If you've ever been in the situation where you've submitted a grant requesting a specific amount, but the Funder responded offering your organization much less than your request, you might be at a quandry at how to respond. On the one hand, some money is better than none, so you want to accept the reduced amount, but at the same time you know you c…

AI is everywhere. You can't hide from it. If leveraged the right way, AI can be used to increase efficiencies in the nonprofit. Learn how AI might be used in the nonprofit to help increase capacity and fill gaps that struggling budgets aren't able to fill. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/amber-wynn/support…

How do Funders view volunteer-based and volunteer-led nonprofits? It may not be what you think? Funders are concerned with accountability, continuity, and consistency. Learn how to make your funder feel comfortable with funding your organization if it is volunteer-driven. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/amber-wynn/…

Government grants tend to be large, multi-year grants. To the untrained eye, a government grant may seem like a great solution to your funding woes. While large multi-year grants are great there are a lot of compliance issues surrounding government grants that nonprofit leaders should be aware of before they pursue and land one. Learn what they are…

The Nonprofit Board of Directors has its Fiduciary responsibilities to govern the organization. But what about the Advisory Board? Does it have role? It can. Learn the two ways to strategically leverage an Advisory board to help strengthen your nonprofit. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/amber-wynn/support…

We all have someting to offer, because we all have tried and failed, tried and won. With resources so limited in the nonprofit sector, we win by sharing knowledge and resources--not by competing. Let's pool our shared wealth of knowledge and insider secrets with those struggling to make this world a better place and fill the gaps that prevents our …

Are you posting on IG like crazy, but not seeing any return on your efforts? It could be that your donors aren't on IG. Learn how to research and identify which platforms your potential donors are on and how to reach them for more effective fundraising outcomes. Meet your donors where they are. Nonprofit marketing and fundraising requires strategy …

When you start a nonprofit, there is a huge learning curve. Many nonprofit leaders do things that don't align with industry practices and norms. Instead of addressing these missteps, they keep them in place, not knowling that they serve as red flags to Funders and nonprofit leaders in the sector. When you know better, do better. If you don't know h…

There are times when nonprofits need to collaborate and times when they are in competition. It's important to understand when, how, and how best to cultivate collaborations, and when, how, and how best to set your organization a part from your competitors to win grants. Learn the in's and outs to powerfully set your organization up for success. ---…

If you got into this thinking grant money was waiting for you. If you thought it would be easy (not a Real business). If you though you could just make stuff up and get funded. You picked the wrong business! Running a PROFITABLE nonprofit takes more work than running a for profit business. Learn all it takes to be successful as a nonprofit organiza…

Funders don't know you from eve. All they know is what you show them. Words have meaning to the IRS. What are your coordinates? What street will your sign lead funders to? Stop making stuff up. It hurts you in the end. Learn what your lack of knowledge could be doing to your ability to generate revenue and how to change directions so that you lead …

Are you at every community meeting? Do you sit on multiple committees? Join every rally? If so, ask yourself if those efforts are moving your organization forward? Chances are they are not. What they are doing is keeping you Busy. Learn how to develop a strategy that maximized your time and effort. Learn how to Stop Moving and start Being in Action…

Be careful when accepting donations. Because they are tax deductible, individuals/companies are incentivized to donate. However, often these donations may not align with your organization's goals, may be obsolete and unusable, and end up costing the organization either in space, time trying to figure out how to use it, or money--getting rid of it. …

You may have a mission statement, a budget, program descriptions, and a board of directors. But, are they Funder-Ready? Funders use the documents they request to weed out nonprofits. Learn what Funder-Ready means, and how to get there. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/amber-wynn/support…

Funders need to know if they cut you a 6-figure check, they will be able to determine if your nonprofit made an impact or not. They use the measures you set as the barometer for accomplishing your goals. Learn how craft measurable goals that help you tell your Success Story. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/amber-wy…

Not getting funded? It could be how you describe your Programs and Projects. A Funder doesn't know you or the work you do. If you don't explain your programs in a way that shows ROI, you could be missing an opportunity. Learn exactly what it is a funder is looking for so you can increase your odds of securing funding. --- Support this podcast: http…

