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Amber Melanie Smith

I am on a mission to equip nonprofit and social impact changemakers with the tools and resources to grow their impacts. Join me and over 73,000 changemakers on my social impact-focused YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/ambermelaniesmith!

Featured Post

We’re Halfway Through 2025?! Nonprofit Planning for 2026

4 Ways to Start Planning for Next Year Read time: 3-4 Minutes Okay, let’s talk about the elephant in the room. 2025 has been full of curveballs for nonprofits, especially when it comes to federal funding and policy decisions that directly impact nonprofit budgets and program planning. If you’re feeling stuck or hesitant about what comes next, you’re not alone. But here’s the good news: this kind of uncertainty actually underscores why it’s so important to look ahead. It's a smart time to...

Is Your Nonprofit’sInstagram Worth Following? Read time: 3-4 Minutes Real quick -- if you didn't get a chance to answer my quick poll last week, will you let me know what you think? I'm considering launching some toolkits (templates, resources, special training content) to hopefully help out with some key areas I get questions about a lot: Which Toolkit(s) would you want if I made them? From Zero to your first $100,000 for Nonprofit Start-Ups For your Board members: Nonprofit Board Governance...

A man reading facts on a laptop with amazement

Things (Most) PeopleDon't Know About Nonprofits Read time: 4 Minutes Real quick -- will you let me know what you think? I'm considering launching some toolkits (templates, resources, special training content) to hopefully help out with some key areas I get questions about a lot. Which of these topics would you be most excited about? Which Toolkit(s) would you want if I made them? From Zero to your first $100,000 for Nonprofit Start-Ups For your Board members: Nonprofit Board Governance Basics...

4 Tips for Overcoming Your Fear of Fundraising Read time: 4 Minutes Let’s be real: fundraising can feel intimidating, especially when it’s time to ask for money. Your heart’s racing, your palms are sweaty, and suddenly that coffee meeting with a potential donor feels more like a high-stakes pitch. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. In fact, in one of my recent Fundraising 101 videos, we talk about why fundraising activates a stress response (yep, science!) and how to start shifting...

4 Tips for Recruiting theRIGHT Board Members Read time: 4-5 Minutes Building a strong nonprofit board is easier said than done, but can make or break your efforts. You want people who genuinely care about your mission, bring valuable skills to the table, and aren’t afraid to roll up their sleeves when it’s time to get things done. But if you’re just starting out, finding the right board members can feel a bit daunting. In this issue of Changemaker Mondays ☀️ ☕ 🌍, we’re breaking down a few...

Is an Earned Income StrategyRight for Your Nonprofit? Read time: 4 Minutes Ever thought about adding a reliable, flexible income stream to your nonprofit’s budget? That’s where an earned income strategy comes in. If you’re curious about how to actually set one up, check out my YouTube video for a deep dive into earned income models. In this week’s issue of Changemaker Mondays ☀️ ☕ 🌍, we’re breaking down four key things to consider before diving into an earned income strategy. Changemaker...

5 Tips to Make Your Nonprofit Brand Stand Out (Without a Big Budget) Read time: 4 Minutes A strong brand can drive donations, boost volunteer sign ups, and amplify your impacts. And the good news is: You don’t need a big budget to build a brand that gets remembered. You just need a clear message, a consistent look, and a story that sticks. Whether you're a one-person shop or part of a growing team, your nonprofit already has a brand. The question is: Are you shaping it, or letting it shape...

How Memberships Build Community and Revenue for Your Nonprofit Read time: 4 Minutes If the word “membership” makes you think of gym keycards or Netflix subscriptions, don’t worry, we’re not going there. But wouldn’t it be great if your supporters showed up like that for your mission? Nonprofit memberships can do exactly that. In this issue of Changemaker Mondays ☀️ ☕ 🌍, we’re exploring how the right membership model can bring in steady revenue, build deeper connections, and give your biggest...

How to Write a Case for Support Read time: 4 Minutes Imagine you’re pitching your nonprofit to a room full of potential funders. You wrap up your story, and… crickets. 😬 Chances are, you didn’t make your case. In this week’s issue of Changemaker Mondays ☀️ ☕ 🌍, we’re diving into the latest video in our Fundraising 101 series—how to write a strong Case for Support. Think of it as your nonprofit’s pitch deck: part vision, impact, and humble brag. We’ll preview 2 of the 5 essential tips to get...

3 Tips to Make Your Board Meeting More Effective Read time: 4 Minutes Leaving a board meeting feeling energized, focused, and even a little inspired? That’s the goal. But let’s be honest… not all meetings feel that way. Whether you’re a board member, nonprofit staffer, or someone who’s just sat through a few too many long agendas, these tips are for you. They’re designed to help you lead better meetings, feel more connected, and get more done—no matter your role. In this issue of Changemaker...