Small Nonprofit: Fundraising Tips, Leadership Strategies, and Community-Centric Solutions

Further Together: Fundraising Strategies for Nonprofit Organizations

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Oct 21, 2025 • 26min

Grant Writing Strategies That Work

Send us a textGrants look easy from the outside: download a form, fill it in, wait for the cheque. In reality? Cold applications rarely convert, and the magic happens off the application portal. On this week’s episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, Maria Rio and co-host Caitlin McBride unpack why grants are not the quick win many organizations expect and how a single 15-minute call can completely change your pitch, and your odds. We break down what funders won’t put on their website, why most “perfect fit” applications still miss, and how to flip your process from “apply first” to “build trust first.” If you’ve been told to “just send more grants,” but aren’t seeing the results you want, this one’s for you. Grant Writing for Nonprofits - The Highlights: Cold grants rarely win funds Caitlin shared a study by grant consultant Valerie Grant that analyzed 270 grants over 19 months. When organizations submitted cold applications with no prior connection, the approval rate was 7 percent. That means 93 percent were denied. High volume without strategy burns time. Relationships exponentially increase your odds When there was prior contact or a relationship, the approval rate rose to 17 percent - a 140 percent increase. Funders often clarify fit, timing, and budget in conversation. Sometimes the formal application follows an informal yes. Expect a 12-to-18-month runway Grants are a long game. Many wins come after a first rejection, a feedback loop, and a re-application in the next cycle. Most funders have fixed windows, internal review processes, and shifting priorities that you cannot rush. Plan your efforts and your expectations accordingly. Do not build your budget on speculative grants Caitlin is conservative: she only budgets grants that are multi-year or renewed reliably with active stewardship. If you base a program plan on a hoped-for grant and it does not land, the fallout can be severe. Capacity and clarity come before hiring a grant writer A grant writer cannot save a weak system. You need a clear project or program, measurable outcomes, data collection, stories, and a stewardship plan. Your website must make you findable and credible; you should post annual reports, impact stats, audited financials, and real stories. Funders do their homework. 🎧 Listen to more episodes for actionable fundraising tips and insights on nonprofit leadership, nonprofit governance, productivity & tools, and donor engagement strategies that work. We're here to eliminate nonprofit burnout and boost your donations! Grant Writing for Nonprofits – 3 Actionable Tips:  Call before you apply Use staff and board networks or mutual LinkedIn connections to secure a warm intro. Go in to validate: Are we a fit right now? What range makes sense? Which program aligns best? You will learn things not listed online and avoid misaligned applications. Measure the right inputs Track leading metrics, not just submissions; track the number of funder calls, touch points, impact stats gathered, stories captured, and stewardship initiatives delivered on time. These behaviors drive results. Counting applications alone rewards activity, not strategy. Pair grants with unrestricted revenue Grants are often project-restricted and many funders favor new projects. Build unrestricted revenue through individual giving or earned income so you can fund raises, rent, and tech. Trust-based funders are growing, but you still need a balanced revenue mix. Support the show
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Oct 14, 2025 • 20min

4-Day Week: Real Results of Implementing

Send us a textA four-day work week is not a gimmick. Done right, it can reduce burnout, stabilize output, and help you keep great people. Our guest today shares that after two years of doing a 4-day work week model, they saw a 46% increase in staff morale and wellbeing. This is only one of the many amazing benefits Imagine Canada has seen! In this episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, Maria Rio sits down with Jodene Baker, Vice President of Research, Advocacy and External Relations at Imagine Canada. Jodene oversees national research and policy efforts supporting Canada’s nonprofit sector. Imagine Canada also builds tools like Grant Connect and advocates federally to strengthen the sector. Maria and Jodene discuss the challenges of starting, decent work practices, and how to measure the unmeasurable. 4-Day Work Week for Nonprofits - The Highlights: Why try a four-day week in the first place The sector is stretched: lower average pay, rising demand, and chronic burnout. Imagine Canada saw the same internal pressures and chose to test a four-day week to improve staff wellbeing and retention while holding impact. Their model is 100 percent pay, 80 percent time, 100 percent outcomes Imagine Canada works Monday to Thursday and closes Fridays. There is no pay cut and no compressed schedule. This pilot began in January 2023 and is now extended through 2026. It remains a pilot so they can keep measuring and adjust if needed. Preparation made the shift workable They joined the Four Day Week Global pilot, created a cross-functional staff group, set clear goals, and defined success metrics. They also cleaned up calendars: Audited and shortened meetings Made Monday afternoons meeting-free internally Blocked Fridays well in advance to build the habit Measured results: wellbeing up, sick days down, impact stable They track roughly 50 metrics across wellbeing, productivity, and outputs.  Recruitment and retention improved Candidates now cite the four-day week as a reason to apply. Staff attrition has dropped exponentially.  🎧 Listen to more episodes for actionable fundraising tips and insights on nonprofit leadership, nonprofit governance, productivity & tools, and donor engagement strategies that work. We're here to eliminate nonprofit burnout and boost your donations! ✨ Key Quote “The four day work week is a tactic - to help tackle wellbeing and equity challenges without needing to increase wages.” – Jodene Baker 4-Day Work Week for Nonprofits: 3 Actionable Tips:  Do a calendar cleanse before you change schedules Remove or shorten recurring meetings. Pilot a no internal meetings block on Friday and a second block on Monday afternoon. This builds focus time, reduces context switching, and makes a four day schedule realistic. Decide your goals and metrics first Be clear about what you want to improve and what must be protected. Examples: morale, sick days, turnover, core outputs, donor response times. Build a simple dashboard, survey staff, and review quarterly. Adapt the model to your operating reality Frontline or high-access orgs can stagger schedules: Team A works Mon-Thu and Team B works Tue-Fri. You can also test summer Fridays, rotating days, or a 9-day fortnight. Pair any schedule with decent work practices like personal days, clear sick leave, and paid PD. The goal is capacity and wellbeing, not a rigid recipe. Support the show
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Oct 7, 2025 • 28min

