AMPO Research
A year of research with nonprofit leaders, board members, funders, consultants, and sector experts. Four findings, published as readable pages and downloadable reports.
Research & Learning
AMPO turns sector patterns into practical nonprofit tools.
Research identifies recurring patterns. Thought leadership gives those patterns clear language. The AMPO Learning Studio teaches practical application. Strategic Planning and Annual Needs Fundraising help organizations act.
The Research Behind the Work
- 57+research conversations
- 26states represented
- 566pages of transcripts
- 20+years of sector experience
What Lives Here
Five ways into the work.
AMPO Learning Studio
Expert-led series and episodes built for boards, executive leaders, and practical follow-through, each paired with a tool.
Perspectives
Short articles on what AMPO is seeing across the sector and what the pattern means for a single organization.
Frameworks and tools
The four planning lenses, the four system movements, board-ready instruments, and practical resources that carry the work into use.
Downloads and resources
The Executive Brief, the Comprehensive Research Synthesis, and tools connected to Learning Studio episodes.
The Four Findings
What kept surfacing.
The Marketing Mirage
63% of stakeholders interviewed surfaced The Marketing Mirage. Leaders often reach for better marketing first, while the deeper need sits upstream in strategy, focus, goals, or audience clarity.
Board Engagement Crisis
75% of participants described the Board Engagement Crisis. A small group often carries most of the work while other board members wait for a clearer way to contribute.
Operational Infrastructure Gaps
67% of stakeholders interviewed surfaced Operational Infrastructure Gaps. Growth becomes harder when knowledge, systems, and follow-through live in a few people’s heads.
Donor Stewardship Failure
79% of stakeholders interviewed described Donor Stewardship Failure. Many organizations acknowledge the gift but miss the relationship-building practices that support donor trust and retention.
Learning That Translates
“I loved Amy’s presentation. It was so helpful that I could not write fast enough. The information was easy to understand and follow, and the structure and slides made everything feel clear, organized, and actionable.”
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