An Exclusive Interview: The Vision of Dr. April Willis for Business and Nonprofit Success
We meet people where they are. We started in this business ten years ago writing resumes at the name-your-price approach so that every person would be able to look like a work of art on paper, regardless of their economic position. We have continued that approach all of these years and still offer a name-your-price approach for resumes, cover letters, and LinkedIn optimization. We also started the National Nonprofit Collaborative as a way to provide consulting supports to nonprofits that couldn't afford a consultant. We have premier services for those who can afford it, and we offer services at prices for those who need a little extra support during challenging times. I think this really sets us apart and allows us to build powerful relationships with our clients.
2. Your extensive experience spans education, small businesses, and nonprofits, guiding organizations toward sustainable growth. How do you balance the diverse needs of these sectors when developing tailored strategies, and what common challenges do you find across them that your consulting approach addresses?
I balance sector needs by focusing on core strengths like clear messaging, systems thinking, and capacity building. Across education, small businesses, and nonprofits, common challenges include limited capacity and disconnected efforts. I also work a lot with people who have really big hearts and want to change the world, but lack the business acumen to do so well and for a long period of time. We allow leaders to do what they do best- solve community challenges– while we work behind the scenes to ensure they have a strong foundation upon which to build their business and then scale it.
Absolutely. One example is how the National Nonprofit Collaborative (NNC) helped a grassroots mental health nonprofit streamline their grant reporting and donor communications. They were spending hours each month juggling spreadsheets and piecing together impact stories. Through NNC, they accessed a shared reporting template, automated email workflows, and storytelling prompts aligned with funder priorities.
As a result, they not only saved time but also saw a 40% increase in donor retention and secured two new grants within six months. This reflects NNC's core vision: when nonprofits spend less time on admin and more on impact, they thrive—and so do the communities they serve. Our goal is to shift the sector from burnout to collaboration, from silos to shared success.
I integrate my academic background by translating theory into tools that work in the real world. Research helps me understand systems, change management, and behavior—but I always ground that in practical application. For example, I might use a theory of change framework to guide a strategic plan, but I'll pair it with simple action steps, clear metrics, and team training.
It's about making complex ideas accessible and actionable. My goal is to help organizations not just hit short-term targets, but build systems, skills, and culture that support long-term resilience—so they're not just surviving, but growing with intention.
A bold vision I have is to get the National Nonprofit Collaborative into the hands of 70% of the nation's nonprofits. We're doing this through a B2B strategy that engages large companies as sponsors, funding annual memberships for nonprofits in the communities they serve. It's a win-win: companies deepen their community impact, and nonprofits gain access to the tools, support, and collaboration they need to thrive. This vision is about scale, sustainability, and building a stronger nonprofit ecosystem—together.
April's work is centered on impact. From her hands-on consulting practice to the continually expanding National Nonprofit Collaborative, April transforms the way people and organizations find success. Her skill at combining strategic intelligence with empathic leadership makes her a go-to voice in an increasingly changing domain. She is more than an advisor; she is a connector, navigator, and champion for those who strive to grow and serve. April's commitment to providing others with usable, quality resources speaks of a clear understanding of the challenges and opportunities between the nonprofit and entrepreneurial sectors. With leaders like April, the future appears to be collaborative, innovative, and decidedly bright.
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