Frontier FM

This episode of Frontier.FM gets right to the heart of what it means to lead inclusively in an era of backlash and burnout. Naomi sits down with Mateo Stewart—aka The Bearded Leader—to unpack how organizations can foster authentic belonging, challenge assumptions, and rethink donor and employee engagement through a lens of equity and neuro-inclusion.

Mateo shares his deeply personal and unexpected journey into the world of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and offers a candid, systems-aware critique of the performative traps organizations can fall into—alongside generous, actionable ways forward.

• 00:00 – Who is Mateo Stewart? From hospital corridors to boardrooms and TEDx stages, Mateo's DEI journey began not with a mission—but with a reckoning.

• 07:00 – Is Inclusion Backsliding? Naomi raises the red flag on visible pullbacks from DEI commitments. Mateo offers a behind-the-scenes look at what's really happening in executive boardrooms.

• 12:00 – The Business Case for Belonging Why creating psychologically safe workplaces isn't an HR "nice-to-have"—it's a leadership necessity for innovation and long-term organizational health.

• 18:00 – Culture, Process, Tools Mateo outlines his three-pillar framework for building inclusive workplaces that work—especially for nonprofits and lean teams.

• 23:00 – Reframing Generational Values Gen Z? Gen X? Boomer? Doesn't matter. The future of work is values-aligned, and leaders need to meet people—donors and employees—where they're at.

• 27:00 – Donor Relations and Neurodiversity Why your gala might be alienating a loyal donor, and how to rethink storytelling, communication preferences, and accessibility in donor engagement.

• 33:00 – Inclusive Design Fails (and Fixes) The Diabetes Canada logo misfire, screen reader nightmares, and what your donation form might be silently doing to exclude supporters.

• 39:00 – Avoiding Tokenism A hard-hitting reminder that people aren't props. Ethical storytelling means doing better by the people whose lives your org impacts.

• Inclusion isn't a department—it's a leadership competency. Every exec, every board member, every manager has a role to play.

• Don't assume donor preferences. Ask, adapt, and accept that one-size-fits-all storytelling won't cut it.

• Accessibility is respect in action. If your digital tools or events are unintentionally exclusive, you're not just missing out, you're causing harm.

• Representation without respect is exploitation. If your engagement strategy features the people you serve, ensure their agency and dignity are centred.

If you're ready to make inclusion a cornerstone of your fundraising—not a checkbox—visit us at https://www.societ.com/solutions/frontier/. Let's build workplaces and campaigns where everyone can thrive.

• Connect with Naomi Perks on LinkedIn

• Connect with Mateo Stewart on LinkedIn

• Listen to episode #74 Ethical Storytelling: How to Transform Fundraising Narratives with Allison Rolle & Mariya Glubrecht

Five years after the world stopped, what has the nonprofit sector actually learned?

In this episode of Frontier.FM, Naomi Perks and Wes Moon speak with Kirk Schmidt, Chief Advisor of Operations at the Alberta Cancer Foundation, about the messy realities of crisis response, the limits of planning, and what COVID uncovered about nonprofit culture and capacity.

From making decisions without enough data to building flexible frameworks that can bend but not break, Kirk brings both practical wisdom and post-crisis clarity. Together, we explore what needs to change—structurally and culturally—so that nonprofits can lead through future disruptions with more confidence and less chaos.

You'll want to hear this episode if you're interested in…

• Why emergency plans often fail when they're needed most

• The importance of decision-making frameworks over fixed strategies

• How to lead when you don't have all the information (and never will)

• Organizational inertia vs. agility: what shifted, what didn't

• Cultural humility and listening beyond your bubble

• What resilience really looks like in a nonprofit context

(00:00:00) Meet Kirk and Wes: Punches, Plans & Pandemic Chaos (00:03:20) Planning Between Crises: Why We Always Wait Too Long (00:06:40) Leading Through Uncertainty: Making Decisions with Missing Info (00:10:45) It's Not the Plan—It's the Process (and the Structure) (00:14:55) Organizational Culture Shifts: Listening, Inclusion & Evolving (00:18:15) Are We Better Off Now? Lessons We're Still Learning (00:22:30) Wrap-Up: Building Real Capacity Before the Next Disruption

