Small Nonprofit: Fundraising Tips, Leadership Strategies, and Community-Centric Solutions for Canadian and American Nonprofits

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Dealing with rising disconnection, financial stress, and generational shifts in the nonprofit landscape? Building community connections during these challenging times might be the answer. But How? In this episode, Maria sits down with Nicole from Canada Helps and Sam from Apathy Is Boring to explore the power of nonprofit community building. They discuss the latest trends in donor behavior, insights from CanadaHelps’ 2024 Giving Report, and actionable strategies to engage donors and mobilize supporters.

Nicole highlights key findings from the report, while Sam shares how her organization fosters youth engagement and civic participation.

Nonprofit Community Building in Challenging Times – The Highlights: 

• The connection between community engagement and donor behavior. 
• Data from Canada Helps' 2024 Giving Report: Trends in monthly giving and donor demographics. 
• Strategies to strengthen nonprofit community building and foster loyalty. 
• How Giving Tuesday inspires donor action and attracts younger audiences. 
• Real-world examples from Apathy Is Boring on youth engagement and advocacy.

 🎧 Listen to more episodes for actionable fundraising tips and insights on nonprofit leadership, nonprofit governance, donor retention, productivity & tools, and donor engagement strategies that work! We're here to eliminate nonprofit burnout and boost your donations!

About CanadaHelps’ 2024 Giving Report:

The Giving Report 2024 highlights insights and giving trends that are challenging Canada’s charitable sector as it struggles to keep pace with increasing demand amidst a decline in charitable donors. Leveraging the vast volume and breadth of online giving data at CanadaHelps and analysis of the latest tax filer data, we paint a detailed picture of concerning trends in how Canadians give.

Actionable Tips for Nonprofits to Build Community (even in challenging times): 

1. Leverage monthly giving: consider encouraging monthly donations to provide stable, recurring support. 
2. Highlight impact: show donors exactly how their contributions make a difference in their community. 
3. Engage young people on their terms: tap into platforms like TikTok to connect with younger audiences and address their interest in accessible, transparent impact. 
4. Focus on community connections: creating opportunities for meaningful interactions between donors and beneficiaries can boost engagement, especially in an increasingly disconnected world. 

Resources and Links: 

• CanadaHelps Giving Report (2024) 
• CanadaHelps Website 
• Apathy is Boring Website 
• Apathy is Boring: The FEED 
• Apathy is Boring Resources 
• Apathy is Boring's 20th Anniversary 
• Connect with Maria Rio 
• Connect with Nicole Danesi 
• Connect with Sam Reusch 
• Watch this episode on YouTube.

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How much time are you spending on tasks that could be automated? Are you a small nonprofit looking to save time, retain donors, and streamline operations? Join Maria as she sits down with Rachel Bearbower, founder of Small Shop Strategies and The Nonprofit Automation Agency. Rachel shares expert tips on leveraging automation tools like CRMs, email series, and workflow integrations to make your nonprofit more efficient while building stronger donor relationships.

Learn how small steps in automation can lead to big impacts for your nonprofit team and mission. Don’t miss Rachel’s actionable advice on creating a more sustainable workload so you can turn that time into fostering meaningful connections with donors!

Nonprofit Automation Tips – The Highlights:

• Key automations to enhance donor retention
• Tools to reduce repetitive tasks and increase nonprofit productivity
• Integrating automation into existing nonprofit workflows
• Examples of effective nonprofit tech stacks
• Personalizing donor engagement while scaling efforts

 🎧 Listen to more episodes for actionable fundraising tips and insights on nonprofit leadership, nonprofit governance, donor retention, productivity & tools, and donor engagement strategies that work! We're here to eliminate nonprofit burnout and boost your donations!

About Rachel Bearbower:

Rachel is the founder of Small Shop Strategies and the Nonprofit Automation Agency. She is a nonprofit automation expert who helps forward-thinking nonprofits increase their revenue with time-saving automations. Better systems for better stewardship! She is on a mission to get nonprofits to stop losing donors and money with tasks that are time consuming and repetitive. You can knock off up to 20 hours of work a month by getting your tech to talk and setting up simple automations.

