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

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever thought about merging your nonprofit with another organization? Or maybe transferring a program to another nonprofit? You might be thinking, "That sounds complicated and risky!" But what if strategic collaboration could be the key to unlocking your nonprofit's full potential?  In this episode of Small Nonprofit, Maria Rio is joined by Michelle Shumate,...

Send us Fan Mail Struggling to connect with your service users and donors in a meaningful way? On this episode of Small Nonprofit, Ashley Alaniz-Moyer, Executive Director of the Hispanic Scholarship Consortium and co-founder of Refuerzo Collaborative, shares her insights on refreshing your approach to community engagement.  Ashley and Maria discuss innovative ways to build community, reimagine non...

Send us Fan Mail Are you constantly exhausted, overwhelmed, and struggling to find the motivation to keep going? In this episode of Small Nonprofit, Maria Rio is joined by the inspiring Kashana Palmer, CEO of Management Co, to explore the importance of rest, humanity, and self-awareness in nonprofit leadership. Together, they discuss how rest and intentionality can transform personal and organizat...

Send us Fan Mail Curious about balancing experience and fresh ideas on your nonprofit board? Or seeking ways to keep fundraising events engaging in the digital age? In this special Mother’s Day episode of Small Nonprofit, Maria Rio is joined by Suzanne Wilcox, Director of Developmental Fundraising at Evergreen, and her mother, Martha Schwieters.  Together, they share their personal and professiona...

Send us Fan Mail Are you constantly losing your best fundraisers? Join Maria Rio and Laura Vitelli, co-founder of Staiger, Vitelli & Associates, as they share actionable insights on how nonprofits can attract, retain, and support their top fundraisers. Laura highlights the challenges fundraisers face, the importance of value alignment, and how to foster a supportive culture that retains top ta...

Send us Fan Mail Can you support your cause AND prioritize worker's rights? Nonprofit workplaces often come with an expectation of self-sacrifice. Staff are expected to work long hours, accept below-market pay, and tolerate unfair conditions – all in service of the mission. But what if there's a better way? Join Maria Rio and Christina Rousseau, a labor organizer and union advocate, to e...

Send us Fan Mail Does your nonprofit seem to be just scraping by even though everyone is working harder than ever?   It's not just your organization. The nonprofit sector is in crisis, facing issues like shrinking revenue, chronic underfunding, staffing struggles, and increasing demands from the community.  Join Maria Rio and Nicole Gagliardi, a nonprofit governance consultant with nearly 20...

Send us Fan Mail Does your nonprofit talk a good game about diversity and inclusion, but the action never seems to follow? Maybe you've been part of mandatory trainings that left you asking, "Okay, but now what??"  Join Maria Rio and Jade Pichette, Director of Programs at Pride at Work Canada, as they explore how organizations can implement effective DEI strategies to foster inclusi...

Send us Fan Mail Feel like you're constantly chasing, juggling, and maybe even losing ground? Join Maria Rio and communication expert Maryanne Dersch, founder of Courageous Communication, as they discuss how nonprofits can master the art of influence, release fear, and embrace bold communication strategies.  Maryanne shares how organizations can stand in their values, build meaningful relatio...

Send us Fan Mail What if everyone in you nonprofit was a fundraiser? Join Maria Rio as she chats with Tammy Ebuen, Senior Director of Development at Visions of Science, about creating a shared fundraising culture and engaging program staff in fundraising campaigns. Tammy shares her personal journey from HR admin to fundraising leadership and discusses the impact of authentic representation -- high...

Send us Fan Mail Think you know how donors behave? Think again! Join Maria and Tim Sarrantonio, Director of Corporate Brand at Neon One, as they explore the realities (and myths) of monthly giving and donor retention. They talk about the psychology behind giving and Tim shares insights from a five-year analysis of donor data, revealing that recurring donors give nearly $1,000 annually -- with 50%...

Send us Fan Mail Why are fundraisers of color leaving the sector? Join Maria and Marissa as they explore the vital role of mentorship in supporting fundraisers of color in the nonprofit sector. Marissa, a California-based mentor and facilitator, shares her experience running a cohort for BIPOC fundraisers and leaders. She is uniquely positioned to provide key insights on the state of the sector, i...

