AMPT: Advancing Nonprofits

AMPT: Advancing Nonprofits Capacity-building initiative dedicated to the development of Black & Latine nonprofits in Chicago

In TWO WEEKS, join us for a free AUYO Workshop!In this workshop, led by AMPT Senior Manager of Programs Cameron Barnes, ...
06/02/2026

In TWO WEEKS, join us for a free AUYO Workshop!

In this workshop, led by AMPT Senior Manager of Programs Cameron Barnes, you’ll learn to:

- Strengthen understanding of how to transition from small, local, or family foundation grants to larger federal, state, and corporate funding opportunities

- Develop skills for managing restricted funds at scale, including compliance, reporting, and tracking requirements

- Explore strategies for building organizational capacity to manage multi-year and high-dollar grants effectively

This workshop will take place Tuesday, June 16th at 11 AM via Zoom

Register now at bit.ly/AuyoGrantManagement

In two weeks, join us at the 2026 AMPT Nonprofit Convening!Join us for a morning of joyful connection and deep discussio...
06/01/2026

In two weeks, join us at the 2026 AMPT Nonprofit Convening!

Join us for a morning of joyful connection and deep discussion as we seek to change the philanthropic practices in our city.

This event will also include an engaging panel, featuring:

- Kyra Marcano, Executive Director of Chicago Run
- Mekazin Alexander, Executive Director and Co-Founder of BA NIA Inc.
- Kate McAdams, Executive Director of J.P. Morgan Advisory

This panel will be moderated by Adriana Viteri, Senior Philanthropic Advisor at The Chicago Community Trust.

This event will take place on June 15th from 9 AM - 12 PM at the Willis Tower in Downtown Chicago.

Registration is required for entry. Space is limited.

Register now at bit.ly/NonprofitConvening26

AMPT Connect is almost here!Meet with the AMPT Community this Thursday, June 4th at 5:30 PM at 600 West Cermak Road for ...
06/01/2026

AMPT Connect is almost here!

Meet with the AMPT Community this Thursday, June 4th at 5:30 PM at 600 West Cermak Road for a night of food and networking, as well as a collaborative panel conversation with community leaders about how organizations are navigating challenges related to immigration enforcement and its impact on Chicago’s Latine communities.

Our panelists include:

Brian Herrera, Latino Policy Forum
James Fields, Fields of Dreams Chicago
Marcela Rodriguez, Enlace Chicago
David Rojas Jr., The Alliance 98

This panel will be moderated by AMPT's very own Cameron Barnes.

Doors open at 5:15 PM. Registration is required for entry.

Register now at bit.ly/JuneAMPTConnect

Next month, come to AMPT's space for Affirming Our Humanity!We are thrilled to be hosting Dr. Rahul Sharma, and the Rhyt...
05/29/2026

Next month, come to AMPT's space for Affirming Our Humanity!

We are thrilled to be hosting Dr. Rahul Sharma, and the Rhythm Ambassadors of Funkadesi (Carlos Antonio Cornier, Kwame Steve Cobb, Rich Conti, and Maninderpal Singh) with Strategic Inclusion Consulting through this initiative.

This free immersive experience of forming a multicultural drum circle is tailored to social impact leaders, and designed to promote collective healing within and across communities.

This event will take place June 11th from 5:30-7:30 PM at 600 W Cermak Rd, Suite 2C.

Register now at https://forms.gle/aXjJk5TdoEqrtFDU8

ICYMI: Applications for our 2026 Build Your Board Cohort are now open!This 6-week cohort experience aims to support nonp...
05/29/2026

ICYMI: Applications for our 2026 Build Your Board Cohort are now open!

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 cohort, you'll have an action plan around your board development goals, based on your organization's needs.

Applications close June 14th at 11:59 PM CDT.

Apply now at bit.ly/BuildYourBoard2026

Before AMPT Connect next week, Connect with our Moderator, Senior Manager of Programs Cameron Barnes!Cameron Barnes is d...
05/28/2026

Before AMPT Connect next week, Connect with our Moderator, Senior Manager of Programs Cameron Barnes!

Cameron Barnes is driven by a commitment to racial equity, community-rooted leadership, and the belief that strengthening nonprofit capacity should be practical, affirming, and rooted in the realities their leaders navigate.

As Senior Manager of Programs at AMPT, Cameron leads the design and delivery of antiracist programming that strengthens organizational strategy, internal systems, and resource development so nonprofits can sustain their work with a spirit of self-determination.

Cameron brings deep experience at the intersection of philanthropy and nonprofit management, with a track record of supporting leaders of color to build funding clarity, strengthen institutional readiness, and navigate foundation and corporate relationships without compromising values.

