Every year, billions of dollars in federal, state, and foundation grants go unclaimed by churches and small non-profits - not because their missions weren't worthy, but because their organizations weren't ready. No EIN. No SAM.gov registration. A lapsed corporate filing. A board of relatives. A Kingdom-sized mission being run through a personal Cash App.
This book closes that gap.
In twelve practical, sequential chapters, Dr. Rod Joseph walks pastors, ministry founders, executive directors, and nonprofit boards through every legal, structural, and procurement step required to position their organization as credible, audit-ready, and fundable. No finance background required. No grant writer on staff. Just a clear path, in the right order.
Inside, you'll learn how to:
Incorporate properly in Florida and avoid the three "red-flag" board mistakes that disqualify applicants before reviewSecure your EIN, IRS Letter of Determination, and Florida sales-tax exemption (and save thousands a year doing it)Stay in compliance with FDACS, zoning, the May 1 annual report deadline, and Form 990 rules - including the church exemptions most leaders don't know they haveBuild the banking, bookkeeping, and digital presence that make funders take you seriouslyRegister on SAM.gov, Grants.gov, and the state and county portals where the real money flowsNavigate the 2025-2026 federal grant landscape - FEMA Nonprofit Security ($274.5M), HHS, HUD, USDA, DOJ, and Department of Education programsTap into Florida-specific opportunities, denominational foundations, corporate giving, and Google's $10,000/month Ad GrantWrite the eight sections of a winning proposal - and avoid the fifteen mistakes that get applications rejectedManage post-award compliance, reporting, and renewals so one grant becomes fiveIncludes:
Action checklists at the end of every chapterA 90-Day Launch Checklist that takes you from "unincorporated idea" to "first proposal submitted"A Florida resource directory, glossary of grant terms, and a sample document indexInsider warnings, true stories, and the hard-won tips that only come from years in the fieldWhether you're a brand-new ministry founder or an established nonprofit leader who keeps hitting the same funding ceiling, From Tithes to Grants gives you the complete playbook to qualify for, win, and keep the funding your community deserves.
The mission is not enough. Funders give money to organizations that are set up correctly, registered correctly, and documented correctly. This book makes you one of them.
Perfect for: Pastors - Ministry founders - Nonprofit executive directors - Faith-based community organizations - Volunteer boards - Florida-based 501(c)(3)