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.

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 selected for funding.

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!).

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!

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.

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 have to 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.