We are excited for this year's Digital Communication Cohort (DCC) opportunity at AMPT: Advancing Nonprofits! 

This cohort experience aims to equip executive directors or communications directors with essential skills and knowledge around digital communications to thrive in the digital world. Over four weeks, cohort members will participate in interactive sessions covering key areas of digital communications.

By the end of this series, each participant will leave with actionable insights and practical tools to strengthen their organization’s digital presence in a way that helps amplify the voices of their communities.

Apply now at bit.ly/AMPTDCCohort2025

This experience aims to build the capacity of executive directors, or evaluations teams with essential skills and knowledge to develop and implement evaluation strategies at their nonprofit organization. 

Over 6 months, cohort members will participate in interactive sessions.

By the end of this series, each participant will leave with actionable insights and practical tools to strengthen their organization’s evaluations processes through a healing-centered, research based and participatory engagement approach.

Apply now at bit.ly/AMPTEvaluationsCohort

This 6-week cohort experience aims to support nonprofit executive directors, who are at the early stages of building out their board, with basic tools, knowledge, and resources around developing a board that will champion their organizational mission and work.

By the end of this series, you'll have an action plan around your board development goals, based on your organization's needs.

This cohort will meet virtually Wednesdays from October thru November.

Apply now at bit.ly/AMPTBuildYourBoard

Join us along with Praxis, to learn more about our upcoming Participatory Evaluations Cohort! This cohort will build the capacity of participants to develop and implement evaluation strategies for program improvement, stakeholder engagement, and collaborative data planning.

Register now at bit.ly/EvaluationsInfoSess

Join us for an info session for AMPT's 2025 Digital Communications Cohort, a 4 week cohort opportunity that aims to equip executive directors or communication's personnel with essential skills and knowledge around digital communications.

Register now at bit.ly/DCCInfoSess2025

Join us for an info session for AMPT's Build Your Board Cohort, a 6-week cohort experience that aims to support nonprofit executive directors, who are at the early stages of building out their board, with basic tools, knowledge, and resources around developing a board that will champion their organizational mission and work.

Register now at bit.ly/BoardCohortInfoSess

Hear from E&ES about the Workforce Solution Program, which awards City of Chicago Grant Reimbursements up to $250,000 for Eligible Workforce Training Expenses!

Register now here!

Join us at this year's Nonprofit Convening for a morning of joyful engagement, deep discussion, problem-solving, and meaningful action to change the philanthropic practices in our city. 

Join us for intentional community building with a dynamic panel conversation between nonprofit and philanthropic leaders who are weighing the risks and still choosing to center their values. 

Our tentative agenda includes:

8:30 AM: Breakfast

9:00 AM: Welcome & Community Building

10:00 AM: Panel and Q&A

11:30 PM: Small group debrief

12:00 PM: Closing

Please register below so that we can save you a spot and reach out with any questions to Ana Agarrat at ana@amptchicago.org.

This event will take place at 167 N Green St, Chicago, IL 60607, 16th Floor. Please note: registration is required for entry.

Sign up now for our waitlist!

This experience will provide Executive Directors with capacity-building tools, skills, and competencies necessary to help strengthen their organizational structures and practices that will better support them in fulfilling their mission.

Over 5 months, AMPT will match each cohort member with an Executive Coach for up to 10 hours of tailored coaching time.

Cohort Members who complete the cohort will receive a $10,000 unrestricted grant.

Apply now at bit.ly/AMPTAntiracistCohort

Join the Leaders of Color Collective & AMPT: Advancing Nonprofits for an evening of networking as well as a panel discussing how nonprofits can diversify their revenue.

Our Panel will include:

Shawn Sorsby - A Step Ahead Chess

Liz Jansen - Women Unite!

Carlos Robles-Shanahan - Duo

Amanda Williams - Chicago United Solidarity Project

This event will take place May 29th from 5:30 - 7:30 PM at 600 West Cermak Road. 

This is a hybrid event that will take place in person at AMPT HQ and livestreamed on Zoom.

Light bites & drinks will be provided. 

This event requires registration for entry. Please note that you will not be permitted into the event without registering before the event begins.

Register now at bit.ly/LOCCAMPTConnect

Join Karlyn Boens to get everything you need to know about our upcoming ARP Cohort!

Register now at bit.ly/ARPInfoSession2025

Join Nima Krodel of NK Consulting as she takes you through:

• Understand Funder Expectations: Identify what funders look for in nonprofit business plans, including financial transparency, program outcomes, and alignment with their interests.

• Craft a Nonprofit Business Plan: Develop a structured document that includes mission alignment, organizational overview, market analysis, program strategies, and funding projections.

• Incorporate Flexibility for Sustainability: Integrate evaluation mechanisms and adaptive strategies to ensure long-term impact and scalability.

Register now at bit.ly/AuyoImpact2

Join Nima Krodel of NK Consulting as she takes you through:

• Defining Clear Goals and Priorities: Establishing mission-aligned objectives and strategic priorities to guide organizational growth.

• Develop a Comprehensive Strategic Plan: Outlining actionable steps, resource needs, timelines, and success metrics for achieving organizational goals.

Register now at bit.ly/AuyoImpact1

AMPT: Advancing Nonprofits (AMPT) is thrilled to announce an opportunity for nonprofits to apply for an AMPT Grant!

Available Amount & Grant Term

• $10,000 capacity-building grant

• Examples of projects include: supplementing program expenses, developing a new program, professional development for staff, or fees related to hiring external consultants

• All 501(c)3 and Fiscally Sponsored organizations can apply; valid IRS standing required

Priority Organizations

• Less than $2,000,000 budget

• Black and Latine-led organizations

• Serves Black and/or Latine neighborhoods in Chicago

• Organizations serving communities of South and/or West side of Chicago

Apply now at bit.ly/AMPTGrant2025

Join us for our first AUYO of the year!

