At the American Nonprofit Academy, we believe nonprofits change the world — but mission alone isn’t enough. To thrive, nonprofit leaders need strong strategy, sustainable systems, effective communication, and empowered teams. That’s why we focus on the business side of nonprofit success.

Our Purpose

For more than a decade, we’ve empowered mission-driven organizations to build strong business foundations— so their impact not only endures, but grows. Through daily broadcasts, thousands of expert interviews, on-demand content, and leadership tools, we empower nonprofit teams, boards, and professionals with actionable, practical knowledge.

Founded pre-pandemic, the Academy has evolved with the shifting landscape of social impact. Early on, we focused on education and inspiration. Today, we go beyond inspiration, delivering business discipline— empowering nonprofits to operate as robust, strategic, financially-sound organizations.

“Too many nonprofits struggle with the business side of doing good. We’re here to change that.”

Our Core Values

• Impact + Accountability – Missions matter, and so does measurable progress

• Equity + Access – Leadership has no limits; learning shouldn’t either

• Practicality + Innovation – Real tools for real work. No fluff.

• Community + Collaboration – We rise when we build together

Our Five Focus Areas

Success in nonprofits depends on business fundamentals. So our work focuses on:

• Boards & Planning — Strengthen governance, strategic clarity, and mission alignment.
• Fundraising — Build predictable, sustainable donor relationships and revenue streams.
• Marketing & Communications — Amplify your story, raise awareness, and reach the right audiences.
• Management & Staffing — Empower leadership and team systems that honor people and improve performance.
• Technology — Leverage smart tools and data to operate with efficiency and security.

Who We Serve

We support nonprofit professionals across sectors and roles:

• Executive Directors & Founders
• Development & Fundraising Teams
• Board Members, Chairs & Governance Leaders
• HR, Ops & Program Directors
• Communications & Media Teams
• Consultants, Career-Transitioners & Changemakers

No matter your role — whether you’re the executive director navigating a financial shortfall, the development officer working against a deadline, the board chair balancing governance and passion, starting a new nonprofit, or the volunteer-turned-manager wearing every hat — the nonprofit world asks a lot of you. The challenges are complex, the stakes are high, and the mission always feels bigger than the resources behind it.

At the American Nonprofit Academy, we believe that the people behind every mission deserve more than inspiration — they deserve support, strategy, and systems that actually make the work easier. That’s why we show up every day with the tools, training, and insights to help you lead well, communicate well, raise well, and run well.

And we all do it with this reminder from our CEO, Julia C. Patrick:

“Stay well, so you can do well.”

It’s not just a slogan — it’s a guiding truth. You can’t pour into others from an empty cup. So whether you’re tuning into a live episode of The Nonprofit Show, exploring our resource library, or simply looking to strengthen your skills, remember: The work you do matters. And you matter.

Let’s build smarter, lead boldly, and make our missions sustainable — together.