Send us Fan Mail Tired of the same old fundraising that doesn't reflect your community? Join Maria and Madeline Taylor as they dive into the unique fundraising efforts at Out On Screen, a queer-focused nonprofit in Vancouver, BC. Madeline shares their approach to Community-Centric Fundraising, showcasing queer stories in the Vancouver Queer Film Festival, and using live events to build strong...

Send us Fan Mail Ready to rethink nonprofit leadership and accountability? Scandals, harmful practices, and image-obsessed leaders plague our sector, but it doesn't have to be this way. Join host Maria Rio and Liz LeClair -- an intersectional feminist, fundraiser, and advocate -- as they discuss accountability, equity, and systemic challenges in the nonprofit sector. Liz shares insights into...

Send us Fan Mail What if you could turn your biggest supporters into top-performing fundraisers? Discover the untapped power of peer-to-peer fundraising with Tess Conrad, founder of Full Potential Fundraising. Tess breaks down how nonprofits, big and small, can engage their supporters to become ambassadors for their cause. From setting realistic goals to crafting effective toolkits and engaging do...

Send us Fan Mail Why do "big nonprofits" use those emotional, tear-jerking stories? Well, today, we are sharing a much better (and more ethical) way to inspire donors. Discover how ethical storytelling can transform your nonprofit's marketing strategy and deepen donor relationships. Diana Farias Heinrich, a marketing and communications expert, shares her insights into putting servic...

Send us Fan Mail Are you torn between supporting your team's work-life balance and striving to hit those all-important milestones? Balancing parental leave and nonprofit work is no small feat, but Lacey Kempinski, founder and CEO of Balanced Good, is leading the charge in creating supportive workplace practices. In this episode, Maria and Lacey discuss the challenges faced by working parents...

Send us Fan Mail Wanna get your voice heard at city council meetings? Join Maria Rio and Alison Stewart, Director of Advocacy and Public Policy at Cycle Toronto, as they explore the intersection of advocacy, public policy, and collaboration to create safer streets in Toronto. In this episode, Alison shares how small nonprofits can effectively engage with government officials, advocate for policy c...

Send us Fan Mail Are you feeling burned out? In this deeply insightful episode, Mike Prosserman, founder of Unity Charity and CEO of EPIC Leadership, shares his journey of starting and growing a nonprofit organization. From humble beginnings as a high school project to becoming a national charity, Mike opens up about the challenges, lessons, and personal tolls of nonprofit leadership. He dives int...

Send us Fan Mail Tired of pouring your time and effort onto social media and NOT hit your fundraising goals? In this episode, Sara Hoosholey, fundraising consultant and founder of Charity Shift, joins host Maria Rio and shares innovative strategies for small nonprofits to collect emails, engage audiences, and boost donations. Sara explains how nonprofits can use digital strategies to build trust,...

Send us Fan Mail Are the challenges in your nonprofit growing pains or signs of deeper issues? This episode can make your nonprofit more effective, scalable, and fundable, so listen up! Join host Maria Rio and operational expert Miriam Dicks from 180 Management Group as they share how nonprofits can strengthen their operations, foster accountability, and streamline efficiency. Miriam highlights co...

Send us Fan Mail Is your major gifts fundraising strategy aligned with your core values? In this insightful conversation, host Maria Rio is joined by Sarah Staiger. Together, they explore the intimidating (but rewarding!) world of major gifts and the transformative power of community-centric fundraising (CCF) while also discussing actionable strategies for small nonprofits to align their values wi...

Send us Fan Mail Does face-to-face fundraising feel out of reach for your small nonprofit?  In this episode of The Small Nonprofit, Maria Rio sits down with Jerome Cheung, fundraising expert and Strategic Communications leader at Stratcom Canada, to dive deep into the world of face-to-face fundraising. Jerome reflects on his extensive career in nonprofit fundraising, international development, and...

Send us Fan Mail Is your small nonprofit is getting the attention it deserves from key decision-makers? In this episode of The Small Nonprofit, host Maria Rio welcomes government relations expert Tristan Dewdny to explore how nonprofits can engage effectively with government to drive systemic change. Tristan, a seasoned lobbyist and founder of his own GR consultancy, shares insights into the pract...

Send us Fan Mail Are you missing the mark when it comes to fundraising online? In this episode of The Small Nonprofit, host Maria Rio dives into the dynamic world of digital fundraising and ethical storytelling with Fai Hassan, Associate Director of Digital Fundraising at Public Outreach. From leveraging social media platforms to amplify fundraising efforts to rethinking how nonprofits tell impact...