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

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Marketing doesn’t have to mean manipulation. But for many small nonprofits, common practices like donor recognition, emotional appeals, and urgency-driven fundraising can unintentionally cause harm. In this episode, Maria and anti-oppressive marketer Natalia Sanyal unpack how to shift your messaging and methods without compromising your values or your impact. 

Natalia works with human-first brands, helping for-profit and nonprofit organizations market more ethically. Here she shares her seven ethical marketing filters, reflects on her own missteps, and gives nonprofit leaders practical ways to rethink recognition, storytelling, and inclusion — especially in a world where perfectionism is no longer the standard. 

🎯 Ethical Marketing - 5 Key Takeaways: 

1. Ethical Marketing Starts with Consent and Agency

Marketing practices often bypass true consent whether it’s adding someone to a mailing list via a Zoom link or disguising a sales pitch as a webinar. Nonprofits must ensure people know what they’re signing up for. 

2. Language Matters—But So Does Context 

Using terms like "stakeholder" or "homeless" without thought can alienate the very communities you serve. But changing language is complicated. It won't be perfect, and that’s okay. Keep trying, explain your choices transparently, and leave space for feedback. 

3. Donor Recognition Can Reinforce Harmful Power Dynamics 

Celebrating donors, especially white donors, funding work for racialized communities, can reinforce white savior narratives.  

4. Filters Help but Capacity Still Matters 

Natalia outlines seven filters to guide ethical marketing: agency, accessibility, appropriation, exploitation, saviorism, current climate, and inclusivity. But she also acknowledges the reality of limited capacity: do what you can, iterate, and give yourself grace. 

5. Choosing Values Over Profit Can Still Work 

Whether prioritizing a BIPOC-majority program cohort or experimenting with donor recognition, Natalia emphasizes that values-aligned decisions may feel risky, but they can be your differentiator. Integrity can attract the right people. 

✅ 3 Actionable Tips for Ethical Marketing 

1. Run Every Campaign Through the Seven Filters 

Before and after you write a fundraising appeal or create a campaign, apply Natalia’s filters: agency, accessibility, appropriation, exploitation, current climate, saviorism, and inclusivity. You won’t catch everything, but you’ll catch more than if you didn’t. 

2. Shift Away from Public Donor Recognition 

Experiment with anonymous giving or shift recognition toward volunteers and community members. Educate donors on why this matters and invite them to participate in more ethical storytelling practices. 

3. Choose Imperfect Progress Over Inaction 

If you can’t do everything, do something. Don’t wait for the perfect DEI strategy or most inclusive language to get started. Opt for transparency, explain your evolving process, and build trust along the way. 

🎧 Listen for more insights on ethical marketing, inclusive language, and how to navigate harm reduction in your nonprofit communications. 

Resources and Links 

• Connect with our host, Maria Rio 
• Connect with our guest, Natalia Sanyal 
• Support our show. We are fully self-funded! 
• Watch this episode on YouTube 
• Need help with your fundraising? 

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Running a small nonprofit often means juggling strategy, people, programs, and inbox chaos, all while making what feels like a million decisions a day. If you’ve ever felt stuck between leading and just trying to keep up, this episode is for you. 

In this candid and insightful conversation, Maria chats with returning guest Veronica LaFemina about one of the most overlooked pain points in nonprofit life: how decisions are made, delegated, and communicated. From messy inboxes to that nagging feeling of "did I already assign this?"- Veronica offers both clarity and real tools to help leaders make better decisions, faster. 

🎯 Nonprofit Leadership -  5 Key Takeaways: 

1. Decision-Making is an Invisible Problem Until It’s Not 
Unlike line items like fundraising or program delivery, decision-making doesn’t get its own budget category. But when it’s broken, it shows up everywhere: delays, confusion, and burnout. 

2. Know Your Decision-Making Style
Veronica explains that leaders need to be able to articulate how they make decisions: do you need data or gut instinct? Do you want solutions or options? Being clear on this helps your team help you. 

