Small Nonprofit: Fundraising Tips, Leadership Strategies, and Community-Centric Solutions
Further Together: Fundraising Strategies for Nonprofit Organizations
Welcome to Small Nonprofit, the podcast designed for leaders, fundraisers, and advocates in the nonprofit sector who want to create real change. We provide small nonprofit organizations with strategies to enhance their fundraising campaigns, improve nonprofit governance, and implement ethical fundraising practices that resonate with today’s values-driven donors. Hosted by an experienced nonprofit consultant, Maria Rio, this show delves into the unique challenges of nonprofit fundraising and community-centric fundraising, providing tools for donor engagement and major gifts fundraising.👤 Who Should Listen?This podcast is perfect for anyone involved in a small nonprofit seeking practical advice on fundraising strategy, nonprofit leadership, and board accountability. Whether you're looking for innovative fundraising ideas for nonprofit organizations or trying to create an impact measurement framework that demonstrates your organization’s value, Small Nonprofit is here to guide you.🎤 Core Topics We CoverCommunity-Centric Fundraising: Learn how ethical fundraising practices can strengthen donor relationships, enhance donor engagement, and align your organization with values-based major giving principles. We’ll help you shift from a donor-centric model to one that prioritizes the community.Systemic Change and Governance: From participatory budgeting to nonprofit board of directors best practices, we explore how to navigate the nonprofit industrial complex and embrace structures that foster diversity in nonprofit leadership and board accountability.Preventing Nonprofit Burnout: Tackle topics such as nonprofit burnout prevention and learn how to cultivate a healthy, anti-oppressive work culture that supports your team’s well-being.Nonprofit Storytelling: Understand how to measure your nonprofit’s effectiveness through nonprofit impact measurement strategies and leverage nonprofit storytelling to create compelling narratives that attract donors.📣 Engaging Conversations and Real-World AdviceIn each episode, we bring you insights from experts in fundraising consulting, nonprofit grant writing, and capital campaign strategies. From interviews with fractional fundraisers and major gift officers to deep dives on fundraising tips and innovative fundraising ideas, we offer actionable advice that you can implement immediately to strengthen your organization’s impact.💰 Learn How to Build a Sustainable NonprofitEvery nonprofit leader faces the challenge of achieving financial sustainability. Our episodes address critical fundraising strategies for nonprofit organizations, providing insights on volunteer management, capacity building, and nonprofit marketing strategy. Gain access to tools that help you execute successful fundraising campaigns and build a foundation for long-term growth.🤝 Join the Movement for Systemic ChangeAt The Small Nonprofit, we’re committed to transforming the nonprofit sector from the ground up. Our focus on systemic change and community-centric fundraising aligns with our mission to support nonprofits in creating equitable, sustainable communities. By addressing topics like values-based decision making and nonprofit transparency, we’re working to build a more ethical, inclusive sector.❤️ Stay ConnectedSubscribe to Small Nonprofit on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your preferred podcast platform. Don’t miss an episode as we explore everything from fundraising tips to nonprofit social media strategy, and learn how you can become a stronger advocate for your organization’s mission.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 9, 2020 • 46min
unlocking the power of design to raise more money with John Lepp
Send us a textWhat causes you to open that envelope from a charity? What is going through your mind as you decide to read on? Or make a donation? Wouldn’t it be great if you could unlock some of the secrets that influence your donors' behaviours as they think about giving to your organization?Today’s podcast guest is John Lepp and he is going to be sharing how you can use design to influence your fundraising outcomes - ie: raise more money! But good design isn’t what we like, it’s what works. So through away your personal preferences and grab a pen and paper to discover what design can do to help you raise more money.For access to the show notes and resources, click here.Support the show Connect with the show: Watch the episode on YouTube; follow Maria Rio on LinkedIn for more conversations and resources. Or support our show. We are fully self-funded! Book a Discovery Call with Further Together: Need help with your fundraising? See if our values-aligned fundraisers are a fit for your organization.