How EDs Lead Through a Governance Crisis in Nonprofit

Send us a textWhen a nonprofit faces a full board turnover, staff departures, and community outrage all at once, most Executive Directors want to run away. Nina Horvath stayed. In this episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, I sit down with Nina Horvath, Executive Director of the Coastal Jazz and Blues Society, producers of the Vancouver International Jazz Festival. Years ago, Nina joined Coastal as their ED just two weeks before a contentious AGM that resulted in a complete board shake-up. What followed was months of turmoil, community mistrust, and staff uncertainty. Through transparency, communication, and stubborn resilience, Nina helped guide the organization back to stability. Her leadership built psychological safety, trust with the community, and provided much-needed calm through the storm. Governance Crisis in Nonprofits - The Highlights: Transparency is your anchor in chaos Closed doors fuel suspicion. Nina used weekly all-staff meetings and open communication so people knew what was happening and why. Community needs a seat at the table Quarterly town halls gave members and musicians space to ask questions, share feedback, and hold leadership accountable. A transition board can stabilize governance A small, mixed transition board of former members and community reps helped build the path forward in a collaborative way. Funders will stick with you if you are honest One-on-one check-ins with major funders, plus a clear plan forward, kept support intact. Leadership in crisis is about trust, not perfection Nina second-guessed herself early. Her advise to her past self would be to ground decisions in values and move at the speed of trust. 🎧 Listen to more episodes for actionable fundraising tips and insights on nonprofit leadership, nonprofit governance, productivity & tools, and donor engagement strategies that work. We're here to eliminate nonprofit burnout and boost your donations! Governance Crisis in Nonprofits: 3 Actionable Tips  Set steady communication rhythms: Hold weekly all-staff check-ins and regular board updates. Silence invites rumors. Create public accountability moments: Run quarterly community updates or town halls. Share progress and the messy middle. Visibility builds credibility. Ask for help sooner: Bring in mentors, peers, or advisors. Outside perspective keeps you from carrying it alone. Support the show
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Sep 30, 2025 • 22min

