of wraparound support that makes NFP SmartStart unique, offering the same high-quality, hands-on approach as our core services, but delivered by a dedicated team attuned to the specific needs of emerging nonprofits.
Want to learn more about NFP SmartStart or see if it’s right for your nonprofit?
Let’s chat. We’re here to help you build a financial foundation that grows with you.
NFP SmartStart
Built specifically for small and/or start-up nonprofits. NFP SmartStart provides accounting best practices, compliant processes, accurate financial data, and meaningful reporting, to help you lead your organization to the next level.
Read the Full NFP Smartstart Blog Series
Stepping Stones: Paving the Path to Long-Term Financial Success
The Power of Financial Transparency
April 29, 2025
More Than Just Taxes: Why Nonprofits Need to File Returns
March 31, 2025
The Vital Role of Transaction Tracking
February 28, 2025
Understanding the Role of Internal Controls
January 31, 2025
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Chazin
With over 20 years working exclusively with nonprofits, we pride ourselves in having a unique understanding of nonprofit accounting needs. We believe that nonprofits deserve personalized, quality service and should not settle for a one-size-fits-all approach. We collaborate with you to provide a fully virtual and customized solution that is not only cost-effective but also strengthens your accounting function. We offer a team of industry experts at your disposal to provide advice, leading technology, and to supplement existing staff to improve efficiency and compliance.
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