3. Repeatable Decisions Need Repeatable Systems 
Create simple processes for recurring decisions; who owns them, what criteria they use, and how often they happen. This takes unnecessary urgency off the table and empowers your staff. 

4. Delegation Requires Letting Go (and Being Okay with Imperfection) 
One of Veronica’s biggest shifts came when she stopped reviewing every piece of content and let her directors support each other. Things moved faster, and the team grew stronger. 

5. Change Starts with You, Not Your Team 
If you want your organization to shift how it works, you have to model it. From mindset to systems to communication, effective change management begins at the top. 

🎧 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! 

✅ 3 Actionable Tips for Small Nonprofit Leaders: 

1. Map Out Recurring Decisions
Spend 30 minutes listing common decisions you make weekly or monthly. Identify who should own each one and draft a quick process for how those decisions get made and communicated. 

2. Pick One Project Management System and Stick to It 
Whether it’s Asana, Trello, or a shared Google Sheet, choose a system to track delegated tasks. This reduces “Did I send this?” stress and makes work more transparent across your team. 

3. Practice the “Three-Month Test” for New Systems 
When rolling out a new decision-making or delegation process, give it 3 months before judging. Let your team practice. Check in. Adjust. Real change takes space to land. 

Resources and Links 

• Connect with our host, Maria Rio 
• Connect with our guest, Veronica LaFemina: LinkedIn & Website 
• Support our show. We are fully self-funded! 
• Watch this episode on YouTube 
• Need help with your fundraising? 
• Liked this episode? Have an idea? Send us a text HERE :)

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Building a Fundraising Board 

Fundraising isn’t about money; it’s about PEOPLE. And some of your most powerful people? Your board. 

In this episode, we dive into the challenges small nonprofits face when trying to activate their boards around fundraising. From fear of asking to a total misunderstanding of what fundraising even is, we’re breaking down the myths, sharing real-world tactics, and giving you the mindset shifts that actually work. 

📌 Don’t forget: We’ve included a Board Fundraising Menu in the show notes with a full list of task ideas you can assign based on your org’s real needs. Plus, we’re also sharing a companion script guide to help your board get even more confident and consistent in their outreach. 

🔑 Getting Your Board to Fundraise - 5 Key Takeaways 

• Fundraising ≠ Begging 
  The fear that fundraising is "icky" or akin to begging is one of the biggest blockers. Reframing it as an invitation into community shifts everything. 
• Boards Don't Understand Fundraising—Because No One Taught Them
  Most board members have never been trained. They’re not unmotivated—they’re just unclear on what fundraising actually involves. 
• Matchmaking, Not Sales
  Great fundraising is about alignment, not persuasion. If the mission and the person don’t align, that’s okay—you’re just finding the right match. 
• Board Members' Personal Stories Are Their Superpower
  A board member sharing why they care hits harder than any brochure. Storytelling > strategy. 
• Accountability = Clarity + Relationship
  Board engagement skyrockets when expectations are clear, roles are specific, and there's a personal connection—like pairing with a staff member. 

🎧 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! 

✅ 3 Actionable Tips for Small Nonprofits 

1. Assign by Name, Not Role
   “The board” doesn’t do anything. Sam, Deirdre, and James do. Assign clear names to tasks and follow up. It makes a BIG difference. 
2. Use the 1-30-10-7 Pitch Practice 
   Have board members practice describing the org in 1 minute, 30 seconds, 10 seconds, and finally 7 seconds. That short pitch becomes their go-to confidence builder. 
3. Build In Buddy Accountability 
   Pair each board member with a development staffer. It keeps them engaged, informed, and supported and stops them from sending those “should we ask Oprah?” emails to your ED. 