Nonprofit Staff Are Not OK: The Changemaker Wellbeing Index

Send us a textThe 2025 Changemaker Wellbeing Index Report shows that 30% of nonprofit workers are experiencing food insecurity. This new study confirms what so many in our sector already feel every day: burnout, financial strain, and constant pressure. In this episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, Maria Rio is joined by Caitlin McBride, CFRE, a fundraising executive with over a decade of experience. Together, they unpack Future of Good’s 2025 Change Maker Wellbeing Index and what it reveals about food security, mental health, and overall wellbeing across Canadian nonprofits. Burnout in Nonprofits - The Highlights: We’re not in alignment with our values The study found that about 30% of nonprofit staff are experiencing food insecurity. Many organizations try to fight poverty in the community while it is happening inside their own four walls. Wellbeing is alarmingly low In arts, culture, and recreation, nearly half of staff reported poor wellbeing. Government-linked organizations like schools and hospital foundations reported lower but still concerning rates. Leadership and frontline experiences are different About half of entry-level and frontline staff reported poor wellbeing, compared to about 30% in senior leadership. Power, pay, and job security shape stress in very different ways. Turnover creates sector-wide brain drain More than 70% of entry-level staff who quit nonprofit roles leave the sector entirely. That is loss of experience, momentum, and future leadership. The future of the sector is at risk without change If early-career staff burn out and leave, organizations lose continuity and capacity. Sustainable missions require sustainable workplaces. 🎧 Listen to more episodes for actionable fundraising tips and insights on nonprofit leadership, nonprofit governance, productivity & tools, and donor engagement strategies that work. We're here to eliminate nonprofit burnout and boost your donations! ✨ Key Quote “Doing good does not put food on the table. Just because someone wants to make a difference does not mean it should come at the expense of their health or financial security.” – Caitlin McBride Burnout in Nonprofits: 3 Actionable Tips  Compete on decent work If salary increases are limited, pull other levers: four-day work weeks, flexible schedules, real time off, meeting caps, and workload boundaries. However, if you can raise pay do it. Invest in systems for stability Track attrition, build simple budgets, create documented processes, and plan beyond year-end. Stable systems reduce chaos and protect staff wellbeing. Make wellbeing a core sustainability strategy Treat staff health and security as mission-critical. Align internal practices with external values so your team experiences the dignity your programs promise. Support the show
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Sep 23, 2025 • 24min

Major Gifts for Small Nonprofits

Send us a textSmall nonprofits deserve BIG support. However, many fundraisers stumble while trying one to one relationships with major donors without it feeling fake, forced, or transactional.  Fundraising is not sales; it is matchmaking. At the heart of every major gift is a shared why: the values and experiences that connect you, your mission, and your donors. In this episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, Maria Rio breaks down how small nonprofits can shift their mindset about major gifts, move past common fears, and start building authentic, lasting relationships with donors. Major Gifts for Small Nonprofits: The Highlights Fundraising Begins With Your Why Donors are not just buying into what your organization does - they are connecting with why you do it. Leading with your “why” helps you find alignment and build deeper trust. Limiting Beliefs Hold Fundraisers Back Common fears like "I don’t know how to ask," "I don’t know wealthy people," or "fundraising feels like begging" stop many from even trying. Naming and reframing these beliefs is the first step to moving past them. Fundraising Is Not Begging - It Is Partnership Begging means asking for something in exchange for nothing. Fundraising is offering donors a chance to live in alignment with their values and invest in the world they want to see. Lean into the psychology of fundraising. Rejection Is Not the End A no does not mean rejection of you or your cause - it simply means the timing or priority is not right for the donor. Every no gets you closer to a stronger yes. Communication Goes Beyond Words How you show up matters more than a perfect script. Your tone, presence, body language, and ability to listen all play a bigger role in building donor confidence and connection than memorized lines. 🎧 Listen to more episodes for actionable fundraising tips and insights on nonprofit leadership, nonprofit governance, productivity & tools, and donor engagement strategies that work. We're here to eliminate nonprofit burnout and boost your donations! ✨ Key Quote from Maria: "Fundraising is not about convincing someone to give - it is about connecting them to a mission they already care about." - Maria Rio Major Gifts for Small Nonprofits: 3 Actionable Tips Reframe Fundraising as Matchmaking Think of yourself as the bridge between a donor’s values and your cause. You are not selling - you are introducing two parties who already belong together. Use the FORM Framework to Build Rapport Ask about Family, Occupation, Recreation, and Material interests to find common ground. Share about yourself too so it feels like a genuine relationship, not an interview. Anchor Every Ask in a Clear Story Focus on one problem, one solution, one result, and one impact. This keeps the conversation simple and powerful while helping donors clearly see the role they can play.Support the show
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Sep 16, 2025 • 23min

