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

In this episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, Maria is joined by Caitlin McBride to discuss how nonprofit fundraisers can transition smoothly into the new year after the year-end fundraising rush. They share strategies for celebrating success, reflecting on what worked, and setting yourself up for long-term sustainability—without burning out. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the reset of a new fiscal year, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you start 2025 with confidence. Key Topics Covered: Celebrating year-end wins Avoiding the post-year-end slump Practical ways to reflect and improve for next year How to fill your own cup as a fundraiser Creative ways to show gratitude to donors Actionable Tips: ➜ Take time to celebrate your achievements—big and small. ➜ Document key insights from your year-end campaign to reference later. ➜ Start the year with activities that energize and inspire you. ➜ Show gratitude to your donors and supporters in thoughtful ways. ➜ Give yourself grace—fundraising is a long game, and every step matters. Connect with Us: Connect with Maria Rio Connect with Caitlin McBride Further Together Website Subscribe and Review: Don’t forget to subscribe to The Small Nonprofit Podcast on your favorite platform! Leave a review to help us reach more listeners and continue providing valuable insights. Watch this episode on YouTube. Support the Podcast: Support these conversations by donating here. Coming Next Week: Join us next week as Caitlin and Maria share fundraising trends in 2025. Tune in for practical tips to start the new year strong and set yourself up for success! 🚀 Liked this episode? Have an idea? Send us a text HERE :)Support the show

Discover the Five Pillars of Great Fundraising and how they can transform your nonprofit's approach. Learn effective strategies for prospecting, digital fundraising, and impactful one-to-many campaigns. Find out how to craft a compelling unique value proposition and build trust with donors. The importance of tracking key metrics is emphasized for data-driven decision-making. Engage your community for feedback, celebrate small victories, and continuously refine your strategy for lasting growth.

Caitlin McBride, an experienced fundraiser and consultant, helps one-person fundraising teams at small nonprofits thrive. She shares her journey from large teams to solo fundraising, discussing the freedom and solitude of this role. Caitlin emphasizes the importance of systems and technology to avoid burnout and maximize efficiency. She offers practical tips like building a support network, leveraging low-cost tech tools, and creating clear communication materials. Self-care and knowing when to ask for help are crucial for sustainable success.

Is your nonprofit fundraising strategy working? In this episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, Maria speaks with Kel Haney, a fundraising coach and consultant, about transforming donor engagement through personalized and strategic phone calls. Kel introduces her "ditch the script" approach and her "five-minute fundraising ask" framework, which emphasizes authenticity, connection, and clear asks. Whether you’re a seasoned fundraiser or new to phone outreach, Kel’s insights will help you foster deeper relationships and make your calls more effective. Nonprofit Fundraising Strategy: Taking the 'Ick' Out of Fundraising Calls -- The Highlights:Why scripts don’t work The power of vulnerability Five-minute fundraising ask framework Effective voicemail strategies Time management for fundraising calls Actionable Tips: ➜ Be prepared but flexible:Have talking points, but allow the conversation to flow naturally. ➜ Personalize your approach:Reference past interactions or specific donor interests to build rapport. ➜ Practice active listening:Make donors feel heard by acknowledging their concerns and interests. ➜ Follow up consistently:Whether via email or another call, keep the lines of communication open. ➜ Make specific asks:Avoid vague language; be clear about the amount or action you’re requesting. Resources Mentioned: Kel’s Website: kelhaney.com Free Resource: Eight Phrases Not to Use in Fundraising and Five Tips for Mid-Level Giving Connect with Us: Connect with Maria Rio Connect with Kel Haney Subscribe and Review: Don’t forget to subscribe to The Small Nonprofit Podcast on your favorite platform! Leave a review to help us reach more listeners and continue providing valuable insights. Watch this episode on YouTube. Support the Podcast: Support these conversations by donating here. Coming Next Week: Join us next week as Caitlin McBride shares how small nonprofits can streamline operations, set boundaries, and build a culture of philanthropy to drive lasting impact without burning out. Liked this episode? Have an idea? Send us a text HERE :)Support the show