Resources and Links 

• Connect with our host, Maria Rio 
• Connect with our cohost, Caitlin McBride 
• Support our show. We are fully self-funded! 
• Board fundraising menu 
• Board fundraising scripts 
• Watch this episode on YouTube 
• Need help with your f

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. 

If you want to learn how my company helps nonprofits create a fundraising plan, this link will explain: https://www.gofurthertogether.ca/discoverycall 

How to create a GREAT fundraising strategy for your small nonprofit 

Every thriving nonprofit starts with a plan, not a guess. In this episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, we break down how a thoughtful, strategic fundraising plan can set your organization up for sustainable growth, smarter decisions, and way less chaos. 

You’ll get a practical overview of what goes into a successful plan, how to make it work for your team (no matter the size), and why it’s the single best tool to help you stop reacting and start leading. 

This episode is hosted by Maria Rio, a seasoned fundraising expert with over a decade of experience helping nonprofits grow their impact through clear strategy and effective implementation. 

Creating a fundraising plan for your nonprofit: 5 key takeaways 

1. A great plan is more than a calendar of events. 
   A strong fundraising plan isn’t a to-do list; it’s your mission’s compass. It links your big goals to everyday actions and keeps everyone pointed in the same direction. 
2. Start with what you know. 
   Use your current data (donor history, revenue sources, and engagement patterns) as a foundation. You can’t look ahead if you don’t know where you’re starting from. 
3. Short-term wins + long-term vision = sustainability.
   A good plan should help you meet today’s goals and build the systems you need for future growth. 
4. Your plan helps you say no. 
   When everything feels urgent, it’s easy to chase shiny objects. But a plan gives you permission to decline distractions and stay focused on what really matters. 
5. Real growth comes from realistic goals. 
   Forget plucked-from-thin-air numbers. Use benchmarks and historical trends to set fundraising targets you can actually achieve, and build momentum from there. 

🎧 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! 

✅ 3 Actionable Tips for fundraising strategy creation 

1. Use a SWOT analysis to pick the right goals. 
   Interview 6–12 people inside and outside your team. Talk about what’s working, what’s not, and what’s next. It’s a great way to find gaps and inspire new direction. 
2. Turn your plan into a monthly workback schedule. 
   Break goals into tasks, assign them, and set deadlines. A plan only works if it actually gets used (and revisited) by your team. 
3. Make space for regular updates. 
   Revisit your plan quarterly or monthly. It should evolve as your organization grows, and the regular check-ins will keep it fresh and relevant. 

Resources and Links 

• Connect with our host, Maria Rio 
• Support our show. We are fully self-funded! 
• Watch this episode on YouTube 
• Need help with your fundraising? 
• Liked this episode? Have an idea? Send u

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Wondering how to make millions for your nonprofit? Join us for an inspiring conversation with Quilen Blackwell, co-founder of Chicago Eco House and Southside Blooms, as he shares how sustainability and social enterprise can transform communities. Quilen discusses his journey from starting with zero funds to running a $2 million nonprofit.
Learn how his organization uses vacant lots to create solar-powered flower farms that employ at-risk youth, creating a self-sustaining business model that brings wealth and resilience to underserved communities.
This episode is packed with insights into scaling a nonprofit, the power of human resources, and the critical lessons of running a mission-driven social enterprise.

Scaling Nonprofits & Building Economic Resilience – The Highlights: 

• How to transform vacant lots into thriving social enterprises. 
• Building sustainable business models for nonprofit organizations. 
• Overcoming challenges in human resources and culture building. 
• How Southside Blooms converts customers into donors 
• Leveraging social enterprise to create economic resilience. 
• Lessons learned from scaling a nonprofit from $0 to $2M. 

 🎧 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 Quilen Blackwell:
The Chicago Eco House, founded in 2014 by Quilen Blackwell, uses sustainability to combat poverty in Chicago’s inner city. Inspired by his family’s history and his experiences in Englewood, Quilen and his wife, Hannah, invested their own money to establish a headquarters and launch an off-grid flower farm in 2017. The initiative quickly grew, creating jobs and economic opportunities. Today, the organization operates multiple farms in Chicago and Detroit, along with Southside Blooms, an in-house flower shop, empowering communities through urban agriculture.

