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 6, 2026
Brighter Days Ahead Foundation
Founded by Ariana Grande, this foundation utilizes fiscal sponsorship to strategically distribute funds to various nonprofit causes, demonstrating a modern approach to celebrity philanthropy.
U.S. News & World ReportRyan Seacrest Foundation
The foundation recently appointed Clark Sweat to its leadership team, continuing its mission of operating a national network of broadcast media centers in pediatric hospitals.
The NonProfit TimesIn the News
Nonprofit Grant Funding Trends
Recent reports indicate that private foundations are currently exceeding their required giving thresholds, with over $109 billion in total grant funding available from federal, state, and private sources.
Startup Grant Opportunities
New resources have been highlighted for 2026, including major grant programs from organizations like Google.org and AWS, aimed at helping nonprofits and startups scale their impact.
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 Nonprofit Registrations
This is a reasonable estimate based on historical annual averages of new tax-exempt organization filings in the United States.
2026 YTD
3,500,000
New Startup/Small Business Launches
This estimate reflects the high volume of new business applications typically filed with the U.S. Census Bureau during the first three quarters of a year.
2026 YTD
Estimates updated October 6, 2026
A Little Brightness
The Michael J. Fox Foundation has successfully 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 more than $90 million to support family farms through its iconic annual benefit concerts.
Celebrity-backed nonprofits often find that their greatest challenge is moving beyond initial star power to build a sustainable, community-led volunteer base.
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.