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

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If you've been hearing the word "fractional" thrown around and nodding along like you totally know what it means, this episode is for you. Fractional work is one of the fastest-growing models in the nonprofit sector, and it's not just for fundraising anymore. From HR to finance to communications, fractional executives are stepping in to give small organizations access to high-level expertise they could never afford full-time. But there are a LOT of myths floating around about what fractional is and isn't, and this episode sets the record straight.

On this week's episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, host Maria Rio is joined by co-host Caitlin McBride. Together, they break down the fractional model, dispel common misconceptions, and make the case for why embracing fractional leadership could be one of the smartest moves small nonprofits can make right now.

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Fundraising fear is real and it's holding a lot of nonprofit leaders back from doing their best work. Whether it's the dread of being seen as pushy, the worry that donors don't want to hear from you, or the nagging feeling that you're just not "polished" enough, these limiting beliefs are more common than you think. The good news? They're also completely workable. This episode unpacks where fundraising fear actually comes from, why it makes total sense that so many EDs feel this way, and — more importantly — what you can do about it. You'll walk away with concrete strategies for shifting your mindset, showing up more authentically, and building the kinds of donor relationships that actually generate generosity. Spoiler: it has a lot less to do with PowerPoint decks than you'd think.

On this week's episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, Maria sits down with Vanessa Baker Rodriguez, a fundraising consultant and coach based in Northern California with a career-long dedication to the sector. Vanessa's work centers on helping nonprofit leaders fundraise with more ease, authenticity, and values alignment — and this conversation is packed with the kind of practical wisdom that executive directors and development staff at any stage can put to work right away.

• Connect with Vanessa: [email protected]
• Free gift: bravelyaligned.com/gift

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What if the storytelling practices you're using are actually harming the people you're trying to serve? Many nonprofits believe that sharing clients' most traumatic moments is the only way to raise funds, but what's the real cost of this approach? The way we tell stories has consequences far beyond the donation page, like re-traumatizing vulnerable community members, or conditioning donors to expect exploitation, to name a few.

On this week's episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, Maria sits down with Diana Farias Heinrich, CEO of Habrá Marketing and creator of the Equastory Framework. Diana shares how a storytelling mistake early in her career, one that put a domestic violence survivor at risk, set her on a mission to transform how nonprofits approach client stories. Together, they challenge the sector's donor-centric storytelling norms and explore what it means to truly center dignity, consent, and community in fundraising. If you've ever felt uncomfortable with how your organization tells stories, or if you're ready to build systems that honor all stakeholders, and not just donors, this conversation is for you.

Visit their website: www.habramarketing.com

Register for the Ethical Nonprofit Summit HERE. 
PS: Here is a code to save $15: FURTHERTOGETHER

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Getting a first meeting with a prospective donor can feel like one of the biggest hurdles in major gifts fundraising, but it doesn't have to. This episode breaks it all down in a way that's refreshingly practical and zero percent intimidating. You'll learn why warm introductions are worth every awkward board conversation, how to follow up without spiraling into anxiety about being "annoying," and why the best thing you can do in the meeting itself is ask great questions and actually listen to the answers. Real stories, real strategies, and a lot of reassurance.

On this week's episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, Maria is joined by Caitlin McBride, a Certified Fundraising Executive with over a decade of experience helping small nonprofits make fundraising feel less chaotic and more doable. Together, they walk nonprofit leaders through the full arc of the first donor meeting: from tracking down the right contact to leaving the call with a clear reason to follow up. If major gifts fundraising has ever felt out of reach for your organization, this one's for you.

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What if the program you've spent years perfecting could fund your nonprofit and serve exponentially more people... without you burning out trying to do it all yourself? Most executive directors don't realize that the SOPs, worksheets, and workflows living in their heads are actually valuable intellectual property that other nonprofits would pay to access.

On this week's episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, Maria sits down with Rebecca Britt, founder of Stable Moments, a mentorship program for foster and adopted youth now operating in over 40 locations across the United States. We're breaking down exactly how you can package your proven program model, license it to other organizations, and create a new revenue stream that keeps giving, all while expanding your mission's reach far beyond your local community. Nonprofit leaders tuning in will walk away with a concrete roadmap for assessing whether their program is ready to scale, how to structure a licensing model, and how to start approaching other organizations about adopting it.