Audience Building for Nonprofits

Send us a textGrowing your organization is about smarter, easier touchpoints. It’s about how small nonprofits can show up where people already are, build real connection, and grow a brand that attracts donors, partners, and advocates.  In this episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, host Maria Rio is joined by Christa Stelzmuller, Chief Technology Officer at Charity: Water. Christa brings a wealth of experience leading technology, product, and data innovation at one of the world’s most recognized nonprofits. Together, they dig into how nonprofits can use technology and partnerships to deepen empathy, engage new audiences, and grow sustainable revenue. Audience Building for Nonprofits: The Highlights Nonprofits don’t need to compete for scraps: The real opportunity is to expand generosity overall. Whether through brand partnerships, tech, or social enterprise models, the sector wins when the giving pie gets bigger. Trust is a built-in nonprofit advantage: Strict reporting and transparency requirements give nonprofits credibility that influencers or corporations cannot always guarantee. Technology can drive revenue, not just costs: At Charity: Water, tech is seen as a way to build donor products, deepen engagement, and grow giving - not just an overhead line item. Partnerships are powerful growth tools: From influencers to retail experiences, nonprofits can use creative partnerships to show up in everyday spaces where people already spend their time and money. Long-term sustainability matters: Unlike corporate campaigns, nonprofits are designed to deliver solutions that last. We’re experts at building trust with communities and donors who want to see their dollars have real staying power. 🎧 Listen to more episodes for actionable fundraising tips and insights on nonprofit leadership, nonprofit governance, productivity & tools, and donor engagement strategies that work. We're here to eliminate nonprofit burnout and boost your donations! Audience Building for Nonprofits: ️ 3 Actionable Tips Know your audience Get clear on who you are trying to reach and where they spend their time. Local nonprofits may focus on community events, while larger ones might lean on digital strategies. Experiment with partnerships You don’t need a global brand to start. Partner with a coffee shop, an influencer, or a local business to amplify your message and create new touchpoints. Lead with transparency Share stories, impact data, and even challenges openly. Donors want to see not just where their money went, but how it created change. Resources and LinksConnect with our host, Maria Rio Connect with our guest, Christa Stelzmuller Check out Charity: Water website! Watch this episode on YouTube Support our show. We are fully self-funded! Need help with your fundraising? Liked this episode? Have an idea? Send us a text HERE :) Support the show
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Sep 9, 2025 • 19min

AI in Nonprofits: Re-engaging Your Community

Send us a textStorytelling is the heartbeat of nonprofit fundraising - and now, AI is giving organizations new ways to capture and share those stories while still keeping a human touch at the center. In this episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, Maria Rio sits down with Gustavo Zylberberg, Co-founder and CEO of Vitalcy, an AI-powered alumni engagement platform helping nonprofits reconnect with their communities, strengthen relationships, and unlock new donor support. AI Storytelling in Nonprofits - The Highlights: Bandwidth is the biggest barrier Most nonprofits are not resisting AI - they are just stretched too thin to explore it. Lack of time and staff capacity is the real challenge. AI strengthens community ties When used well, AI can capture and amplify personal stories that reconnect alumni or past participants with a mission, turning memories into renewed engagement and donor support. Fear is normal, but not permanent Nonprofits may hesitate because AI feels overwhelming or too big. Starting small and experimenting is the best way to push past fear and discover practical value. Ethical storytelling still matters most AI can make processes faster, but human review and dignity safeguards are critical. Technology should enhance authenticity, not replace it. AI is an enabler, not a replacement Just like the internet transformed nonprofit work, AI is becoming part of daily operations. But the human relationships at the heart of fundraising will always remain. 🎧 Listen to more episodes for actionable fundraising tips and insights on nonprofit leadership, nonprofit governance, productivity & tools, and donor engagement strategies that work. We're here to eliminate nonprofit burnout and boost your donations! ✨ Key Quote “Fundraising is human work at its core. AI should never erase that – it should help nonprofits do it more authentically, more efficiently, and at greater scale.” – Gustavo ZylberbergActionable Tips for Nonprofit Leaders to Harness AI Effectively: Start small with curiosity Go into tools like ChatGPT and ask simple questions about how they might make your job easier. You don’t need to overhaul everything, just dip your toes. Train AI on your organization’s own messaging Whether it is appeals, alumni stories, or newsletters, the more you feed AI about your nonprofit, the more useful and accurate it becomes. Pair efficiency with authenticity Use AI for first drafts or systems support, but keep a human voice and review in your storytelling. The goal is not speed for its own sake, but deeper connection with your community. Support the show
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Sep 2, 2025 • 29min