• Kirk Schmidt on LinkedIn: Follow Kirk

• Naomi Perks on LinkedIn: Follow Naomi

• Wes Moon on LinkedIn: Follow Wes

• Contact Frontier

• Visit us to learn more on our website

In this episode, Naomi Perks is joined by Anna Melton to dig deep into Monthly Giving Week 2025, a new celebration and campaign designed to spotlight the power of monthly giving. Together, they explore:

• Why monthly giving is gaining momentum

• How nonprofits can start small (and smart)

• The most common objections and how to overcome them

• Examples of standout monthly programs

• Data points that matter when tracking success

• The stewardship piece that turns "set-it-and-forget-it" into "set-it-and-thrive"

Whether you're new to monthly giving or ready to level up, this episode will inspire and equip you to act.

• Glass Register – Free, easy-to-use donation tool
• Fundraise Up – Donation platform that simplifies monthly giving

• Concern Worldwide – Concerned Citizens

• UNICEF Canada – Monthly Giving

• Episode 75: The Giving Report 2024 with Nicole Nessie and Jennifer Robbins

In this episode of Frontier FM, hosts Naomi Perks and Wes dive into the latest trends and challenges in the nonprofit sector, focusing on the recent extension of the charitable tax deadline to February 28th for Canadian nonprofits.

Guest Nicole Danesi from Canada Helps returns to discuss the implications of this extension, including strategies for leveraging additional time to boost donations, handling initial confusion around the announcement, and the impact of recent Canada Post labor disruptions.

They also explore broader issues like government funding changes, the potential 'Trump Slump,' and the evolving landscape of digital and traditional fundraising methods.

The episode concludes with advice on future-proofing nonprofits in uncertain times and fostering stronger donor connections.

Strategies to prepare for the future—whether or not the extension remains permanent.

00:00 Welcome to Frontier FM

00:37 Introducing the Guest: Nicole Danesi

00:51 Understanding the Charitable Tax Deadline Extension

02:00 Government Announcements and Their Impact

05:26 Strategies for Nonprofits During the Extension

14:10 Monthly Donations and Digital Giving Trends

19:27 The Rise of Giving Tuesday

24:27 Digital Transformation in Nonprofits

30:54 The Comfort of Traditional Banking

31:44 Diverse Giving Options for Canadians

33:14 The Importance of Human Connection in Fundraising

36:37 Personalization in Fundraising

41:27 Adapting to Uncertainty in the Nonprofit Sector

48:31 The Role of Social Media and Digital Platforms

52:11 Looking Forward: Resilience and Future Trends

56:01 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode, Megan and Naomi dive into a holiday classic with a twist: Grab your Bailey's and coffee as we explore the past, present, and future of fundraising in our Year In Review!

Relive the highs and lows of 2024 and look ahead to the exciting trends for 2025.

You Will Want to Hear This Episode if You Are Interested In...

(00:02:33) - Top 3 "Comeback Kids" of 2024

(00:11:24) - Biggest Fundraising Inconveniences of 2024

(00:20:28) - Impact of the Canada Post Strike on Giving Tuesday

(00:27:47) - Top 3 AI Tools of 2024

(00:42:25) - Top 3 Fundraising Myths Busted in 2024

(00:56:21) - Top 3 Epsiodes of Frontier FM in 2024

(01:05:05) - Trend Predictions for 2025

Resources & People Mentioned Email Frontier FM YOUR fundraising questions - [email protected]! Next After's Research on multi-channel donor value - https://www.nextafter.com/blog/advanced-guide-to-integrated-fundraising/ Perplexity - https://www.perplexity.ai/ Best AI caption creation tools of 2024 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRTgBXWnEvI Google Search Console - https://search.google.com/search-console/about Suno - https://suno.com/ Ethical Storytelling Episode - Episode 74 Mike Berg Episode - Episode 71 David Allison Epsiode - Episode 73 Charity Water Testing - https://www.nextafter.com/blog/a-look-inside-testing-optimization-at-charity-water/ Children of the Streets ad campaign - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exCGLf6NN_s&t=19s Fluvog - https://www.fluevog.com/community/ NotebookLM - https://notebooklm.google.com/ Connect With Frontier Follow Megan McCaffery - LinkedIn Follow Naomi - LinkedIn Website - https://Frontier.io Frontier on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/frontiermarketingco/ Frontier FM's NEW Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/frontier.fm/ Frontier is back on Youtube! - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-tL0vsChb0InyvJcvZn_dA

Frontier.FM is produced by Megan McCaffery & the Frontier by Societ team

What's a non-profit to do with no mail for over two weeks?