Actionable Tips for Nonprofits to Save Time & Money: 

1. Automate donor welcome series: Set up a welcome email series for new donors, ensuring they feel immediately connected. 
2. Organize follow-ups with tools like FollowUpThen: Automate follow-ups on donor conversations or tasks by setting reminders that pop back up when it’s time to reconnect. 
3. Optimize your tech stack: Regularly audit your tech tools, ensuring they’re integrated and serve your organization’s needs. Consider connecting with experts like Rachel for a tech audit if you're unsure where to start. 

Resources and Links: 

• Nonprofit Automation Agency 
• Small Shop Strategies 
• Connect with Maria Rio 
• Connect with Rachel Bearbower 
• Instagram: @smallshopstrategies 
• Watch this episode on YouTube

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Is your nonprofit to be "corporate-ready"? Unlock the potential of corporate partnerships for your nonprofit with insights from Heather Nelson, founder of BridgeRaise. With over 15 years of experience in corporate fundraising, Heather shares actionable tips on how small nonprofits can create meaningful corporate relationships.

From overcoming fears of approaching large companies to identifying mutual value, this episode is packed with strategies to build lasting partnerships.

Corporate Partnerships for Small Nonprofits – The Highlights: 

• Common mistakes nonprofits make in corporate partnership building.
• Why passive approaches don't work and how to overcome fear.
• Steps to define what a successful corporate partnership looks like.
• Understanding corporate motivations: employee engagement, marketing, and purpose-driven initiatives.
• How to price employee engagement opportunities effectively.
• The importance of persistence and follow-up in corporate fundraising.
• Real-world examples of successful corporate partnerships.
• Strategies to maintain relationships when a corporate contact leaves.
• How to prepare your nonprofit to be "corporate-ready."

 🎧 Listen to more episodes for actionable fundraising tips and insights on nonprofit leadership, nonprofit governance, donor retention, productivity & tools, and donor engagement strategies that work! We're here to eliminate nonprofit burnout and boost your donations!

About Heather Nelson:

Heather founded BridgeRaise, a boutique corporate fundraising consultancy with a team of specialists ready to support charities and nonprofits in raising more money from companies. They have worked with hundreds of nonprofits in building values-aligned corporate partnerships. At BridgeRaise, they specialize in corporate partnership strategy, corporate prospect research, pipeline growth and proposal development, creating organizational readiness for sponsorship and corporate partnership, and building cause marketing, sponsorship and employee engagement programs.

Actionable Tips for Nonprofit Leaders:

1. Start with a clear vision: Define what a successful corporate partnership looks like for your organization. Write it down and build your strategy around this vision. 
2. Offer value beyond funding: Know what you can offer to corporates—employee engagement, volunteerism, or brand alignment—and be clear about what you’re willing to provide. 
3. Prioritize persistence: Follow up with corporates consistently, and don’t give up after one email. Corporate partnerships take time, but persistence often pays off. 

Resources and Links: 

• Bridge Raise Website 
• Bridge Raise Hard Questions Workbook  
• Connect with Maria 
• Connect with Heather 
• Watch this episode on YouTube

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Wondering how to secure more major gifts for your nonprofit? Join us as we dive into the art of major gift fundraising with Rhea Wong, former Executive Director and current fundraising expert. In this episode, Rhea shares practical tips for identifying major donors, building lasting relationships, and transforming your fundraising strategy. From common pitfalls to actionable steps, this conversation will empower small nonprofits to secure transformative gifts and foster genuine donor connections

Major Gifts Fundraising for Small Nonprofits – The Highlights: 

• Why relationship-building is at the heart of major gifts fundraising.
• How to approach major donors with consent and authenticity.
• Overcoming the pitfalls of wealth screening and transactional fundraising.
• Steps to segment your donor list and identify major gift prospects.
• Why centering the donor creates better fundraising outcomes.
• The evolving role of AI and technology in fundraising.
• How to inspire action and build trust with major donors.
• The importance of trust-based philanthropy and community-centric fundraising.
• Strategies for creating a donor-centric fundraising journey.

