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? 

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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

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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 wondere

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Despite being a sector dominated by women, nonprofit leadership remains disproportionately male. In this episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, Maria Rio sits down with Caitlin McBride to unpack the gender gap at the top. 

They dig into everything from the “motherhood penalty” vs. the “fatherhood bonus,” to sneaky internalized biases and straight-up structural BS. Just because our sector talks about equity, doesn’t mean we're actually living it. 

Whether you’re climbing the ladder, job hunting, or just trying to survive nonprofit life as a woman or gender-diverse human, this episode will leave you fired up, inspired, and feeling a little less alone. 

Nonprofit Leadership & Gender Equity – The Highlights: 

• Women are the backbone of the nonprofit workforce - but still left out of leadership: Despite making up 80% of the sector, women hold less than half of executive roles - and even fewer in larger organizations. 
• The world treats women’s time as infinite and men’s as precious: Women are expected to “figure it out” at work and home: juggling unpaid labor, emotional caretaking, and their careers without complaint. 
• Women are underpaid and undervalued:  Orgs justify low salaries by pointing to women’s partners’ incomes, reinforcing harmful assumptions. 
• Green flags to look out for: From tampon access in bathrooms to child-friendly meeting times, true inclusion is in the details. 
• Does the org walk their equity talk? Representation alone isn’t enough if power dynamics remain unchanged. 

🎧 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 Caitlin McBride and Maria Rio: 

Caitlin is a Certified Fund-Raising Executive with over a decade of experience across large nonprofits in the UK and grassroots charities in Canada. She is known for building authentic, values-driven donor relationships and developing sustainable systems that deepen the donor experience. A published writer with a post-graduate diploma in Professional Communications, Caitlin also serves as vice-chair of the board at New Westminster Family Place in British Columbia. 

Maria Rio is the CEO and founder of Further Together, a Fractional Fundraising consulting firm she launched in January 2023. 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 for building gender equity in nonprofit leadership:
➜ Audit your board and leadership team. Who’s excluded? Why?
➜ Review your parental leave, flexibility, and caregiving policies.
➜ Make mentorship visible and accessible.
➜ Challenge assumptions about who “should” lead, what leadership looks like, and whose time we value.
➜ If you’re a woman applying for a new role, negotiate like a man. You’re worth it. 

Resources: 

• Board of director positions filled by designated groups 
• Board So

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

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Fundraising isn’t just about securing donations—it’s about embedding justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, and reconciliation into every aspect of the process. In this episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, Maria sits down with Huda Al-Saedy, Director of Philanthropy at Ecojustice, to explore how nonprofits can align their fundraising practices with their core values. 

From redefining policies to centering Indigenous voices, Huda shares how Ecojustice has built authentic donor relationships, empowered its team, and addressed systemic inequities. Whether you’re a nonprofit leader or a fundraiser looking to create meaningful change, this conversation will help you rethink how you approach philanthropy with an equity-driven mindset. 

Nonprofit Inclusive and Indigenized Philanthropy – The Highlights: 

• Building a diverse and inclusive team: Learn how Ecojustice attracts and retains diverse staff through inclusive hiring practices and equitable workplace policies. 
• Redefining donor engagement: Discover how to have honest conversations with donors about Indigenous reconciliation and systemic inequities. 
• Shifting the narrative: How Ecojustice positions donors as partners and highlights Indigenous and marginalized communities as leaders in environmental justice. 
• Supportive philanthropy: Ecojustice’s approach to sharing resources, supporting smaller organizations, and promoting equitable funding. 
• Policy in action: Why they introduced a land back policy and how it’s reshaping their approach to accepting gifts of land. 

🎧 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 Huda Al-Saedy 

Huda is a purposeful environmentalist, non-profit leader, and fundraiser. With justice serving as her core value and a profound passion for driving change, her nonprofit career began 20 years ago where she fervently campaigned to eradicate child poverty in the UK. It was here that she first witnessed the stark reality: marginalized communities, shackled by socioeconomic disparity, are disproportionately impacted by poor air and water quality. Venturing further, she then worked in the Middle East supporting refugees displaced by wars driven by the global obsession with oil and gas, witnessing firsthand the intricate web of ecological devastation it spins across continents. 