In this episode, Megan and Naomi chat with Joanne Griffiths from Backpack Buddies to discuss some of the strategies they're trying as we head into their busiest giving season.

This podcast interview features Joanne Griffiths, co-founder of Backpack Buddies, a non-profit organization addressing childhood hunger. We explore Backpack Buddies growth over the last 13 years and talk about the challenges due to the Canada Post strike and explores alternative communication strategies to maintain donations.

You Will Want to Hear This Episode if You Are Interested In...

(00:00:53) - The Origin of Backpack Buddies

(00:07:15) - Securing Essential Resources as a New NPO

(00:14:28) - Impact of the Canada Post Strike

(00:16:02) - Future of Direct Mail and Budgeting

(00:17:14) - Donor Awareness and Response to the Strike

(00:21:24) - Volunteer Mobilization and Alternative Strategies

(00:25:22) - Exploring BVMs and Text Messaging

(00:27:07) - Donor Stewardship and Thank-a-thons

(00:28:02) - Collecting Donor Contact Information

(00:30:38) - Tax Receipts and CRM Management

(00:31:36) - Revenue Predictions and Strike Impact

(00:35:24) - Exploring New Social Media Platforms

(00:37:01) - Threads, BlueSky, LinkedIn and Instagram

(00:47:42) - Pros and Cons of Event Fundraising

(00:55:00) - NotebookLM

(00:56:03) - Greatest Fears

Resources & People Mentioned Email Frontier FM YOUR fundraising questions at [email protected]! The latest on the Canada Post strike: https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/canada-post-strike-four-week Check out these stratgies and more on our blog: https://www.frontier.io/resources/canada-post-might-go-on-strike Backpack Buddies: https://www.backpackbuddies.ca/ Connect with Joanne [email protected] NotebookLM: https://notebooklm.google.com/ Connect With Frontier Follow Megan on LinkedIn Follow Naomi on LinkedIn Website: https://Frontier.io Frontier on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/frontiermarketingco/ Frontier FM's NEW Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frontier.fm/

Frontier.FM is produced by Megan McCaffery & the Frontier by Societ team

Canada Post gave a 72hr strike notice today, so what does that mean for your Year End fundraising? In this episode, Megan and Naomi dive into some strategies you can implement in the face of a looming strike, and a few ideas you can still execute on before Giving Tuesday.

• (00:02:50) Stewardship, phone calls, and updating your CRM
• (00:06:00) Advertising in digital
• (00:06:55) Leveraging buckslips effectively
• (00:07:30) Matches and Match alternatives
• (00:11:05) Giving Tuesday, there's still time!
• (00:11:45) Video, BVMs, and SMS
• (00:21:29) Creating effective ad campaigns
• (00:29:41) The role of your webite in your Year End fundraising
• (00:31:15) Building a consistent donor journey
• (00:36:21) Thanking Canada Post on your OEs
• (00:38:30) Stewardship through video content
• (00:44:55) Will they stirke? What we saw in 2018

• Email Frontier FM YOUR fundraising questions at [email protected]!
• The latest on the Canada Post strike: https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/cupw-canada-post-strike-1.7380827
• Check out these stratgies and more on our blog: https://www.frontier.io/resources/canada-post-might-go-on-strike
• Calm's election ad: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4F8iGSCUyY
• ThankView: https://www.thankview.com/
• Cameo: https://www.cameo.com/
• Follow Derek on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derekweiss/

• Follow Megan McCaffery on LinkedIn
• Follow Naomi on LinkedIn
• Website: https://Frontier.io
• Frontier on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/frontiermarketingco/

Frontier.FM is produced by Megan McCaffery & the Frontier by Societ team

In celebration of our LinkedIn Live event with NextAfter (and definitely NOT because we ran out of episodes in the queue) we are taking a dive into episodes past, pulling out some of our favourite moments from our time with our guests from NextAfter and their alumni!