 🎧 Listen to more episodes for actionable fundraising tips and insights on nonprofit leadership, nonprofit governance, donor retention, productivity & tools, and donor engagement strategies that work! We're here to eliminate nonprofit burnout and boost your donations!

About Rhea Wong:

Rhea trains nonprofit leaders to fundraise more money from high-net worth donors. She helps executive directors and development staff build out individual major gift programs that hit big fundraising goals. She brings in 15+ years of fundraising experience to help you tweak your message, clarify your ideal donor, engage your board, streamline your processes, and make an effective ask. 

Resources and Links: 

• Rhea Wong’s Website 
• Get That Money, Honey: The No-BS Guide to Raising Money for Your Nonprofit. 
• Rhea Wong’s Ways To Work with Me Quiz 
• Connect with Maria Rio 
• Connect with Rhea Wong 
• Watch this episode on YouTube
• Don’t forget to subscribe to The Small Nonprofit Podcast on your favorite platform! Leave a review to help us reach more listeners and continue providing valuable insights

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Are you inspiring or traumatizing donors and supporters? Storytelling is a powerful tool for nonprofits, but how can it be done ethically and with care? In this episode, Maria Bryan, a trauma-informed storytelling expert, shares actionable strategies for gathering, crafting, and distributing stories in ways that promote safety, resist harm, and maintain dignity.

Maria Bryan delivers practical insights into ethical storytelling that respects both story owners and audiences.

Trauma-Informed Storytelling for Nonprofits  – The Highlights:

• What's trauma-informed storytelling? And why it matters for nonprofits. 
• Explore the three phases of storytelling: gathering, crafting, and distributing. 
• Discover how to ensure consent throughout the storytelling process, including setting expiration dates for shared stories. 
• Gain tips for crafting respectful and strengths-based stories while avoiding re-traumatization. 
• Understand the impact of multimedia elements like sounds and imagery on audiences and story owners. 
• Learn how to create a harm repair plan for when mistakes happen. 
• Practical advice for nonprofit marketers, fundraisers, and communicators working with sensitive stories. 

 🎧 Listen to more episodes for actionable fundraising tips and insights on nonprofit leadership, nonprofit governance, donor retention, productivity & tools, and donor engagement strategies that work! We're here to eliminate nonprofit burnout and boost your donations!

About Maria Bryan:

Maria helps changemakers tell impactful stories that resist harm by speaking about trauma-informed storytelling. She provides interactive virtual or in-person training for conferences, summits, retreats, or teams and members. Storytellers will feel equipped with actionable insights and resources grounded in kindness and empathy.

Actionable Tips for Nonprofits:

1. Create a harm repair plan: Always have a plan in place to address. Include steps for pausing, apologizing, and collaborating on next steps. 
2. Use grounding techniques: During difficult interviews, use sensory objects or boundaries to help regulate emotions and maintain composure. 
3. Incorporate breaks: Schedule time for breaks during emotionally intense interviews to process emotions and give yourself space to reset. 

Resources and Links: 

• Maria Bryan’s Website 
• Trauma-Informed Storytelling Toolkit 
• When Bearing Witness Podcast 
• 10 Dignified Storytelling  Questions 
• Connect with Maria Rio 
• Connect with Maria Bryan 

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Are you ready for Muslim Philantropy? Join Maria and Sarah Ali as they discuss the dynamic world of digital-first fundraising, the power of Muslim giving, and how nonprofits can embrace cultural competency to diversify their donor bases. Sarah shares insights from her journey as a digital-first fundraiser, her work with the Muslim Philanthropy Network, and innovative approaches to community engagement, including the use of WhatsApp for mobilization.

Explore strategies to create meaningful connections with Muslim audiences and address critical global issues.