Mar 2, 2020 • 39min
your case for support from the ground up with Leah Eustace
Send us a textI know you have a long list of “to-dos” that never seems to end. I can also guess that on that list, somewhere towards the end (and seemingly never moving) is to create a Case for Support for your organization. Well, today you’re in luck because our podcast guest Leah Eustice is a pro when it comes to writing a Case for Support and she’s going to give you all of her tricks and tips. The best part about it - she shows you how you can write your Case quickly and still make it meaningful.For access to the show notes and resources, click here.Support the show Connect with the show: Watch the episode on YouTube; follow Maria Rio on LinkedIn for more conversations and resources. Or support our show. We are fully self-funded! Book a Discovery Call with Further Together: Need help with your fundraising? See if our values-aligned fundraisers are a fit for your organization.
Feb 24, 2020 • 29min
young and diverse - the new workforce with Tamara Balan and Bareera Sial
Send us a textGuess what - the next generation of workers are not millennials! We’re so past the conversation of millennials in the workplace and now is the time to think about how you’re hiring and engaging the next generation. This new generation values diversity and inclusion, as well as the ability to have an impact. This is in great alignment with the nonprofit sector, but the reality is that as many as 30% of employers struggle to fill their entry-level roles.Want to build your pipeline of talent in a meaningful and lasting way? Listen to today’s podcast with CivicAction and their HireNext program. For access to the show notes and resources, click here.Support the show Connect with the show: Watch the episode on YouTube; follow Maria Rio on LinkedIn for more conversations and resources. Or support our show. We are fully self-funded! Book a Discovery Call with Further Together: Need help with your fundraising? See if our values-aligned fundraisers are a fit for your organization.
Feb 17, 2020 • 37min
The introvert’s survival guide with Trina Isakson
Send us a textAre you introverted or extroverted? I’m right in the middle with a sway towards extroversion. It can sometimes look like the modern work environment is created for us extroverts and if you're introverted, it can feel draining or even exclusionary. Today’s podcast guest, Trina Isakson, spent years working in our sector as an introvert and created the Quiet Changemaker Project - a place for introverted nonprofit professionals to connect. Our conversation is all about thriving as an introvert (and supporting introverts on your team).For access to the show notes and resources, click here.Support the show Connect with the show: Watch the episode on YouTube; follow Maria Rio on LinkedIn for more conversations and resources. Or support our show. We are fully self-funded! Book a Discovery Call with Further Together: Need help with your fundraising? See if our values-aligned fundraisers are a fit for your organization.
Feb 10, 2020 • 28min
supporting parents in the workplace with Lacey Kempinski
Send us a textI’ve had to hire my fair share of staff over the years and I’m embarrassed to say how many times I’ve heard someone comment, “we can’t hire her, she’s going to have babies soon.”This was said to me pre-kids (as I was thinking of starting my own family), and since I’ve had kids (my two sons are now 5 and 8). It’s been said by men and women. Young and old. Parents and non-parents.When today’s podcast guest, Lacey Kempinski, had her own children and started to explore the need for balance in her life, she quickly found that most workplaces, certainly everywhere but specifically in our sector, are really not that parent-friendly.What do women and other parents experience in the workplace and how do we change that to ensure that we have happy and healthy employees (and therefore productive and effective staff)? Take a listen!For access to the show notes and resources, click here.Support the show Connect with the show: Watch the episode on YouTube; follow Maria Rio on LinkedIn for more conversations and resources. Or support our show. We are fully self-funded! Book a Discovery Call with Further Together: Need help with your fundraising? See if our values-aligned fundraisers are a fit for your organization.
Feb 3, 2020 • 40min
how to work with students with Peter Moscone and Catherine Brassard
Send us a textIs it really worth having interns and students? Sometimes it can feel hit or miss making it feel like you're adding to your workload instead of having a great mentorship experience.In this episode, we're speaking with Peter and Catherine from Seneca360, a program that matches yourself with a skilled student who can support very specific project-based work. With both the perspectives of a mentor and a student, tune in to learn their insights on how to approach a mentorship program with success and how Seneca360 can sponsor a motivated student to complete quality work for you (without costing you a dime!)For access to the show notes and resources, click here.Support the show Connect with the show: Watch the episode on YouTube; follow Maria Rio on LinkedIn for more conversations and resources. Or support our show. We are fully self-funded! Book a Discovery Call with Further Together: Need help with your fundraising? See if our values-aligned fundraisers are a fit for your organization.
