For many AMPP chapters, generating revenue might not seem like a top priority—especially when volunteers are focused on event planning, technical presentations, or community building. But creating a stable stream of income isn’t about making a profit. It’s about building capacity: the ability to do more, reach more people, and create more value for your members and local industry professionals.
Revenue allows chapters to shift from just maintaining operations to actively growing and investing in their members. Here’s why it matters—and what it can help your chapter achieve.
With available funds, you can reserve more professional venues, bring in engaging speakers, or offer refreshments or giveaways at meetings—enhancing the member experience. This elevates the perceived value of your events and can increase attendance and engagement.
Example: Your chapter could use sponsorship revenue to cover AV equipment costs for a technical presentation, enabling you to record and post the session online. This gave members who couldn’t attend in person access to valuable content and can help attract new members who discover the chapter via LinkedIn.
Revenue can directly support the next generation of professionals. Chapters have the autonomy to create and fund local scholarship programs, sponsor student attendance at national conferences, or cover certification exam fees for early-career professionals.
Example: Your chapter can set aside $2,000 in course-hosting revenue to fund a scholarship for a local engineering student. That small investment could build goodwill, foster long-term engagement, and give the chapter a meaningful story to tell during future fundraising efforts.
Revenue gives you flexibility to launch chapter awards, member spotlights, or recognition programs. These efforts help members feel appreciated and strengthen your chapter community.
Example: You could use surplus funds from event sponsorships, to purchase custom plaques and send handwritten thank-you notes to key volunteers. This small gesture can help retain volunteers to feel valued and motivated to continue supporting the chapter.
With additional funds, chapters can invest in marketing—whether that means boosting social media posts, printing flyers, or creating branded materials to distribute at trade shows or industry events.
Example: You could use extra course revenue to design a new pop-up banner and promotional postcards to help market your next upcoming event. The materials give you a more polished presence and can lead to more attendance in the future.
Chapters across AMPP are seeing a growing demand for local offerings and professional development. At the same time, chapters are being encouraged to take ownership of their events, offer courses, and explore sponsorships as a way to fuel growth. With more autonomy comes more opportunity—but also more responsibility.
Having a modest operating budget—whether it’s $500 or $5,000—can make the difference between limiting your chapter’s impact and delivering programs that are strategic, consistent, and scalable.
The three most impactful ways chapters can begin generating revenue are:
Each of these strategies will be explored in detail in upcoming blog posts, to help your chapter take the first step.
You don’t need to be a business expert to understand the power of revenue—it’s simply a tool. And like any tool, it’s most effective when used with intention. Whether your goal is to engage more members, invest in students, or elevate the professionalism of your events, building a modest, reliable revenue stream gives you the means to get there.
Get ready to explore how. The next blog in this series, coming August 12th, 2025, will cover more about sponsorship packages that work for your chapter and your local industry partners.
Have question or need help getting started? Reach out to chapters@ampp.org. We are here to help!
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