It Doesn't Hurt to Ask!

It Doesn't Hurt to Ask is the podcast for nonprofit leaders and fundraisers who want to raise more money with less chaos and build systems that last.

Hosted by Cathy Mann, award-winning fundraiser, educator, and founder of The Fundraising Lab, each episode blends decades of sector experience with practical insights you can apply right away.

Whether you're leading a team, writing your first grant, or steering a $2M campaign, you'll find real talk, relatable stories, and strategies rooted in social-change philanthropy.

Every other week, Cathy and her guests break down how strategy, systems, and culture work together so your organization can scale its fundraising from $200K to $2M and beyond, without burning out your people or your mission.

Resources and links: Check out host Cathy Mann on LinkedIn Book your Fundraising Growth Game Plan call Email us at [email protected] Subscribe to our email list

Podcast editing and post-production by: Daniella Sorrentino at Feral Culture Lab (feralculturelab.com)

Music: Intro and Outro Music is Fancy Free by Reveille at Soundstripe

Tune in as Cathy interviews Joel Zola, Executive Director of Street Voices. Based in Toronto, Street Voices is a youth-led online platform that aims to create a voice for the marginalized. Their ultimate aim: empower marginalized voices, no matter who they are. 

Tune in as Cathy interviews Paul Taylor, Executive Director of FoodShare Toronto. Paul is a lifelong anti-poverty activist who has used his experience to fuel a career focused on helping others and dismantling the beliefs and systems that lead to poverty and insecurity.

This is a replay of one of our favourite episodes from last season. In this episode, Simone Joyaux, ACFRE (proclaimed by Cathy as the Grand Dame of Social Change Philanthropy) reviews the do's, don'ts and dilemmas of fundraising for social change. From the professionalism of fundraising to board governance, this wide-ranging conversation will surely leave you thinking about the ethical challenges of philanthropy in new ways.

On today's episode, Cathy sits down with Paulina O'Kieffe-Anthony, the executive director of SKETCH based in Toronto. Paulina discusses her new role as Executive Director of SKETCH and some of what she's learned in various roles. She also talks about her work in the arts with racialized and marginalized youth. She then talks through how having a strong fundraising plan and database has been a game-changer for SKETCH. And finally, talks about her hopes for what is to come in the industry and what young leaders can bring.

Join our free fundraising plan webinar: https://fundraisinglab.ca/webinar

You can find more info about Spark Premium, and our new course, Donor Database Essentials: https://www.fundraisinglab.ca/spark/database

In this episode of 'It Doesn't Hurt to Ask,' the Fundraising Lab's Anne LeMesurier talks with David Phu from Nonprofit Video Comms. We learn about how small to mid-sized nonprofits can look to simplify their marketing communications while increasing impact using simple and targeted video. David and Anne discuss different types of audiences, where you should spend your time and money, strategies for success and what data you should be paying attention to. You can also join our Spark Community for FREE: https://www.fundraisinglab.ca/spark

On today's episode, Cathy sits down with Sharon Redsky, the Principal at Redsky Fundraising. Sharon discusses how community has the ability to be transformed through intentionality and deepening relationships with partners. She discusses finding common ground, investing in women and the ongoing resiliency of the indigenous community. Join our Spark Community for FREE: https://www.fundraisinglab.ca/spark