Muslim Giving Trends  – The Highlights:

• The rise of digital-first fundraising and its impact on nonprofits. 
• How Muslim giving trends are reshaping the philanthropic landscape. 
• Tips for fostering cultural competency within nonprofit teams. 
• Leveraging WhatsApp for community engagement and donor mobilization. 
• The power of hope-based communication in crisis fundraising.

 🎧 Listen to more episodes for actionable fundraising tips and insights on nonprofit leadership, nonprofit governance, donor retention, productivity & tools, and donor engagement strategies that work! We're here to eliminate nonprofit burnout and boost your donations!

About Sarah Ali:

Sarah helps nonprofit leaders 2X their revenue through "Always On" donor acquisition and stewardship funnels. She's a board member at Elham Fund and an ED at Muslim Philanthropy Network. Sarah is also the founder of SA Digital, a Muslim women-owned and operated business and is committed to providing justice-forward and inclusive services. She's passionate about ways nonprofits can engage diverse communities through culturally competent fundraising strategies.

Actionable Tips for Nonprofit Leaders:

1. Build culturally competent messaging: Engage with diverse leadership councils from within communities to create messaging that resonates and doesn’t feel tokenizing. 
2. Focus on hope-based communications: In times of crisis, highlight positive stories of hope and concrete actions donors can take. This approach can help reduce collective trauma and increase engagement. 
3. Innovate through cultural campaigns: If you’re considering engaging a community you don’t represent, start by listening, asking for feedback, and being transparent in your intentions. Seek advice from community leaders and organizations like the Muslim Philanthropy Network. 

Tune in to this insightful episode to learn how nonprofits can embrace digital tools and cultural competency to strengthen their donor base and engage meaningfully with diverse communities. 

Resources and Links: 

• Muslim Philanthropy Network Website 
• SA Digital Website 
• Connect with Maria 
• Connect with Sarah 

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Wanna know what the future holds? Welcome to another inspiring episode of Small Nonprofit. This week, Maria sits down with Kamilah Martin, founder and CEO of Katalyst, to discuss how the nonprofit sector is evolving and why consulting might be the future of work for nonprofit leaders. 

Kamilah shares her journey from being a VP at an international humanitarian organization to building a community for women of color transitioning to consulting roles. This conversation dives into innovation, equity, and nonprofit leadership.

The Future of Work in Nonprofits – The highlights:

• How the pandemic accelerated the nonprofit sector’s shift to remote work and innovation.
• Why consulting is an attractive option for nonprofit leaders seeking flexibility.
• Strategies for addressing equity in hybrid work environments.
• Examples of innovation in programming and nonprofit governance.
• The importance of investing in consulting and technology for nonprofit growth.
• How to create a nonprofit culture that embraces experimentation and iterative change.

 🎧 Listen to more episodes for actionable fundraising tips and insights on nonprofit leadership, nonprofit governance, donor retention, productivity & tools, and donor engagement strategies that work! We're here to eliminate nonprofit burnout and boost your donations!

About Kamilah Martin:

After working and leading in the nonprofit world for over 20 years, both as an executive and consultant, Kamilah took a bold step in 2020 and founded Katalyst. With particular expertise in optimizing virtual/remote environments—both domestically and globally—her magic is building empowered, effective, and happy communities, teams, and experiences through a liberatory and human-centered lens. She's also the creator of the award-winning Katalyst Nonprofit Consultant Mastermind Community, a global membership community that supports Black women and women of color nonprofit/NGO consultants, independent contractors, & coaches during years 0-5 of their independent consulting journey.