Join Angela Dowell, Chief Financial Officer at the Chicago Community Loan Fund (CCLF), as she takes you through:

• Understanding Nonprofit Audit Requirements

• Preparing for a Successful Audit

• Finding and Hiring the Right Accounting Firm

• Navigating Compliance & Risk Management

• Q&A and Action Planning

Register now to join us at bit.ly/AuyoAccounting2

Join us for our first AUYO of the year!

Join Angela Dowell, Chief Financial Officer at the Chicago Community Loan Fund (CCLF), as she takes you t through:

• Learn the basics of nonprofit financial statements (balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow)

• Understand fund accounting and tracking restricted vs. unrestricted funds

• Explore best practices for budgeting and financial management

• Gain knowledge of accounting tools and software for nonprofits

Register now to join us at bit.ly/AuyoAccounting1

Get all your AMPT Grant questions answered from AMPT Program Team Members Ana Agarrat & Karlyn Boens!

Register now at bit.ly/2025AMPTGrantSession

Join us for our first 2025 AMPT Connect on March 13th from 5:30 - 7 PM at 600 W. Cermak Rd!

Hear from community leaders on how their organizations are choosing to center humanity, lean into joy, and continue moving forward during this uncertain time. Panel discussion followed by networking opportunity.

Hear from our 3 panelists:

Alexandra Sossa - Farmworker and Landscaper Advocacy Project - FLAP

Christopher Cole - DishRoulette Kitchen

Richard Wallace - Equity And Transformation

Light refreshments and drinks will be available throughout the event.

Register now to join us at bit.ly/AMPTConnect

Today is the LAST DAY to apply for the Crisis Management Consulting Program!

This program is designed to provide nonprofit leadership with customized, hands-on guidance to navigate financial instability, operational disruptions, and challenges during times of crisis.

Apply now at bit.ly/AMPTCrisisManagement

Join AMPT as we take you through all you need to know about our upcoming Crisis Management Consulting Program!

Register now for this free event at bit.ly/AMPTCrisisInfoSession

Join Giselle Rodriguez of Illinois Workers in Action to learn about the issues impacting not only Latine & Hispanic communities, but immigrants from all backgrounds across Chicago.

This event will be presented in both English & Spanish.

Register now for this free event at bit.ly/IWAKnowYourRights

Join AMPT Capacity Building Manager Karlyn Boens January 29th at 11 AM for our Partnership Plan Info Session!

Partnership Plans connect nonprofits with experienced consultants, whose services are fully funded by AMPT, to collaboratively design and execute a customized capacity-building project. These projects are designed to address each organization's unique challenges and opportunities, ensuring alignment with their mission and goals.

Over a 3-month period, organizations and consultants work together, supported by monthly check-in calls with AMPT to ensure progress and alignment.

Learn from Karlyn as she takes you through:

• Timelines for each phase of your partnership plan

• Introduction to the RFP templates, guidance materials, and evaluation criteria

• AMPT's role in supporting organizations and consultants

• Q & A

Register now for this free virtual event at bit.ly/AMPTPartnershipPlan

Have questions about our ECC? Join Jarrett Bobo for our Virtual Info Session!

Register now for this free event at bit.ly/ECCInfoSession2025

Join AMPT and Forefront Tuesday, January 14th for our Nonprofit Town Hall!

This virtual event will teach nonprofit organizations about the current federal policies that have implications on the nonprofit sector for orgs who focus on racial justice, social justice and communities that are systematically marginalized.

During the townhall, Holly Ambuehl, Forefront's Director of Policy and Government Affairs, will explain what policies are currently on the table, what they mean, who they impact and how in addition to suggestions for how to think about their impact on our work.

Register now at bit.ly/AMPTForefrontTownHall

AMPT is collaborating with the Social Sector Leadership Program (SSL) at the University of Chicago Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice!

SSL is offering a new “Social Sector Lab” 9 week course, which will match teams of students with AMPT-affiliated organizations to examine a central strategic question that, if answered, could help you make an important decision that could increase your impact.

We are excited to collaborate with this program on this new class, which will emphasize AMPT values of centering community organizations and their leadership in the work of antiracist capacity-building.

Applications close December 16th. If you have any questions, contact Director of People & Programs Ana Agarrat Abel at ana@amptchicago.org.

Apply now at bit.ly/AMPTLab

Join us to learn about the all new updates for our AMPT Programs in 2025!

We will be sharing our program calendar, including AUYO, Cohorts, Grants, and all you need to know to be involved.

Register now here!

Get all your SSL questions answered from our very own Ana Agarrat!

Register now at bit.ly/AMPTLabOfficeHours

Join us November 7th In conjunction with our values of community & collaboration, AMPT: Advancing Nonprofits & Leaders of Color Collective are combining our previous November events to come together as a community for LoCC in at AMPT!

LoCC in at AMPT will take the Leaders of Color Collective & Nonprofit Sharespace’s missions of community, support, and resources for BIPOC nonprofit leaders and combine them for maximum connection & impact.

This event will now take place on November 7th at AMPT HQ - 600 West Cermak Road from 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM. Food & drinks will be provided. 

Register Now!

Join AMPT Capacity Building Manager Manager Karlyn Boens on November 5th for AUYO: Amplify Your Rest: A Radical Form of Self-Care! Register now at bit.ly/AuyoRest

Join AMPT Learning & Development Manager Jaz Ocampo on October 8th for AUYO: Amplify Your Evaluation! Register now at bit.ly/AuyoEval