Connect with Us: 

• Maria Rio – Connect on LinkedIn 
• Ecojustice – Learn More 
• Huda Al-Saedy – 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: 

P.S. Join us next week as we dive into the gender divide in nonprofit leadership — why it persists, how it impacts organizations, and what we can do to create more equitable leadership opportunities. 

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

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Nonprofit fundraising is more than just making the ask. It’s about providing value, building relationships, and using data to drive smart decisions. In this episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, Maria shares the top lessons she’s learned as a consultant that every nonprofit fundraiser can apply. 

Whether you’re managing a small shop or leading a larger development team, this conversation will help you rethink your approach to donor relationships, automation, and nonprofit data management. 

3 Nonprofit Fundraising Lessons I Learned from Consulting – The Highlights: 

• Providing Value First: Learn why offering insights and building trust before making an ask leads to stronger donor relationships. 
• Automating for Efficiency: Discover how automation can streamline fundraising tasks, freeing up time for meaningful connections. 
• Data-Driven Fundraising: Understand why clean, accurate data is essential for effective donor retention and decision-making. 
• Lead Generation Strategies: Find out how providing value upfront with resources like fundraising audits can engage new donors. 
• Balancing Personalization: Learn how to personalize donor outreach without overwhelming your team. 

🎧 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! 

Resources: 

Burnout Check Quiz 

Actionable Tips for Nonprofit Fundraisers: 
➜ Create a lead generator: Offer valuable resources, like free fundraising audits or reports, to engage potential donors.
➜ Automate your follow-ups: Set up automated email sequences for donor retention, thank-you messages, and impact updates.
➜ Perform regular data audits: Review your donor database quarterly to remove duplicates, correct errors, and track the right metrics.
➜ Segment and personalize: Use clean data to segment your donors and send relevant, personalized communications.
➜ Track your impact: Use dashboards and reports to monitor fundraising progress and adjust your strategy as needed. 

Connect with Us: 

• Maria Rio – Connect on LinkedIn 
• Further Together – Visit the Website 

Support the Podcast: 

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

Watch this episode on Youtube. 

Coming Next Week: 

P.S. Join us next week as we chat with Maria about how leading with value can transform your nonprofit’s impact and build stronger connections with your community! 

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

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Hiring in the nonprofit sector is harder than ever in 2025. With stagnant salaries, limited remote work options, and increased competition for talent, many organizations are struggling to fill positions and retain staff. In this episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, Maria and Caitlin explore the key challenges nonprofits are facing and share actionable strategies to help you build a strong and motivated team. 

They cover why salary transparency is essential, how to support your employees beyond pay, and ways to streamline your hiring process to avoid common pitfalls. If you’re struggling with hiring or retention, this episode is a must-listen! 

Why Is Hiring So Tough in 2025? – Episode Highlights: 

• Why pay gaps and lack of transparency are pushing talent away. 
• Why reducing remote options is a major dealbreaker for candidates. 
• Understanding why fundraisers are leaving for higher pay and better support. 
• How a long, disorganized hiring process can cost you top talent. 
• From salary transparency to fractional hires, explore new ways to hire and retain staff. 

🎧 Listen to more episodes for actionable insights on nonprofit leadership, fundraising strategies, and ways to build a stronger team. Let’s tackle burnout and find sustainable solutions for your nonprofit. 

Actionable Tips for Nonprofits Struggling to Hire:
➜ Post salary ranges: Transparent salaries are needed for equity and candidate trust.
➜ Offer competitive benefits: Flexibility, additional PTO, wellness perks, and professional development opportunities can make up for limited budgets.
➜ Speed up your hiring process: The longer you take, the more likely candidates will accept another offer. Stay organized and communicative.
➜ Retain before you replace: Conduct “stay interviews” to learn what your current staff need before they consider leaving.
➜ Think beyond full-time hires: Consider fractional or interim leadership roles, outsourcing, or internal promotions to fill gaps quickly. 

Connect with Us: 

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

Support the Podcast: 

Love the podcast? 

• Support these conversations by becoming a member here.  
• Subscribe for email updates here!  
• Watch this episode on YouTube. 

Coming next week: 

P.S. Join us next week to learn how leading with value can boost your nonprofit’s impact and strengthen community connections! 

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

Support the show