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In this raw and hopeful conversation, you'll hear about the physical and emotional toll of nonprofit leadership and the intentional steps one ED took to not just recover, but to build an entire community dedicated to sector wellness. Laura Istead opens up about recognizing her own burnout, advocating for time off, and discovering the ways that she had normalized her own symptoms of stress. But this isn't just a cautionary tale. It's a blueprint for how nonprofit leaders can break free from the martyr mentality, find their people, and create the joy and connection that makes this work sustainable.

On this week's episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, Maria sits down with Laura Istead, Executive Director of Two Wheel View and founder of the Social Sector Club. Laura has spent 15 years in the nonprofit sector and 8 years in executive leadership, and she's learned some hard lessons about what it takes to survive and thrive in this work. Nonprofit leaders will walk away with practical strategies for building peer support networks, recognizing the signs of burnout before it's too late, and understanding why treating yourself with the same care you give your community is essential.

Connect with Laura on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraistead/

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What if the biggest challenge facing nonprofits isn't moving donors from $100 to $1,000 gifts, but getting people to make their first charitable donation ever? In this episode, we explore a critical gap in the nonprofit sector: getting people to move from non-donors to donors. While fundraisers are experts at cultivating existing donors, very few organizations are focused on helping people become donors in the first place. We dig into why teaching generosity matters, how to lower barriers to entry in philanthropy, and what role nonprofits should play in building a culture of giving that extends far beyond their own fundraising goals.

On this week's episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, Maria Rio sits down with John Bromley, founder and CEO of Charitable Impact, a donor-advised fund in Canada that's rethinking accessibility in philanthropy. John shares how he's teaching his own kids about charitable giving, how to build generosity muscles, and why the sector needs to ensure that there are always enough donors in the ecosystem. You'll will walk away with fresh perspectives on how to cultivate generosity as a learned behavior and practical ways to engage potential donors long before they make their first gift.

Connect with John:

• Charitable Impact's website: https://charitableimpact.com
• Social Media: @wearecharitable

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Nonprofit leaders are navigating an exceptionally difficult moment. Political uncertainty, financial uncertainty, the weight of leading through crisis, you name it. It's easy to feel isolated, numb, or like you're carrying it all alone. But the path ahead doesn't have to feel lonely. We're talking about finding your people and creating intentional spaces for joy, connection, and authentic dialogue.

On this week's episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, Maria sits down with Frank Velasquez Jr., founder of 4 Da Hood and the Ascending Leaders in Color leadership program. Frank shares practical strategies for accessing joy during challenging times, building meaningful peer networks, and using restorative circle practices to foster healthy conflict and deeper connection. Frank argues that healthy conflict, grounded in agreements, is essential for building trust, understanding, and authentic collaboration. This conversation offers a roadmap for leading with authenticity, vulnerability, and community.

Resources and Links:

• Connect with Frank: [email protected]
• Visit 4 Da Hood: www.4dahood.com

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Not every nonprofit mission comes with neat, quantifiable results. If your organization works in mental health, activism, research, or addiction recovery, you know that impact isn't always a tidy before-and-after story. But donors still want to understand the difference you're making... So how do you prove your impact when the work is complex, deeply personal, or still unfolding?

On this week's episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, hosts Maria Rio and Caitlin McBride tackle one of the biggest challenges small nonprofits face: demonstrating impact without relying solely on statistics. Maria and Caitlin share practical, low-cost strategies to communicate your value to donors, funders, and your community. From candid smartphone videos to emotionally resonant storytelling, you'll learn how to make your impact visible, even when it feels invisible.

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What do you do when a government shutdown threatens to leave 70% of the families you serve without food? For Growing Up Green Charter Schools in Queens, New York, the answer was clear: respond immediately, mobilize resources fast, and support their community without losing sight of their educational mission.

In this episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, Caitlin McBride sits down with Erin Acosta, Director of Family Engagement and Communications at Growing Up Green Charter Schools. Erin shares how her team packed over 1,000 bags of groceries in just one month, mobilized volunteers across four school buildings, and secured emergency funding, all while maintaining their core educational programs. This conversation offers a powerful blueprint for any nonprofit facing the question: "Is this mission drift, or is this what our community actually needs right now?"

Visit their website: www.gugcs.org

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