You Have the Mission.
Now Build the Readiness.
New Skills Online helps nonprofit startups and ministry leaders build the documented capacity to qualify for funding, deliver programs, and sustain impact — using the R.A.T.E.S. Framework™.
Trusted by Nonprofit Leaders Nationwide
The Gap Is Not Your Mission. It Is Your Readiness.
Many nonprofit founders come to us after their third or fourth grant rejection. Their mission is real. Their community need is documented. Their passion is undeniable. And yet — the funding is not coming. In many cases I am aware of, the rejection has nothing to do with the mission. It has everything to do with what the proposal cannot prove: that the organization has the systems, infrastructure, and documentation to responsibly manage the funding and deliver measurable results. That gap — between passion and readiness — is exactly what New Skills Online exists to close.
Watch & Learn
Podcast episodes, AI readiness conversations, and curriculum overviews — short videos to help you grow.
New Skills Online Podcast Ep. 1 — Turning Bible Knowledge Into Daily Obedience
AI & Authority — Who's Governing Your AI? (Podcast Episode Teaser)
Keys to True Discipleship — The Complete 15-Week Curriculum (New Book Release)
The R.A.T.E.S. Framework™ — Built to Close the Readiness Gap
Developed by Dr. Margaret Jamal from two decades of front-line nonprofit work, the R.A.T.E.S. Framework™ does more than close the funding gap. It builds the documented capacity to qualify for funding, deliver programs with confidence, and sustain impact long after any single grant ends — so funders find an organization worth investing in, and the community gets one built to last.
R — Response-Ability
Can you clearly articulate the need your organization responds to — and prove you have the capacity to respond consistently?
A — Accountability
Do you have financial controls, a functioning board, and documented governance systems that satisfy funder due diligence?
T — Technical-Ability
Are you using technology and data systems to improve your operations and demonstrate efficiency?
E — Evaluation-Ability
Can you prove what changed because of your program — in outcome data, not just output counts?
S — Sustainability
Is your organization built to survive the end of any single grant — with diversified revenue and a real succession plan?
Spotlight & News
Updated October 8, 2026
Ariana Grande’s Brighter Days Ahead Foundation
Launched in May 2026, this foundation leverages Grande's massive platform to support LGBTQ+ rights, reproductive health, and mental health, recently highlighting nonprofits like Trans Lifeline during her tour.
ABC NewsRyan Seacrest Foundation
The foundation continues to expand its impact through its network of 14 Seacrest Studios, recently appointing Clark Sweat to help further its mission of providing broadcast media centers to pediatric hospitals.
The NonProfit TimesIn the News
ALSAF Launches Celebrity-Powered Fundraising Model
The A-List Social Awareness Foundation (ALSAF) introduced a new digital model in July 2026 designed to help nonprofits scale their global impact by connecting them with celebrity influencers.
Cosmetics and Beauty Sector Funding Trends
The beauty industry has seen a steady stream of funding activity throughout 2026, with multiple brands securing millions in capital as of late September, signaling continued investor interest in consumer startups.
Your AI May Be Ready. But Is Your Organization?
AI can help your organization research, write, fundraise, and serve — but as AI gains access to your data, tools, communications, and decisions, the stakes rise. Responsible AI requires more than good intentions; it requires demonstrable safeguards. The free R.A.T.E.S. Responsible AI Readiness Assessment™ shows whether your organization has the readiness, safeguards, accountability, and evidence needed to govern AI responsibly.
Built for nonprofits, ministries, businesses, schools, and mission-driven organizations.
Start the Free 3-Minute Quick ScanHow Ready Are You for Funding?
Find out how ready your organization is for funding. Take the Easy Readiness Assessment — a 54-point R.A.T.E.S. Framework scoring tool that shows exactly where you stand and what to build next.
Easy Readiness AssessmentR.A.T.E.S. Framework™ — Developed by Dr. Margaret Jamal, New Skills Online, LLC (2009)
AI-Powered Tools Built for Nonprofit Readiness
Impact Builder Suite
All-in-one bundle: Easy Business Developer + Easy Grant Writer Pro + Easy Marketing Pro. Built for nonprofit readiness, not just grant writing.
Learn MoreEasy Grant Writer Pro
AI-powered grant proposal and readiness platform with guided workflows and standardized templates.
Learn MoreEasy Marketing Pro
Full CRM, campaign management, and journey automation. Replace your $500/month marketing stack.
Learn More
Built by Someone Who Has Sat on Both Sides of the Table
Dr. Margaret Jamal is a 12-year Federal Grant Reviewer and Chair for HHS, the Department of Justice, CNCS, and AmeriCorps. She has been on both sides of over $20 million in nonprofit funding — as the grant writer, the Program Director, the donor, the grant maker, and the federal funder. She has trained 200+ organizations, served 2,400+ clients annually, and published 29 books — including 5 on nonprofit development, faith-based discipleship curricula, and the Maggie Pine mystery series.
Read Full BioLearn Something New Today
Straight from the grant reviewer's table — free resources to help you build readiness, not just proposals.
Why Your Grant Proposal Is Failing: The 'Neediness' Trap
Funders can tell the difference between a real need and a performance of desperation. Here's how to fix the tone that's quietly sinking your proposals.
Starting a Nonprofit: The Mission Is Not the First Step
Most founders start with passion and a name. The funded ones start with infrastructure. Here's the order that actually works.
Nonprofit Impact Measurement: Stop Counting Activity and Start Proving Change
Outputs are what you did. Outcomes are what changed. Funders fund the latter — and most organizations never learn the difference.
Available on Amazon and Kindle
New Organizations This Year
75,000
New Nonprofits Registered
This is a reasonable estimate based on historical annual IRS filing trends, which typically see tens of thousands of new tax-exempt organizations registered each year.
2026 YTD
3,800,000
New Startups Launched
This estimate is based on U.S. Census Bureau business formation statistics, which have consistently tracked millions of new business applications annually in recent years.
2026 YTD
Estimates updated October 8, 2026
A Little Brightness
The Michael J. Fox Foundation has funded over $3 billion in research worldwide since its inception to combat Parkinson's disease.
Farm Aid, co-founded by Willie Nelson in 1985, has raised over $90 million to support family farms through its annual benefit concerts.
The Entertainment Industry Foundation, which fiscally sponsors many celebrity nonprofits today, has been supporting Hollywood's philanthropic efforts since 1942.
Your Community Cannot Wait for You to Be Ready.
Let us help you get there faster.
Training Resources
Get in Touch
Have a question or need more information? Reach out to us, and we'll be happy to assist you in strengthening collaboration, capacity building, and achieving sustainable impact.