Jan 27, 2020 • 33min
aligning your board with Patricia Bradshaw
Send us a textDid you know that I’m psychic? I can tell whether or not you have challenges with your board of directors. Let me look into my magic ball. The answer is “yes” - your board is not functioning as well as it could or should be.While you may be in awe of my incredible powers, the reality is that we know most small organizations have some struggles with their boards. Or their boards have struggled with their organizations. Or both simultaneously.Today’s podcast features Dr. Patricia Bradshaw, who studies nonprofit boards and shares with you some tools to identify the type of board you have (there are many types) and how you can optimize effectiveness with that type of board.For access to the show notes and resources, click here.Support the show Connect with the show: Watch the episode on YouTube; follow Maria Rio on LinkedIn for more conversations and resources. Or support our show. We are fully self-funded! Book a Discovery Call with Further Together: Need help with your fundraising? See if our values-aligned fundraisers are a fit for your organization.
Jan 23, 2020 • 42min
Live from Happy You Year - Shiny Object Syndrome with Simon Scriver
Send us a textFacebook, Instagram, Snapchat and now TikTok - do you often feel pressure to get your organization on the latest trend? Whether that's from your board or the organization itself, it seems like everyone wants you to be on every single platform there is.Tune in to our live conversation from Happy You Year as we chat with Simon Scriver, host of Simon Scriver's Amazingly Ultimate Fundraising Superstar Podcast, about Shiny Object Syndrome. Learn about how to confidently (and successfully) say no, how to evaluate whether a trend is right of you and much more!Support the show Connect with the show: Watch the episode on YouTube; follow Maria Rio on LinkedIn for more conversations and resources. Or support our show. We are fully self-funded! Book a Discovery Call with Further Together: Need help with your fundraising? See if our values-aligned fundraisers are a fit for your organization.
Jan 20, 2020 • 36min
networking that feels good with Paul Nazareth
Send us a textSo today's guest really needs no introduction - we think everyone knows Paul Nazareth. He's been on the podcast before and he is, we believe, one of the most influential people in our sector in Canada. We've talked with him before about planned giving, but today we're going to talk to him about something that I actually think is even more uncomfortable for most people than even planned giving - networking! If you're cringing or feel a little nauseous, you're not alone!Tune in to learn how to network without feeling icky, increase your social capital and create more meaningful connections without worrying about business cards!For access to the show notes and resources, click here.Support the show Connect with the show: Watch the episode on YouTube; follow Maria Rio on LinkedIn for more conversations and resources. Or support our show. We are fully self-funded! Book a Discovery Call with Further Together: Need help with your fundraising? See if our values-aligned fundraisers are a fit for your organization.
Jan 13, 2020 • 37min
Values-centered planning with Beth Jordan
Send us a textHappy New Year and Happy New Decade! We're kicking off season four of The Small Nonprofit with Beth Jordan, founder and principal of Adobe Consulting Services. This week we're talking about alignment - how we look forward and internally within our organizations to focus on being aligned with our core values as an organization. We've had lots of conversations around strategy and planning on the podcast before but I feel like this is a really fresh take as a values centred company working with a lot of values centred charities and nonprofits. This approach really sits well with how we think about our work and I know a lot of our clients think about their work.Tune in to learn all about how we make sure that all the things we're doing in our organization reflect our values, how to measure and audit this, and how you can use this to improve your staff, donor and client engagement.For access to the show notes and resources, click here.Support the show Connect with the show: Watch the episode on YouTube; follow Maria Rio on LinkedIn for more conversations and resources. Or support our show. We are fully self-funded! Book a Discovery Call with Further Together: Need help with your fundraising? See if our values-aligned fundraisers are a fit for your organization.