Donor Stewardship: Community-Centric Segmentation and Practices

Send us a textYour top donors don’t just write big cheques; they could be folding newsletters in your conference room every Tuesday or serving on your board for the third consecutive year.In this episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, we're exploring on what it means to steward supporters through a Community-Centric Fundraising lens. We're sharing ways we’ve shown gratitude to people who show up for your mission with time, talent, advocacy, and yes, dollars too. We challenge the traditional approach of stewarding people based solely on gift amounts and explore who really deserves your high-touch attention (spoiler: it's not just your $1,000+ donors).1. Volunteers Are Major Donors in DisguiseYour regular volunteers are often contributing the equivalent of $15,000-$60,000 in staff time, yet most organizations don't steward them like major donors. That volunteer who designed your website for free? That's a $15,000 gift that deserves the same recognition as a financial contribution of that size.2. Monthly Donors Deserve VIP TreatmentEven a $5 monthly donor should be in your major giving category. These supporters show incredible commitment and loyalty, and research shows they're likely to increase their giving over time. Plus, they're your best candidates for additional campaign gifts and planned giving opportunities.3. Your Staff Are Subsidizing Your MissionEvery nonprofit staff member is essentially making a $20,000-$30,000 gift by accepting below-market wages. During the current hiring and retention crisis, treating staff with the same stewardship approach you'd use for major donors isn't just nice. It's smart business.4. Longevity Matters More Than Single-Year GivingA donor who's given $100 for five consecutive years is more valuable than someone who gave $500 once. Length of relationship and consistency of support are stronger indicators of future giving potential than one-time gift amounts.5. Meaningful Stewardship Is About Connection, Not CostThe most impactful stewardship often costs very little. A quick, personal email sharing a story you just heard can be more meaningful than an expensive branded gift. Authenticity trumps fancy materials every time.Resources and Linkso   Connect with our host, Maria Rioo   Connect with our cohost, Caitlin McBrideo   Support our show. We are fully self-funded!o   Watch this episode on YouTubeo   Need help with your fundraising?o   Liked this episode? Have an idea? Send us a text HERE :)Support the show
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Aug 26, 2025 • 27min

Why DEI Fails in Nonprofits (and How to Do It Right)

Jonathan Meagher-Zayas, a global educator and equity strategist, teams up to tackle the hurdles nonprofits face in achieving true DEI. They dive into why fear and performative allyship hinder progress. Jonathan describes traditional nonprofit boards as a 'dysfunctional hot mess' and emphasizes the need for community-centered approaches. He outlines a four-stage process for meaningful equity work: Assessment, Acknowledgement, Learning, and Action, offering practical insights on integrating equity across fundraising and governance.
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Aug 19, 2025 • 20min

Social Enterprise: Earned Revenue for Nonprofits

Send us a textSocial enterprises aren't only about earning or diversifying revenue; they’re key to finding creative, sustainable ways to advance your mission while serving your community with dignity. In this episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, host Maria Rio chats with Tom Armitage, who has been leading The SEED, a project of the Guelph Community Health Centre, for almost 10 years. The SEED is dedicated to ensuring that everyone in the community has access to good food, and along the way they have built innovative programming, including a social enterprise, that rethink how nonprofits can deliver impact. Meet the GuestTom Armitage is the driving force behind The Seed. With a background in agriculture and local food systems, not business, he is proof that passion and persistence matter more than waiting to get an MBA. Over nearly a decade, Tom has helped grow The SEED from a central food distribution idea into a multi-program social enterprise reaching thousands of people. 5 Key Takeaways Start with Real Community Needs The SEED was born out of a lack of infrastructure in Guelph. Agencies were struggling with storage and distribution, while people facing poverty were subjected to invasive, stigmatizing processes. Centralizing food storage and access improved both dignity and efficiency. Social Enterprise is Part of the Solution, Not the Whole Answer From the beginning, The SEED designed a wholesale program that took a small margin on food sales, stretching limited grant further. But Tom is clear - no single program fully funds itself. Social enterprises can reduce reliance on grants, but it does not automatically eliminate the need for funders and donors. Pilot First, Scale Later The SEED did not dive into big projects overnight. They started small - like testing sliding-scale markets - then expanded when the model worked. This iterative approach minimized risk and made scaling more sustainable. Speak the Language of Business By talking about margins, efficiencies, and outcomes, Tom found that funders and business leaders connect more easily with The SEED‘s mission. It builds credibility and opens new doors for partnerships. Don’t Lose Sight of the Big Picture Even with impressive growth moving millions of dollars’ worth of food annually, Tom always brings conversations back to the root causes of food insecurity: poverty and income inequality. Programs help, but systemic change is what really solves the problem. 🎧 Listen to more episodes for actionable fundraising tips and insights on nonprofit leadership, nonprofit governance, productivity & tools, and donor engagement strategies that work. We're here to eliminate nonprofit burnout and boost your donations!  3 Actionable Tips for Small Nonprofits & Fundraisers Ask Tough Questions Before Launching a Social Enterprise Look at your fundraising strategy first and think carefully about your participants. Will charging for a service create barriers? If they aren’t your customers, who is? How will you reach them? Social enterprise should enhance your mission, not compete with it. Start Small, Learn, and Grow Instead of going all-in, test your idea at a small scale. Use real-world results to refine the model and build a stronger case for funders when you are ready to expand. Frame Impact in Business Terms When speaking to donors, funders, or local businesses, use language they understand - like ROI, efficiency, and value creationSupport the show

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