On Air with Amber Wynn, Philanthrepreneur

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. If you're not sure when or why you should start a nonprofit check out this episode to learn if you should or shouldn't.

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 compensation. Is it time to stop and start living your best life, while you can? Or are you ready to shift your mindset, build a solid infrastructure and generate real revenue? It's time you decide. If you're ready to do the work it takes to run a profitable, impactful nonprofit that changes lives—including your own--then it's time to start fresh!

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.

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.

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 Statement of Need.

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 business costs, not the funders.

Are you self-funding your nonprofit organization? Learn what it takes to get consistent, outside funding that leads to a sustainable nonprofit.

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.

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.

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.

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 think so that you powerfully position your organization for opportunities.

How to recruit board members (you don’t pay), funders, and clients. It starts with a clear purpose. Learn what it entails.

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.

"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.

Not sure if you should start a nonprofit or for-profit? Learn the difference between the two, and which one you should start.

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.

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.

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 reinvigorate your board and establish accountability.

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.

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).

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 in the nonprofit sector.

Do you have your mom, friends, roommate, and lady at the church on your board? Are you having trouble getting them to fundraise and pay board dues? Learn why not having a high caliber board of directors could be costing you and how to recruit high powered members to your nonprofit board.

Are you running your board meetings (IF you can even get them to make the meeting!)? Are you the one reporting out and updating the board? Are you the one driving the fundraising strategy and recruitment? If so, you have to watch this episode to learn what the role of the nonprofit board of directors is so that you can shift the culture and get your board engaged and living up to their fiduciary duties.

Ever wonder why there are so many trainings focused on the board of directors? It's because the IRS Who has bestowed the Board of Directors (not the Founder If they are Executive Director) the power in a public charity. Learn what that means and how that impacts the decision-making, funding, and more!

Have people approached you about replicating your organization in another city, county, or state? Doing exactly what you’re doing, just in another location? If so, you could be generating revenue and expanding your organization through licensing. It’s one way of growing and controlling your organization’s brand. Learn how in this episode.

If your organization has space: a conference room, a multipurpose room, a gym, or parking lot, you should be using it to generate unrestricted revenue. Learn how inside this episode!

One of the most important goals of a nonprofit is visibility. A nonprofit needs to be seen to have its services utilized, but most importantly for Funders to find it. Leverage the Podcast platform for credibility, accessibility, and visibility–but also to generate a consistent revenue stream.

If you or your organization delivers a program in a unique way or produces exceptional results most in your field do not, you can monetize that to generate additional income for both your organization and your staff using the Train the Trainer model. Learn how inside this episode.

Nonprofits can and should sell services or goods to as a part of its diversified funding stream. Learn what type of services and goods a nonprofit could sell to help generate unrestricted revenue and help ensure long-term sustainability.

A nonprofit is a business with a philanthropic purpose. Every business should diversify its funding streams so that the organization is not dependent on just one source of revenue, leaving it vulnerable to sudden and unexpected change. Learn how to diversify a nonprofit’s funding streams for long-term sustainability, adaptability and impact

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.

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.

The most successful nonprofits have leaders who actively seek out resources, partnerships, technology, and people to improve their organization. Active leadership is the driver behind a nonprofit’s sustainability. Get tips on how to shift into active mode!

A company's brand is its identity. What consumers recognize and competitors fear. Why clients and funders choose you over your competitors.

As a nonprofit, your brand should reflect a Public Charity (inclusive). Learn how to build a brand that best represents your organization.

Is your fund development strategy focused on the most lucrative area? 69% of donations to nonprofits come from individual donors. Less than 17% comes from grants. Learn how to increase the return on your fundraising efforts by growing your individual donor base.

I Never say there is such a thing as Free Money, because up until now I didn’t see it. The Employee Retention Credit changes that. Learn how nonprofits and churches may be eligible for unrestricted funding.

There is a Formula for Funding Success. It’s 60% Restricted Funds + 40% Unrestricted Funds. This distribution ensures program coverage, demonstrates to Funders organization stability and viability, and allows the organization to be agile and responsive to the unforeseen.

There is a Formula for Funding Success. It’s 60% Restricted Funds + 40% Unrestricted Funds. This distribution ensures program coverage, demonstrates to Funders organization stability and viability, and allows the organization to be agile and responsive to the unforeseen.

There are always more applicants than money; that’s why it’s important to score high on eligibility screenings. Learn what things piss off Funders’ the most (hint: doing these could easily land your application in the “Rejected!” pile)

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 think so that you powerfully position your organization for opportunities.

No one lives for forever. A responsible, forward-thinking Founder is going to have a Succession Plan and fill the pipeline with the next generation of leaders to ensure the longevity of the organization. Learn how to powerfully position your organization for stability, growth and sustainability with a Nonprofit Succession Plan.

The number 1 arsenal in a nonprofit’s tool kit will: Build Trust, provide constituents with quality info, maintain monthly/quarterly contact, allow it to

Prospect potential funders, offer the organization Metrics, and insight to what their funders like/support, generates revenue, and allows organizations to acknowledge

Staff and Donors, and gets/gives visibility, announce new programs/events

The e-Newsletter ticks all the boxes. Learn how to maximize this powerful yet cost-effective, resource.

Funders aren’t obligated to renew your grant. Learn how to turn a one-time award into a recurring stream of revenue by building a strong relationship with your Program Officer.

If your board isn’t fundraising it could be because it’s stacked with the wrong kind of people. Learn how to stack your board for fundraising success. Shift from “wondering” if your board will bring in consistent funding to guaranteeing it!

Cost savings should be a part of every Fund Development Strategy. Tax exempt  organizations have been given a special status by the IRS to incentivize donations. Learn how to leverage your organization’s tax exempt status, the right way, to maximize budget savings and increase your organization’s flexibility.

Get more bang for your buck: increase engagement with potential funders by leveraging THEIR employee volunteer program. Using a project-based approach, complete your goals by partnering with corporations with employee volunteer programs. Learn how to increase your capacity, increase donor engagement, and increase revenue by helping corporations meet their Corporate Social Responsibility goals

Stop viewing marketing as a traditional FTE “in house staff position” on payroll with potential costly benefits. Shift to project-based marketing that is outsourced, and focused on a particular goal (increase viewers, attract sponsors, increase SEO). This approach to project-based marketing with help increase your revenue without bogging your budget down with traditional staff positions. Get more done for less.