There's a lot of conversation around the disconnect between the Full Costs of running a nonprofit and what Funders cover (90% Direct Cost v 10% Direct Cost). Learn the Funder's perspective behind funding a nonprofit's overhead and how it impacts your organization. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/amber-wynn/support…

Mission creep is when take money to administer programs that aren't aligned with your mission. You take the money to fill gaps. It's tempting but it's expensive: you need to hire staff, that takes away resources, but most importantly it distorts your IMPACT. Instead of chasing money, build out your organization to position it for consistent revenue…

If you're struggling to move to the next level, you need to assess where your organization is. What stage? Be truthful. When you know what stage it's in, you can move to the next stage by checking off the foundational elements you have (or don't have). Don't check off the box to move forward. If you've been self-funding your organization, chances a…

Funders look for proof of success when determining who they will fund. Get some quick wins: quotes, testimonials, praise from collaborators. Show your impact: Pre/Post Tests, graduations, Sign in sheets, number of clients served, food bags given away, volunteer hours transformations. Build a track record by demonstrating proof of impact. --- Suppor…

An Org. assessment is like your vehicle 3,000 mile check up where you look under the hood to proactively catch issues early, before they become costly. Lift your head up, get out the weeds. Make sure your programs are relevant. Make sure your staff is happy. An assessment helps you stay in the know, prioritize, and develop a strategy to get you bac…

Today we're celebrating my 100th Episode by sharing my journey, lessons learned, and words of wisdom to nonprofit leaders on how to make true impact in their communities, the nonprofit sector, and their lives. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/amber-wynn/support

Nonprofits compete for a small pot of money. Funders aren't handing out money to any nonprofit just because they have a tax exempt status! They select the most qualified nonprofits to fund. "Qualified" comes down to Proof. In this episode, learn how to define, capture, quantify, and demonstrate Proof to Funders to increase your chances of being sel…

Ever wonder why we haven't moved the needle on most causes plaguing society? With over 1.45 million nonprofits in the US you'd think we'd solved some of our problems. There are plenty of reasons, and some simple solutions. Check out this episode for some insights on the plan for how to solve the big problems (hint: it requires some Big Solutions!) …

Funders fund programs, not businesses. It's not their responsibility to cover business expenses, yet 90% of Founders and Executive Directors expect them to. Keeping them in poverty mode. Learn what the Funder's Perspective is, why it matters, and what you should be asking funders for so your proposals are funded (and how to cover the rest!). --- Su…

Are You Struggling to Fill Your Programs? There could be many reasons why. Marketing, need, a change in your community. What can and should you do to address a drop in your enrollment? Take a listen to this episode for ways to address how to get more butts in the seats in your programs! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/s…

Do Your Descriptions Clearly Reflect Your Mission? Funders use your mission and program descriptions to determine alignment with their funding goals. With so much at stake, don't risk getting screened out of a funding opportunity because you didn't understand how important clear, measurable, and targeted descriptions are. Learn more in this episode…

If you're thinking about starting a nonprofit but aren't sure if you should or shouldn't, this episode will help you to decide. Starting a nonprofit is starting a business. If you think you will "get a grant " to start a nonprofit - then, No. You shouldn't start a nonprofit. If you have at least $25K to start your nonprofit, then yes, you should. I…

Is it time to dissolve your nonprofit? if you're constantly self-funding your organization, and your "We" is really "You", if you don't have paid staff and your volunteers won't pick up your call. And you're delivering the same programs, with no growth or innovation. But mostly, if you're sacrificing YOU to give to your community with no compensati…

You can make a difference in your community as a for profit business. You’d probably make more of an impact than if you formed a nonprofit. This episode will explain how. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/amber-wynn/support

There’s more to starting a nonprofit than passion and commitment. You know the reasons why you should start a nonprofit. Learn the 5 Reasons why you shouldn’t. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/amber-wynn/support

Funders don’t just write checks because nonprofits ask for support. They need to be inspired and believe their money will make a difference. The Statement of Need is an essential tool for demonstrating need. Without the justification, Funders will not support your cause. Find out how to validate the need in your community; what goes into a Statemen…