Quotable Moments from The Future of Work in Nonprofits: Consulting, Innovation, and Leadership with Kamilah Martin: 

"We existed a certain way because that's all we knew. But COVID forced us to rethink that — and that opened up so many opportunities for innovation." – Kamilah Martin 
"Innovation for innovation's sake isn't enough. What are your goals? How do you evaluate if your pilot actually achieves what you want?" – Kamilah Martin 
"Nonprofits that innovate now will thrive in the next 20 years. Those that don’t will get left behind." – Kamilah Martin 

Actionable Tips for Nonprofit Leaders: 

1. Embrace flexible work models: Involve program and admin staff in discussions on remote work equity, and find ways to offer flexibility, even to those in roles requiring in-person work (e.g., alternating schedules). 
2. Pilot innovations with clear goals: Establish a finite timeline for pilots with an evaluation period at the end to determine if adjustments are needed. 
3. Leverage external expertise: Don’t try to solve complex problems alone—engage consultants or experts in areas like change management, technology, or HR for quicker solutions.

Resources and Links: 

• Connect with Maria 
• Connect with Kamilah 
• The Katalyst Website  

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Heard of fractional fundraising but not quite sure if it's a good idea? Fractional fundraising is transforming how small nonprofits tackle resource challenges and in this episode of Small Nonprofit, Maria chats with Nina Horvath, Executive Director of the Coastal Jazz and Blues Society, about how her organization leveraged this innovative model to revitalize fundraising strategies and grow donor engagement.

Nina shares her journey from classical pianist to nonprofit leader and offers valuable insights into the challenges of fundraising in the arts sector. Together, they discuss the benefits of fractional fundraising, its impact on her organization's individual giving revenue, and tips for other nonprofit leaders considering this model.

What's Fractional Fundraising? – The Highlights: 

• Nina’s career journey from classical music to nonprofit leadership. 
• How COVID reshaped nonprofit funding strategies and donor engagement. 
• What's fractional fundraising? And why it’s a game-changer for small nonprofits. 
• Balancing in-house and fractional fundraisers to maximize results. 
• The pros, cons, and unexpected benefits of fractional fundraising. 
• Insights into donor engagement and community-centric fundraising for arts nonprofits. 
• How Coastal Jazz doubled its individual giving revenue in one year. 

Tune in for a thoughtful exploration of how innovative fundraising models are making an impact in the nonprofit sector!

 🎧 Listen to more episodes for actionable fundraising tips and insights on nonprofit leadership, nonprofit governance, donor retention, productivity & tools, and donor engagement strategies that work! We're here to eliminate nonprofit burnout and boost your donations!

About Nina Horvath:
Nina is the Executive Director of the Coastal Jazz and Blues Society, a community-based, not-for-profit, charitable arts organization located in Vancouver, British Columbia. From the very beginning, Coastal has worked diligently to ensure jazz remains an integral part of our city’s vibrant arts scene by fostering the creation and exchange of sounds and ideas between the local, national, and international music communities. Today, Coastal Jazz is also a significant part of Vancouver and BC’s economic engine and tourism industry, attracting well over one hundred thousand people to the annual jazz festival and generating over $20 million in economic activity.

Actionable Tips for Nonprofit Fundraising: 

1. Consider Outsourced Supports: If you’re a small to mid-sized nonprofit struggling to find a full-time development director, fractional fundraising could give you access to senior-level expertise without breaking the bank. 
2. Set Realistic Expectations: Don’t expect to raise a million dollars overnight. Success in fundraising is about building momentum and balancing both short-term wins and long-term goals. 
3. Leverage the Expertise of a Fractional Fundraiser: Fractional fundraisers work with multiple organizations, which allows them to offer fresh insights and best practices from across the nonprofit sector. 

Resources and Links: 

• Connect with Maria
• Connect with Nina
• Coastal Jazz Website 

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Do donors realy know what you do and how you do it? Join us for an insightful conversation with Kathryn LeBlanc, a communications consultant specializing in social impact. Kathryn shares her expertise on overcoming common nonprofit messaging challenges, creating concise and emotionally resonant messages, and developing strategic communications plans.

Discover how to craft messaging that resonates with your audience, builds your nonprofit’s brand, and drives action. From crafting a one-liner to rolling out a full communications strategy, this episode is packed with actionable advice for nonprofits looking to enhance their communication efforts.