Can nonprofits truly live their values? Learn how to align organizational values with action from the experienced leadership of Hoang Murphy, CEO of People Serving People. In this episode, we discuss building workplace cultures of transparency, centering lived experiences in decision-making, and embedding nonprofit values into budgeting and operations. Explore how intentional nonprofit leadership can create better workplaces and stronger mission outcomes.Aligning Nonprofit Leadership with Core Values - The Highlights:Why and how nonprofit budgets reflect values (and how to align them).Centering lived experiences in nonprofit leadership, staff, and boards.Practical steps for engaging teams and clients in defining values.The benefits of relational fundraising and building genuine connections with funders.Strategies for scaling transparency and culture at large nonprofits.🎧 Listen to more episodes for actionable tips on nonprofit leadership, ethical fundraising, and community engagement strategies!About Hoang Murphy:Hoang Murphy is the CEO of People Serving People. He brings a wealth of experience from his journey as a teacher, a Foster, and a leader in the nonprofit sector. Hoang shares his expertise on creating impactful solutions for those affected by inequality and emphasizes the role of lived experiences in decision-making processes.Links and Resources:  Hoang Murphy (LinkedIn): linkedin.com/in/hoangmurphy Hoang Murphy (Facebook): https://www.facebook.com/hrcapist/ Hoang Murphy (Email): hmurphy@peopleservingpeople.org  Connect with Maria on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/mariario/Watch this episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/aJ8-uNCxLvY Support the show: https://www.buzzsprout.com/208666/supporters/newLiked this episode? Have an idea? Send us a text HERE :)Support the show

Is the nonprofit-industrial complex STUCK? Discover the journey of implementing Community-Centric Fundraising (CCF) principles with your host Maria Rio and Marie-France, Director of Community Engagement and Major Gifts at TNG Community Services. In this episode, they discuss the complexities and rewards of aligning fundraising strategies with equity, justice, and collective mission values. Topics include practical applications of CCF, the importance of self-reflection, addressing limitations, and the ongoing work of dignified storytelling in the nonprofit sector.Community-Centric Fundraising - The Highlights:How to integrate CCF principles into your nonprofit’s strategy.Overcoming challenges like resource constraints and systemic barriers.The role of gift acceptance policies in ethical fundraising.Empowering communities through dignified storytelling and public policy advocacy.Engaging major donors in values-aligned philanthropy.🎧 Listen to more episodes for actionable insights on nonprofit leadership, ethical fundraising, and community engagement strategies!About Marie-France:Marie-France is passionate about advancing economic justice and equity through dignified storytelling, trust-based philanthropy, and diverse participation in civic engagement. She brings her commitment to advocacy and an anti-poverty, intersectional feminist lens to all of the work she does. She has worked for anti-poverty organizations for the past 8 years and is currently the Director of Community Engagement and Major Gifts at The Neighbourhood Group (TNG) Community Services. She oversees the organization's major gifts and foundations revenue, drive the departmental strategy, and amplify TNG's presence in the sector.Links and Resources:  Marie-France Roche (LinkedIn): linkedin.com/in/marie-france-roche Connect with Maria on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/mariario/Support the show: https://www.buzzsprout.com/208666/supporters/newWatch this episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/YsndeUvRwdI Liked this episode? Have an idea? Send us a text HERE :)Support the show