Rosurces and Links: 

• Connect with Maria 
• Connect with Quilen: Personal Instagram, Southside Blooms, Chicago Eco House 
• Chicago Eco House: Website 
• Southside Blooms: Website 
• Watch this episode on YouTube, subscribe and leave us a review!

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Does making your nonprofit feel inclusive seem impossible? Today,  we're getting real about diversity, equity, and inclusion in our sector. Join host Maria Rio and Michelle Okere, an expert in nonprofit equity, diversity, and inclusion, as they discuss how communication and belonging play a crucial role in nonprofit success.

Michelle shares her lived experience and practical strategies for embedding equity into organizational strategy and nonprofit governance. Learn how to build an inclusive culture, foster meaningful relationships, and empower underrepresented voices in your nonprofit.

DEI for Small Nonprofits – The Highlights:

• The importance of communication in fostering inclusion and belonging.
• How to build trust and break down barriers in your nonprofit.
• The role of Indigenous representation in nonprofit leadership and governance.
• Creating meaningful land acknowledgments and EDI initiatives.
• Strategies to engage staff in nonprofit strategic planning and organizational growth.

🎧 Listen to more episodes for actionable fundraising tips and insights on nonprofit leadership, nonprofit governance, donor engagement, productivity & tools, and nonprofit storytelling strategies!

About Michelle Okere:

In her consulting practice, Michelle has had the opportunity to work with organizations in cultivating inclusive workplaces that foster innovation, collaboration, and growth. Throughout her career, she's taken on various fulfilling roles, including serving as the former CEO of the Compassion House Foundation and co-founding the REET Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing equity and diversity in commercial real estate. 

Links and Resources:  

• Michelle Okere (Linkedin): https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-okere/
• Michelle Okere (Twitter): @michelle0kere
• Okere & Associates (Website): https://www.okereandassociates.com/
• Compassion House Foundation: https://compassionhouse.org/
• Sustainable Style Company: https://sustainablestylecompany.com/
• Connect with Maria on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/mariario/
• Support the show: https://www.buzzsprout.com/208666/supporters/new
• Watch this episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/_8Av-EH2nY4 

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How about turning your LinkedIn profile into a powerful fundraising tool? Join Maria Rio and LinkedIn expert, Michelle Benson, as they share actionable strategies for nonprofits to build their digital presence and attract funders via LinkedIn. In this episode, Michelle discusses how to create content that actually enagges donors and funders as well as how to use the platform for donor prospecting and stewardship.

Learn how to connect with funders, enhance your nonprofit’s visibility, and turn LinkedIn into a powerful tool for achieving your fundraising goals.

Fundraising on LinkedIn – The Highlights:

• How to optimize your LinkedIn profile to attract funders and partners.
• Why LinkedIn is the ideal platform for donor prospecting and relationship building.
• How to spark conversations that lead to direct messages from funders.
• Tips for creating engaging LinkedIn content that drives donor engagement.
• How to use LinkedIn’s algorithm to enhance your nonprofit’s visibility and impact.

🎧 Listen to more episodes for actionable fundraising tips and insights on nonprofit leadership, nonprofit governance, donor engagement, productivity & tools, and nonprofit storytelling strategies!

About Michelle Benson:

Michelle helps charity leaders and senior fundraisers use LinkedIn to fundraise – especially high value partnerships that you cannot reach off-line. She shows fundraisers and CEOs how to connect and start a relationship on-line and take that off-line, so you can cultivate the people you need to reach to an ask in a GDPR and human friendly way.