Nonprofit Marketing Strategy: Mastering Nonprofit Messaging – The Highlights: 

• Why concise messaging resonates better with donors and supporters. 
• How to identify and narrow your nonprofit's target audience. 
• Building your nonprofit's message guide and communication strategy. 
• Tips for operationalizing your messaging across teams. 
• How to bridge gaps between internal and external communications. 

 🎧 Listen to more episodes for actionable fundraising tips and insights on nonprofit leadership, nonprofit governance, productivity & tools, and donor engagement strategies that work! We're here to eliminate nonprofit burnout and boost your donations!

About Kathryn LeBlanc:

Kathryn founded LeBlanc (& co.) Communications, an agency that uses strategy, brand design, campaigns, and training to help social impact organizations fulfil their missions and drive social change. They serve a roster of local, national, and international clients that advance social good. Their client base includes nonprofits, philanthropy, labour, government, and mission-aligned businesses.

Actionable Tips for Clear Nonprofit Messaging: 

1. Create a Message Guide and Communication Strategy: These documents should be separate, clear, and shared consistently across your team. 
2. Focus on Building Internal Cohesion: A well-aligned team is better equipped to handle both day-to-day communications and unexpected crises. 
3. Develop a Crisis Communications Plan: Create a plan outlining how your organization will respond to incidents, emergencies, and crises. Assign roles, establish protocols, and train your team regularly to ensure a swift, unified response when needed. 

Resources and Links: 

• Kathryn LeBlanc's Communications Consulting Firm 
• Downloadable Communication Strategy Template 
• Connect with Maria 
• Connect with Kathryn 
• Watch this episode on YouTube. 

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Have you heard of the "Shift the South" report? Join Maria Rio and Carmen Randolph, CEO of the Women’s Foundation of the South, as they shed light on the critical funding challenges faced by nonprofits serving women and girls of color in the U.S. South. In this thought-provoking episode, Carmen discusses the disparities in philanthropic investment, the impact of systemic inequities, and actionable strategies to support nonprofits addressing these issues.

Highlights include insights into grantmaking trends, overcoming legal challenges, and how organizations can diversify funding to build resilience. Whether you're a donor, nonprofit leader, or advocate, this episode is packed with valuable lessons for driving equity and change.

Addressing Funding Challenges for Women of Color Nonprofits – The Highlights:

• The unique funding challenges faced by nonprofits led by women of color in the U.S. South.
• The intersection of systemic inequities like racism, patriarchy, and lack of prioritization for the South.
• Legal challenges nonprofits face following the repeal of affirmative action.
• Innovative strategies to diversify funding sources for resilience.
• Key findings from the upcoming "Shift the South" report.

 🎧 Listen to more episodes for actionable fundraising tips and insights on nonprofit leadership, nonprofit governance, productivity & tools, and donor engagement strategies that work! We're here to eliminate nonprofit burnout and boost your donations!

About Carmen Randolph:

Over the course of her 25-year career in philanthropy, Carmen has worked hard to successfully galvanize funders, donors, policymakers, and grassroots activists to forever change lives, systems, and communities for good. She is particularly passionate about building prosperity for women and girls of color and firmly believes in the ineffable power a sisterhood holds to support, nurture, and amplify one another – this is why she always makes a point of collaborating with other women in philanthropy to inspire and guide each other. She is presently a fellow in the Aspen Institute and the Neighborhood Funder’s Group Philanthropy Forward initiative, and was recently invited to join Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Membership.

Actionable Tips for Nonprofit Leaders:

1. Engage in Legal Preparedness: Nonprofits should conduct legal reviews of their operations and documents to prepare for potential lawsuits, especially those focused on racial equity. 
2. Proactively Educate Donors: Engage donors about the importance of continued support for marginalized communities and the potential challenges your organization may face due to shifting legal landscapes. 
3. Diversify Funding Streams: Look at your nonprofit's work through various lenses to attract funding from different sources. 

Resources and Links: 

• Women’s Foundation of the South Website 
• Shift the South Report 
• Connect with Maria 
• Connect with Carmen
• Watch this episode on YouTube.

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