

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 10, 2018 • 25min
Grow or Bust? The Future of Small Nonprofits
Send us a textThe very first season of The Small Nonprofit is coming to a close and we’ve rounded up all of our guests for a very special episode! There is a huge emphasis on growth for all nonprofits, but especially small ones. It’s almost an obsession. How do we grow more? How do we raise more money? What happens if we don’t grow this year? All this got us thinking - is it grow or bust? What happens when a small nonprofit doesn’t grow? Is there a shelf-life for small organizations? We decided to get some of our guests to weigh in on this topic, including Paul Nazareth, Heather Nelson, Matt Fullbrook, Adil Dhalla, Vanessa Chase Lockshin, and Avery Swartz.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 3, 2018 • 60min
The Future of Work with Anil Patel
Send us a textMany organizations are stuck with a donor database sitting on a server somewhere, a website that they can’t update themselves or files saved in random places where no one can access them. It can be overwhelming when searching for the right option to create systems and technology to enable our teams to do the best work they can do. Anil Patel, co-founder of Timeraiser and GrantBook, shares three steps you can take today to save your organization both time and energy so you can get more work done.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 26, 2018 • 47min
How to Apply Social Innovation to Your Small Nonprofit - with Geraldine Cahill
Send us a textSocial innovation can be a bit of a buzzword but there’s a lot that organizations can earn and do around it without diving into the deep end. This week Geraldine Cahill, co-author of Social Innovation Generation and manager of programs and partnerships at Social Innovation Generation National (SiG), who shares how you can think about social innovation in a way that impacts your organization’s day-to-day work AND how you think about changing the world.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 19, 2018 • 43min
Anti-Oppression: Process not Principle with Adil Dhalla
Send us a textTaking an anti-oppression framework and putting into practice is a process, and often times a difficult one. Join our conversation with Adil Dhalla, Executive Director of the Centre for Social Innovation Toronto, on his personal journey to understand and implement an anti-oppression practice. His honest, vulnerable and reflective insights provide an excellent case study in how to move forward, understanding that anti-oppression is a journey as much as a destination.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 12, 2018 • 54min
The Fundamentals of Anti-Oppression with Rania El Mugammar
Send us a textGo beyond the buzzwords to build a foundational understanding of an anti-oppression framework and how it applies to your organization and its mission. In this episode with Rania El Mugammar, an anti-oppression educator, learn how to understand power dynamics, oppression and liberation. Get familiar with the language of social justice and look at models for creating more equitable communities and organizations. In our conversation, we examine concepts of intersectionality, positionality, privilege and oppression. Help your organization reach its equity, inclusion and anti-oppression goals in policy, process and practice.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 5, 2018 • 43min
The Post-Millennial Workforce with Mary Barroll
Send us a textWe all know how millennials have impacted the workforce, but a new generation is emerging! Gen Z is now entering the workforce and they are poised to have a very different impact than the generation before them. Join our conversation with Mary Barroll, President of TalentEgg, to learn how to find and hire Gen Z interns and employees and how to keep them engaged in their jobs. We discuss: how insights about their work ethic and motivations can help your small charity, what's important and meaningful work for them and how you can find, recruit and retain them.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 29, 2018 • 44min
Board Effectiveness Made Easy with Matt Fullbrook
Send us a textBoard governance and effectiveness lies at the heart of charities. We love our boards, but working with them can be very challenging. Matt Fullbrook from the Clarkson Centre for Board Governance walks us through some easy but impactful steps to take to re-focus your board and repair or optimize your relationship with your board members. Whether your board is highly functional or the cause of your grey hairs, Matt has tips and tools to get the most out of your board and make sure they are getting the most out of volunteering for your organization.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 22, 2018 • 1h
Digital Marketing DIY with Avery Swartz
Send us a textEver wonder where to focus your digital marketing efforts? Or even what digital marketing means? Then, once you know what you *should* be doing, you actually have to get it done. Avery Swartz, founder of Camp Tech, walks us through digital marketing and what you should be doing for your organization. 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 18, 2018 • 17min
BONUS - announcing the new pension plan for the nonprofit sector in Ontario
Send us a textIn this quick bonus episode, learn more about the new nonprofit sector pension plan available to organizations in Ontario. This is a great initiative that helps promote employee retention and position sector employees for a better and more secure retirement. 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 15, 2018 • 38min
Managing Volunteers in Small Organizations with Camara Chambers
Send us a textVolunteers are critical to small organizations, but managing them often requires a lot of resources that we don't plan for. Camara Chambers, Executive Director of Volunteer Toronto helps break down the ins and outs of managing volunteers to make sure they are adding as much value as possible to your work and impact.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.


