

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

Dec 9, 2019 • 35min
Creating culture with Maryann Kerr
Send us a textWhen we think about our organizational culture, we refer to a nice culture deck then we're good to go. However, we know that what's on that deck isn't always reflective of how things are practiced or how things get done - a huge problem in our sector!In this episode, we chat with Maryann Kerr, Chief Happiness Officer/CEO of The Medalist Group, who is on a mission to call organizations out on this disconnect and to give them some tools to help them move towards more cohesion and be the kind of a workplace they say they want to be. Tune in to learn how to create a healthier culture, attract and keep the right employees for the job and meet your goals more efficiently!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.

Dec 2, 2019 • 57min
10 steps to upgrading your website with Kristi Porter
Send us a textHave you ever been on a website where you just click and then you don't know where you came from? You don't understand where things are and then you keep clicking and can't get back to where you want to go? If you haven't updated your website in the last month, chances are, your audience is having the same experience with your website. In this episode, we're chatting with Kristi Porter from Signify Solutions about the top mistakes we're doing with our websites. Tune in as we debunk myths around your website and offer practical tips that you can use to update your ideal website today!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.

Nov 25, 2019 • 44min
Building for inclusion with Christina Sackeyfio
Send us a textAnti-oppression, anti-racism, inclusion is an important conversation for our organization and there's so much work to be done around this. This interview with Christina Sackeyfio, Principal of Boldly Inclusive, articulates that space between an articulated inclusion or diversity effort and what you're actually putting into practice. Tune in to learn how to identify and address oppression, how to create an inclusive culture and how to benchmark your organization's effort on inclusion and diversity so you can track your efforts.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.

25 snips
Nov 18, 2019 • 43min
Playing to Win - a strategy framework with Josie Fung
Send us a textStrategy. It’s one of those things we all know is important, but we never find the time to do it properly. We're so used to the inertia of our work and it's really hard to make time to undertake a strategic planning process. Today's guest is Josie Fung the Executive Director of I Think, which is a program based out of the Rotman School of Business at the University of Toronto. I'm really excited to have her on the podcast talking about “playing to win,” which is a framework that helps us think about our strategic planning and aspirations. 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.

Nov 11, 2019 • 29min
Everything you wanted to know about community bonds with Ryan Collins-Swartz
Send us a textCommunity bonds are an alternative model of financing for charities and nonprofits, that are repayable to investors, with defined interest terms. The bonds allow organizations to collect capital for projects and pay it back over time, like a loan, but you're enabling your community to support it instead of putting money back into the big bank.Today’s guest is Ryan Collins-Swartz from Tapestry Capital. He helps organizations across Ontario raise community bonds, which are a powerful way for nonprofits and charities to finance capital projects by raising investments from their supporters. They allow citizens to invest locally in meaningful projects. 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.

Nov 4, 2019 • 35min
Building your corporate fundraising pipeline with Heather Nelson
Send us a textWe love to talk about corporate giving because it literally comes up in every single conversation with every single organization. In this conversation with our friend Heather Nelson, the founder and principal of BridgeRaise, she talks about what it takes to be open for business to corporate giving. Tune in to learn about what kind of corporate ask to make, how to become "open for business" and how to cultivate sustainable relationships with corporations.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.

Oct 28, 2019 • 41min
Impact stories to raise more money with Shelley Mayer and David Brouitt
Send us a textYou know your work has impact. You see that impact every day. You feel it in your bones. That’s why you get up and go to work every morning. But do your supporters know and understand that impact?Small organizations often struggle with how to communicate that impact. We live it and breathe it every day and it’s hard to share it with others in a way that they understand and connect with the work.This week we’re chatting with Shelley and David from RAMP Communications about the process behind impact stories and how to use them effectively and ethically. They share with us how to empower the communities we serve and help them share their experiences in a way that resonates with your supporters and inspires them to take action.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.

Oct 21, 2019 • 35min
Master your meetings with Rebecca Sutherns
Send us a textWe’ve all been in meetings wondering... “why am I here?” In fact, I imagine that’s what you’re thinking during most meetings. Or, “when will this be over so I can get back to my real work!?”Whether it’s going on for too long or someone else seems to be dominating the conversation, meetings can feel time-consuming and unproductive. In our conversation with Rebecca Sutherns, founder and principal of Sage Solutions, we discuss how you can have better, more meaningful meetings (and fewer of them!). 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.

Oct 14, 2019 • 33min
Outsourcing your back office (and reducing your stress) with Omar Visram
Send us a textHands up if you have a full-time bookkeeper! Ha ha - joking! Most small nonprofits we work with don’t have a full-time, professionally trained bookkeeper. You’re not alone.In this episode, we’re chatting with Omar Visram, CEO of Enkel Backoffice Solutions about cloud-based bookkeeping and accounting solutions that will save you time and money. Tune in to learn about how to move your organization digitally forward.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.

Oct 7, 2019 • 46min
Google Ad Grants 101 with Simon Choy and David Botwick-Ries
Send us a textIn this episode of the podcast, we’re talking about Google Ad Grants with David Botwick-Ries and Simon Choy from ConnectAd, an organization dedicated to assisting charities to obtain and manage free advertising through Google Ad Grants. Tune in to learn what Google Ads are (if you’re just starting out), how to get the grant, how to set up your account and ads, and how to optimize your ads so that you’re actually getting results.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.