Links and Resources:  

• Connect with Michelle Benson on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-benson-creates-digital-pipelines/
• Check out the Website: https://www.cultureofphilanthropy.co/ 
• Connect with Maria on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/mariario/
• Support the show: https://www.buzzsprout.com/208666/supporters/new
• Watch this episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/krjZ871CUoo 

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Liked this episode? Have an idea? Send us a text HERE :)  

Subscribe for more episodes on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. 

Mandatory office returns are back but are they actually helping us work better? In today's episode, we get real about task masking, quiet quitting, and the push-pull tension around remote work that every fundraiser and nonprofit leader is feeling right now. 

For many, being back at your desk doesn't mean you're actually getting more done; it might just mean you're playing the part. We dive into why forcing a return to office can create resentment, reduce productivity, and fuel resistance tactics like task masking. More importantly, we explore how nonprofits can shift to human-first workplace policies that actually make sense. 

Joining Maria today is Caitlin McBride, an experienced nonprofit leader who has been on both sides of this conversation. She's been remote, she's been hybrid, and she’s seen firsthand how rigid office policies can miss the mark. Together, we unpack the nuance around what makes for a healthy, productive work environment in our sector. 

Remote Working in Nonprofits – The Highlights 

1️⃣ Task Masking is Real, and it’s Resistance, Not Laziness 
Task masking happens when employees "act busy" just to appear productive in office environments. It’s a way to push back against rigid mandates and surveillance-driven leadership. 

2️⃣ Remote Work Is Proven. Stop Pretending It Doesn’t Work 
During the pandemic, we saw remote work boost wellbeing, widen talent pools, and help working parents and marginalized folks thrive. Ignoring this is ignoring evidence. 

3️⃣ Not All Roles Need the Same Work Setup 
While fundraisers may not need to be desk-bound, early-career employees or socially isolated team members may benefit from face-to-face connection. Flexibility is key. 

4️⃣ Micromanagement + Sunk Cost = Forcing Office Returns 
Some leaders push for office time due to control issues or because they’re stuck in long-term leases. Neither is a good enough reason to disrupt staff lives. 

5️⃣ True Productivity Should Be Measured by Outcomes, Not Presence 
Warming a seat is not the same as delivering impact. Nonprofits need to measure real outcomes, not how often people walk past a manager's door. 

🎧 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! 

Resources and Links 

Connect with our host, Maria Rio 

Connect with our cohost, Caitlin McBride 

Support our show. We are fully self-funded! 

Watch this episode on YouTube 

Need help with your fundraising? 

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, Maria sits down with major gifts expert, Emma Lewzey, to bust myths, shift mindsets, and bring some much-needed clarity (and courage!) to one of fundraising’s most misunderstood areas. Whether you’re in a small shop or a national organization, this episode will remind you: you don’t need to be perfect to build authentic relationships; you just need to be curious, strategic, and a little bit brave. 

Major Gift Fundraising – The Highlights: 

• Getting over the fear of asking for major gifts is about proportion: It’s not about the amount, it’s about alignment and impact. 
• Your value as a nonprofit is real and tangible: You’re not “begging" - you’re offering a partnership that enables the donor to live out their values. 
• Authenticity builds trust: Donors respond to transparency, not perfection. 
• Fear and perfectionism are the biggest roadblocks: Don’t wait for the perfect case for support or phone script - start with what you have. 
• Small shops have big advantages in major gifts: Easier to build personal relationships and offer meaningful donor impact. 

🎧 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 Emma Lewzey: 

Emma Lewzey is an award-winning fundraiser with 25 years of nonprofit leadership experience. She launched her career in major gift fundraising in 2002, when she managed her first capital campaign for Canada’s largest 2SLGBTQ+ Community Centre. Emma has frontline fundraising experience across every size and type of nonprofit – including healthcare, arts, education, and human services - and is a veteran of campaigns from $5M to over $200M. She’s the founder and CEO at Blue Sky Philanthropy, where she works with fundraising teams to help them develop the skills, systems and strategies they need to raise more major gifts. 

