How this nonprofit leader turned a strategic plan into real sustainability

Every nonprofit wants to build something that lasts — but sustainability can feel like a moving target.

In this episode of the Unfiltered Nonprofit Podcast, Cherry Chan sits down with Melissa Shahin, Chief Strategy Officer at AFMC, to talk about what sustainability actually looks like when strategy meets execution.

Melissa shares how AFMC shifted from being heavily grant-funded to running a successful social enterprise — the AFMC Student Portal — that now fuels its mission while reducing government reliance to under 20%. She explains how the team links board priorities to measurable outcomes using scorecards and indicators, helping them make faster, data-driven decisions.

The conversation dives deep into what makes nonprofit sustainability strategies work:

• tracking what truly matters instead of chasing every initiative,

• being transparent about change and earning staff buy-in, and

• building flexibility into work culture to protect teams from burnout.

For any nonprofit leader wondering how to turn a solid plan into lasting impact — this episode is a masterclass in staying mission-driven and financially resilient.