Worcester Business Journal

F O C U S D I V E R S I T Y & I N C L U S I O N BY ISABEL TEHAN WBJ Staff Writer W hen Ronald Waddell made the move to start turning his concept for Legendary Legacies, a gang rehabilitation and re-entry program, into a nonprofit, all that made up his business assets were a couple of polo shirts, some business cards, and an idea. Waddell spent the beginning of his career in the corporate world and had his first experience working with nonprofits in 2015. By 2018, he had a vision to start his own nonprofit, working to empower young men on the margins, to develop community relationships and skills to help former gang members re-enter and re-situate their lives. When administrative concerns and funding prevented Waddell from continuing his work as part of larger community organizations, Waddell saw starting his own organization as the solution. Moving his nonprofit from the startup phase to a solid place has been an grueling endeavor, an experience not singular to Waddell and Legendary Legacies. Across Central Massachusetts, entrepreneurial individuals with community mindsets look to start nonprofits, but access to resources can be challenging. "It's hard to get trust from grant givers as a young nonprofit," said Waddell. Teaching business skills Waddell had deep ties in the Worcester community when he launched Legendary Legacies, having been a staff member at the Worcester Community Action Council. Since 2019, Waddell has secured for Legendary Legacies grants of ascending value, with multiple topping $100,000, and has relied on those relationships with other nonprofit leaders for guidance. "You don't know what you don't know," said Waddell. Legendary Legacies used its first grant to hire a consultant to provide guidance for a strategic plan, Waddell said, which jumpstarted next steps, but the complex world of grant applications and grant requirements has meant Waddell continually leans on his community for resources. Now, his nonprofit has $756,481 in annual revenue and $334,454 in assets, according to its 2021 tax filings, the most recent year available on nonprofit data website Guidestar. But not every nonprofit-starter has mentors in a position to provide that kind of guidance. One resource for startup nonprofits in the region is e Organization for Nonprofit Excellence, ONE Worcester, which is expanding its operations to help area nonprofits build themselves up with an eye toward access and inclusion. ONE Worcester provides consulting and business Building STRONG nonprofits Startup nonprofits are finding mentorship and learning business acumen as they work to become thriving, sustainable contributors to the community 24 Worcester Business Journal | September 4, 2023 | wbjournal.com PHOTO | MATT WRIGHT Ronald Waddell launched his own nonprofit to pursue his commitment to Worcester area youth on the margins.

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