Actionable Tips for Major Gift Fundraising:
➜ Reframe the ask: Believe you’re offering donors a meaningful way to live out their values.
➜ Lead the conversation: Enter donor meetings as a guide, not a guest. Prepare thoughtful questions that help them reflect on their values, goals, and motivations.
➜ Ditch the perfectionism: Use what you have and be transparent. If something’s missing (like impact data), tell the donor why and what support would help fix it.
➜ Stop labeling donors: Don’t assume someone’s capacity based on their first gift. A $50 donor could be a future $250K bequest if you engage them.
➜ Practice strategic curiosity: Use conversations to uncover alignment, not to “sell” a solution. 

Resources: 

• Blue Sky Philanthropy Website 
• Free Guide: Fill Your Fundraising Pipeline 

Connect with Us: 

• Maria Rio – Connect on LinkedIn 
• Emma Lewzey – Connect on LinkedIn 

Support the Podcast: 

Love these conversations? Support the podcast and help us continue to bring you actionable nonprofit insights by donating here. 

Don’t forget to subscribe to The Small Nonprofit Podcast for email updates here! 

Support the show

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In this episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, Maria unpacks the nonprofit power dynamic we don’t talk about enough: what to do when you need to move things forward, but your Executive Director or board just… won’t. 

Whether you're tired of chasing down information, being given confusing direction, or trying to navigate an ineffective board, this episode is your tactical guide to managing up. Maria offers no-fluff strategies to help you communicate clearly, influence with integrity, and protect your time and energy, all while getting things DONE. 

Nonprofit leadership: Managing your manager – The Highlights: 

• Managing up ≠ manipulation: It’s not about playing politics—it’s about making sure your work and mission don’t get derailed by dysfunction or indecision. 
• Your ED is overwhelmed—help them help you: Understand their priorities and offer solutions, not problems. Frame your asks around impact, not effort. 
• Control the narrative: Don’t just ask for tools or decisions—explain how they drive results. Example: “Here’s what this CRM enables us to do.” 
• Find your champions: Not all board members or leaders are equal. Identify and amplify your allies to influence change from within. 
• Know when to push, adapt, or leave: These tools work best with leaders who are collaborative. If your ED or board is toxic, no amount of strategy will fix the culture alone. 

🎧 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 Rio: 

Maria Rio is the CEO and founder of Further Together, a Fractional Fundraising consulting firm she launched in January 2023, and the host of The Small Nonprofit Podcast. As a refugee who arrived in Canada at an early age, Maria’s personal experience with charitable services fueled her passion for nonprofit work. An advocate for Community-Centric Fundraising, Maria uses her lived experience to push for innovative, equity-driven approaches in the nonprofit sector. 

Actionable Tips to Manage Up in Nonprofit Leadership:
➜ Understand their priorities: Ask what’s stressing them out or slowing things down and align your work with their key goals.
➜ Bring solutions, not problems: Don’t just raise issues, offer fixes or options you actually want.
➜ Frame asks around impact: Show how your request supports bigger outcomes for the organization.
➜ Give upward feedback thoughtfully: Ask “Can I offer some feedback?” 

➜ Hold your boundaries: Say “no” to unreasonable asks (e.g., working weekends) and offer sustainable alternatives like saying “We need X support to meet this deadline.” 

Resources: 

Connect with Us: 

• Maria Rio – Connect on LinkedIn 
• Caitlin McBride – Connect on LinkedIn 

Support the Podcast: 

Love these conversations? Support the podcast and help us continue to bring you actionable nonprofit insights by donating here. 

Don’t forget to subscribe to The Small Nonprofit Podcast for email updates here! 

Watch this episode on Youtube. 

Coming Next Week: 

If you've ever wondered how to actually land major gifts without chasing donors or selling your soul, you won’t want to miss next week’s episode. I’m sit

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