Are you slipping into slip into siloed efforts in the nonprofit sector? Join Lanrick Bennett, Executive Director of Charlie's FreeWheels, as he discusses building a culture of collaboration in nonprofits. Lanrick shares his journey from a career in government and advocacy to leading a youth-centered cycling nonprofit, weaving themes of equity, leadership, and community into his work. Discover how nonprofit leaders can dismantle silos, foster internal and external partnerships, and implement equitable practices to drive systemic change. From his "clean as you go" approach to leadership to building trust through shared meals and safe spaces, Lanrick provides actionable insights for nonprofit teams.Nonprofit Leadership & Collaboration in Nonprofits - The Highlights:The importance of collaboration to break nonprofit silos and promote equity.How internal cultures of collaboration can impact external partnerships.Key insights on building trust and leadership in nonprofit teams.Lessons from cycling programs that transform communities through empowerment.Building equity into nonprofit leadership and programming.🎧 Listen to more episodes for actionable fundraising tips and insights on nonprofit leadership, nonprofit governance, donor engagement, productivity & tools, and nonprofit storytelling strategies!About Lanrick Bennet:Lanrick is not only the executive director of Charlie’s Free Wheels, a nonprofit teaching young people leadership through bicycles, but also Toronto's first bicycle mayor, a comedian, and a champion of community engagement. Our conversation promises to be an insightful journey into what it means to be a hands-on leader who isn't afraid to get their hands dirty – quite literally!Links and Resources:  Connect with Lanrick Bennett on Twitter: https://twitter.com/LanrickBennettLearn more about Charlie’s FreeWheels: https://www.charliesfreewheels.ca/Email Lanrick: lanrickbennettjr@gmail.com | info@charliesfreewheels.caConnect with Maria on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/mariario/Support the show: https://www.buzzsprout.com/208666/supporters/newWatch this episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/P9LqhfPMV6c Liked this episode? Have an idea? Send us a text HERE :)Support the show

Is your nonprofit aligned with your values or is it perpetuating harm? In this thought-provoking episode of The Small Nonprofit, Maria Rio sits down with Sheetal Puri, digital fundraising leader at Wikimedia Foundation, to discuss the critical issues of value misalignment, nonprofit burnout, and workplace culture in the nonprofit sector. Together, they explore how nonprofit professionals can navigate organizational challenges, advocate for meaningful change, and build a healthier, values-aligned workplace culture.Sheetal brings her extensive fundraising experience, from grassroots volunteering to overseeing global digital campaigns, to offer actionable advice for fundraisers at all career stages. Whether you're navigating a workplace that doesn’t align with your values or looking to build a more equitable and inclusive nonprofit sector, this conversation offers insights and strategies to inspire change.Burnout in Nonprofit Fundraising - the highlights:Sheetal's journey from an alumni caller to digital fundraising at Wikimedia Foundation.How value misalignment can lead to burnout and strategies to mitigate it.The role of storytelling in fundraising and why we must challenge "savior" narratives.Practical ways to advocate for equity, inclusion, and better workplace cultures in nonprofits.Why fundraisers hold unique power to create systemic change in their organizations.How privilege can be leveraged to challenge the status quo and advocate for marginalized voices.The importance of transparency, collaboration, and trust in nonprofit management.How unionization and collective action could reshape the nonprofit sector.🎧 Listen to more episodes for actionable fundraising tips and insights on nonprofit leadership, nonprofit governance, donor engagement, productivity & tools, and nonprofit storytelling strategies!About Sheetal Puri:Sheetal Puri, our guest today, has dedicated her career  to non-profit fundraising, marketing and communications for organizations globally. Having raised hundreds of millions for multiple organizations over the past 15 years, Sheetal’s commitment to the sector has given her the insight to identify areas in present day fundraising models that perpetuate colonial modes of power and prevent the ability to practice and implement our core values and missions. She is a strong advocate for community-centric approaches to fundraising that prioritize the return of power and agency to those who have experienced disempowerment.Links and Resources:  Connect with Sheetal on LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/sheetalpersaudConnect with Maria on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/mariario/Support the show: https://www.buzzsprout.com/208666/supporters/newLiked this episode? Have an idea? Send us a text HERE :)Support the show

Matt Diamante, founder of the digital marketing agency Hey Tony, shares insightful tips for nonprofits on boosting their online presence. He discusses the critical role of SEO and effective digital funnels in converting potential supporters into loyal donors. Emphasizing authenticity, Matt highlights how relatable content can strengthen audience connections. He also provides strategies for maximizing email lists and leveraging social media. His advice includes starting small with funnels and consistently providing value to engage and retain followers.

Kimberley McKenzie, a seasoned charity executive turned leadership coach, shares her expertise on nonprofit wellness. She discusses the urgent human resource crisis in the sector and introduces the four C’s framework for creating high-performing teams. Kimberley emphasizes the importance of embedding wellness into organizational strategy and adopting trauma-informed practices. She offers actionable tips on investing in coaching and supporting team emotional well-being, while highlighting the role of gratitude and self-compassion in transforming workplace culture.