Did you start your nonprofit organization because you thought it would be easy? Or, you thought you'd get grants to help you serve your community? People start nonprofits without understanding that there are rules that must be followed, infrastructures that must be in place, and systems that can produce information, in order to qualify for funding.…

*Originally published on November 1, 2021*In this episode, Amber explains why "Nonprofit" doesn't mean "No Profit." A nonprofit is a business (it's just a business with a philanthropic purpose), and every business has expenses. That's why nonprofits MUST generate revenue to cover those expenses. *It is the organization's responsibility to cover bus…

Are you self-funding your nonprofit organization? Learn what it takes to get consistent, outside funding that leads to a sustainable nonprofit. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/amber-wynn/support

How do you get grants as a start-up? You’re competing against organizations with long track records. Learn what you must have, do, and how to get them before applying and getting rejected for grants. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/amber-wynn/support

How to qualify for grants? Funders request financial statements to help determine eligibility. How do you produce the financial statements? You need systems in place that track, monitor, and produce reports both the IRS and Funders need. Learn what they are and how to create them. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/am…

How to get a salary? How to hire a paid staff? There’s a formula and it’s based on your leadership team. Learn the formula and how to go from volunteer to receiving a check every month. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/amber-wynn/support

Funders don't fund events, camps, workshops. One-time engagements don’t create change. Events are for visibility and are best aligned with marketing dollars. They sponsor them. Grants are for projects/programs that are administered over time. Funders want to see a change. If long term sustainability is your goal, you have to understand how Funders …

How to recruit board members (you don’t pay), funders, and clients. It starts with a clear purpose. Learn what it entails. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/amber-wynn/support

How to start a nonprofit in terms of building out the most important foundational elements of the organization - the infrastructure. Step 2 is the key to getting grants, recruiting board members, and becoming funder-ready. This is the part of starting a nonprofit that most Founders skip. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/…

"How to start a nonprofit?” means more than just getting a 501(c)(3) tax exemption. It’s a 2-step process. Step 1 is forming the Legal Entity. Learn what this means and why it’s an important part of the nonprofit success roadmap. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/amber-wynn/support…

Not sure if you should start a nonprofit or for-profit? Learn the difference between the two, and which one you should start. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/amber-wynn/support

Thinking about starting a nonprofit? Struggling to fund your nonprofit? Overwhelmed? Before starting a nonprofit, learn the 7 Stages of a Successful nonprofit and get clarity on what should be done to start, fund, and run a profitable nonprofit organization before spending a dime. Link: 7 Stages of the Nonprofit Success Roadmap --- Support this pod…

Nonprofits are required to adhere funder, IRS, and authorized agency's rules and regulations. Failure to follow pre-established rules and remain in compliance could land your organization on the suspended or disbarred list. Learn what to do to avoid being placed on those lists. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/amber…

A nonprofit is a business, accountable to authorized agencies who help ensure the organization is operating as a viable tax-exempt organization. Learn what these agencies are and what type of compliance expectations you should be investigation to prevent losing your tax-exempt status or incurring fines for failure to file required paperwork. --- Su…

What is an engaged board? Board members are ambassadors for the organization. But if they don't attend activities or programs then they won't be able to describe the organization's impact from first-hand experience. If they're too busy to even attend board meetings then they don't have a grasp of organization's inner workings. Learn how to reinvigo…

The board is responsible for governing the organization. If the members are disengaged, so goes the nonprofit. Culture is intentional. Learn how to create a culture active, engaged board members who support the organization. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/amber-wynn/support…

Are you an Executive Director whose board doesn't do anything? Boards go through phases. Growth comes from adding seasoned board members who understand their responsibilities. Learn why having a seasoned board is important to the growth and consistent funding of your nonprofit (especially if You don't have much board experience). --- Support this p…

Are you both President and Executive Director (President/CEO)? If so, you could be costing your organization funding. Combined is a corporate title. Many Executive Directors use the combination not knowing the President is authorized to hire and fire the Executive Director and is a red flag for funders. Learn more about titles and why they matter i…