His background includes philanthropic and corporate partnership work with organizations like Taproot Foundation and United Way of Metro Chicago, where he supported cross-sector collaboration and resource mobilization for community priorities.

Across roles, Cameron is known for accompanying big-picture vision with actionable plans, leading teams with complex challenges towards collective clarity, and relationship-centered strategies that move resources where they benefit those closest to the challenge at hand.

Outside of work, Cameron is happiest when he’s learning from the natural world, fully engaging in music, or chasing a meal that tastes like a small celebration.

See him and our incredible panelists next week at AMPT Connect!

Meet with the AMPT Community June 4th at 5:30 PM at 600 West Cermak for good food, networking, as well as a collaborative conversation with community leaders about how organizations are navigating challenges related to immigration enforcement and its impact on Chicago’s Latine communities.

Register now for a night of connection at bit.ly/JuneAMPTConnect

ICYMI: Join AMPT Senior Manager of Programs Cameron Barnes for his second AUYO workshop of the year: Amplify Your Grant ...
05/26/2026

ICYMI: Join AMPT Senior Manager of Programs Cameron Barnes for his second AUYO workshop of the year: Amplify Your Grant Management!

In this free interactive workshop, you’ll learn to:

- Strengthen understanding of how to transition from small, local, or family foundation grants to larger federal, state, and corporate funding opportunities

- Develop skills for managing restricted funds at scale, including compliance, reporting, and tracking requirements

- Explore strategies for building organizational capacity to manage multi-year and high-dollar grants effectively

This workshop will take place Tuesday, June 16th at 11 AM via Zoom

Register now to AMPT Up Your Org at bit.ly/AuyoGrantManagement

We're excited to announce one final panelist for next week's AMPT Connect, David Rojas, Jr.!David Rojas, Jr. is a first-...
05/26/2026

We're excited to announce one final panelist for next week's AMPT Connect, David Rojas, Jr.!

David Rojas, Jr. is a first-generation social entrepreneur and thought partner advancing community sustainability, economic and social mobility, and youth voice across philanthropy, education, and workforce development.

He is the Founder of TA98 ( The Alliance 98) , a Chicago-based social enterprise that has connected more than 600 young adults to meaningful career opportunities since 2018, and Co-Founder of Grounded Studio, a creative business incubator that provides emerging creatives with back-office infrastructure and global distribution.

His career also includes leadership roles at Noble Schools, where he managed university, employer, and community partnerships across the Midwest, connecting students to careers and mentorship programs and coaching Noble alumni through their post-secondary journeys, and at the Marriott International Foundation's Bridges from School to Work program, where he supported young adults with disabilities in securing meaningful employment.

In 2025, the Chicago Bulls honored him as an MLK Legacy Honoree for his work advancing equity and opportunity, and he was recently named a Global Social Impact Fellow by the University of Pennsylvania's Center for Social Impact Strategy.

He lives by the motto: Think Global, Act Local.

See and hear from David next week at AMPT Connect!

Register now for a night of food, connection, networking and an interactive panel at bit.ly/JuneAMPTConnect

Connect with our upcoming AMPT Connect panelist, Marcela Rodriguez!Marcela Rodriguez is currently Executive Director at ...
05/21/2026

Connect with our upcoming AMPT Connect panelist, Marcela Rodriguez!

Marcela Rodriguez is currently Executive Director at Enlace Chicago. She joined Enlace in December 2019 as Director of Finance and HR. With over 24 years of experience in finance, operations, HR, and program management, Marcy has consistently driven organizational impact and acted as a trusted steward of resources for organizations serving communities of color.

She has held leadership roles in education, health, social justice, economic development, youth services, and community organizing, leaving a lasting legacy in predominantly Latine neighborhoods on Chicago's southwest side, including through her work at The Resurrection Project and Brighton Park Neighborhood Council.

Marcy is also co-chair of the Illinois Latino Agenda, which advocates for equitable representation of Latinos in government, business, philanthropic and social impact sectors, as well as equitable investment in Latino communities. It empowers the Illinois Latino community by serving as a unified, influential voice for collective advocacy.

As Executive Director at Enlace, she fosters collaboration and growth through her participative leadership style. Widely respected for her crisis management, strategic planning, and capacity-building skills, Marcy is dedicated to driving meaningful change for future generations

You can see and hear from Marcy June 4th at our next AMPT Connect!

Register now for a night of food, connection, networking and an interactive panel at bit.ly/JuneAMPTConnect

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600 West Cermak Road
Chicago, IL
60616

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