• All About Testing with Nathan Hill from NextAfter, EP #70
• Discussing Digital Fundraising Trends with Brady Josephson, EP #53
• Tim Kachuriak of NextAfter Talks Online Optimization, the Digital Frontier, and Generosity, EP #25

• Check out our Linkedin Live event at https://www.linkedin.com/events/boostingyourcharity-semailsign-7242258572997222400/theater/
• Download the report at https://www.frontier.io/resources/unlocking-the-power-of-email-acquisition
• Email YOUR fundraising questions at [email protected]!

• https://Frontier.io
• Frontier on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/frontiermarketingco/
• Frontier on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/frontiermarketingco
• Frontier on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frontiermarketingco/

Frontier.FM is produced by Megan McCaffery & the Frontier by Societ team

What do Taylor Swift, the Stanley Cup, and Spotify Wrapped have in common? They might just help you improve your fundraising! In this episode, Megan is joined by Wes Moon and some behind the scenes Frontier staff as they take a deep dive into the CanadaHelps 2024 Giving Report with special guests: Nicole Danesi from CanadaHelps and Jennifer Robins from Environics Analytics. This episode is packed with insights, data, and trends that are shaping the landscape of charitable giving in Canada.

(00:00:52) Nicole Dainese's Background (00:01:25) Jennifer Robbins' Background (00:04:04) Profile of Jessica: A Representative Canadian Millennial (00:07:01) Social Connectedness and Giving Trends (00:10:01) Impact of the Pandemic on Social Networks (00:14:40) Monthly Giving Trends (00:32:06) Gap Between Concern and Action in Environmental Giving (00:40:06) Effectiveness of In-Person Asks and Door-to-Door Canvassing (00:46:31) Importance of Hope in Fundraising (00:48:08) The 1% Improvement Theory (00:51:20) Leveraging Leassons from the For Profit Sector (00:56:48) Surprising and Not So Surprising Insights From Giving Reports Past and Present (00:59:20) Why are we Seeing Fewer Donors? (01:05:55) Giving Tuesday Best Practices (01:08:45) The Giving Report Personas (01:11:50) Online Giving Trends & Talks of a Recession (01:15:05) Pandemic Predictions vs Reality (01:21:30) Identifying and Leveraging Donor Values (01:24:01) The Consequences of Relying on Major Gifts (01:26:13) Greatest Fears

• Email Frontier FM YOUR fundraising questions at [email protected]!
• The CanadaHelps Giving Report
• The Theory of Marginal Gains
• Environics value reports
• Epsiode #73 on Valuegraphics
• How charities can maximize giving webinar
• Genwell

• Follow Nicole on LinkedIn
• Follow Jennifer on LinkedIn

• Follow Megan McCaffery on LinkedIn
• Follow Wes on LinkedIn
• Website: https://Frontier.io
• Frontier on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/frontiermarketingco/

Frontier.FM is produced by Megan McCaffery & the Frontier by Societ team

In this enlightening episode, Naomi takes a deep dive into the critical topic of ethical storytelling within the nonprofit sector with guests Allison Rolle and Mariya Glubrecht. Together they offer valuable insights into how nonprofits can honor and empower the individuals whose stories they share without compromising impact.

(00:00:00) Meet Mariya and Alli

(00:02:14) Importance of Ethical Storytelling

(00:04:30) Honoring Stories in Nonprofits

(00:07:17) Addressing Power Imbalances in Storytelling

(00:13:05) Capturing the Right Voice

(00:19:33) AI and Ethical Storytelling

(00:31:00) Acknowledging the Past and Moving Forward

(00:35:47) EDI Misteps and Fails

(00:39:48) Oversimplification and Manipulation

(00:47:17) Helping Organizations Embrace Ethical Storytelling

(00:51:37) NPOs that are Doing it Right

(01:01:05) Alli and Mariya Share Their Greatest Fears

• Email Frontier FM YOUR fundraising questions at [email protected]!
• Algorithms of Oppression
• Automating Inequality
• Stop the Pity
• Esther Lee

• Follow Alli on LinkedIn
• Follow Mariya on LinkedIn

• Follow Naomi Perks on LinkedIn
• Follow Megan McCaffery on LinkedIn
• Website: https://Frontier.io
• Frontier on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/frontiermarketingco/

Frontier.FM is produced by Megan McCaffery & the Frontier by Societ team