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In this episode, we delve into the critical importance of aligning your nonprofit's actions with its core values. We're joined by Hoang Murphy, CEO of People Serving People, who brings a wealth of experience from his journey as a teacher, a Foster, and a leader in the nonprofit sector. Hoang shares his expertise on creating impactful solutions for those affected by inequality and emphasizes the role of lived experiences in decision-making processes.

Episode Highlights:

• Identifying Core Values: Hoang guides us through the process of identifying the fundamental values that drive your nonprofit. He stresses the importance of narrowing down to essential values to establish a solid foundation for your organization's mission and actions.
• Translating Values into Action: Discover how to move beyond merely talking about values to actively incorporating them into your organization's operations. Hoang shares strategies for engaging your team and the communities you serve, ensuring their voices are heard and valued.
• Cultivating a Committed Team: Learn how to integrate your nonprofit's values into your hiring process. Hoang discusses the significance of real-life experience and cultural fit over traditional qualifications, highlighting the role of shared values in staff retention and satisfaction.
• Fostering Genuine Funder Relationships: Hoang emphasizes the importance of building authentic relationships with funders who truly understand and support your mission. He shares his approach to fundraising that has consistently helped double their budget year after year.

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Watch this episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/aJ8-uNCxLvY 

Links and Resources:  

• Hoang Murphy (LinkedIn): linkedin.com/in/hoangmurphy 
• Hoang Murphy (Facebook): https://www.facebook.com/hrcapist/ 
• Hoang Murphy (Email): [email protected]  
• Connect with Maria on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/mariario/

Support the show: https://www.buzzsprout.com/208666/supporters/new

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The nonprofit-industrial complex - are we stuck?

In this episode, we delve into the intricate - and evolving - world of ethical fundraising within the nonprofit sector, featuring insights from Marie-France Roche, the Director of Community Engagement and Major Gifts at TNG Community Services. We discuss the challenges and opportunities in adopting Community-Centric Fundraising.

Key Takeaways:

• Navigating Power Dynamics: Marie-France shares her perspective on the influence of power and privilege within nonprofit organizations and their potential to drive systemic change. We explore strategies for utilizing this power ethically to foster meaningful societal progress.
• Challenges for White Fundraisers: Addressing the unique challenges faced by white fundraisers in predominantly white spaces, Marie-France reflects on her experiences and the importance of supporting diverse voices within the nonprofit sector.
• Allyship in Action: Learn how to be an effective ally within your organization, advocating for equity and justice, even when you haven't personally faced the injustices being addressed.
• Innovative Fundraising Strategies: Marie-France discusses her journey in implementing innovative, equitable fundraising practices aligned with Community-Centric Fundraising (CCF) principles, highlighting the practical aspects of such initiatives in dynamic nonprofit environments.
• Community First Approach: The episode concludes with insights on the transformative impact of prioritizing community needs over organizational goals, emphasizing the value of building lasting relationships with donors committed to justice.

Don’t forget to become a supporter of our show!

Watch this episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/YsndeUvRwdI 

Links and Resources:  

• Marie-France Roche (LinkedIn): linkedin.com/in/marie-france-roche 
• Connect with Maria on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/mariario/
• Support the show: https://www.buzzsprout.com/208666/supporters/new

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Are you leaving the 'dirty work' to others? It's time for leader to embrace the saying, "no task is too small!" In this episode, we'll delve into the art of leading by example, fostering a culture of collaboration, and the transformative power of saying "yes and" to opportunities.

Today, I'm thrilled to welcome Lanrick Bennett to The Small Nonprofit. Lanrick is not only the executive director of Charlie’s Free Wheels, a nonprofit teaching young people leadership through bicycles, but also Toronto's first bicycle mayor, a comedian, and a champion of community engagement. Our conversation promises to be an insightful journey into what it means to be a hands-on leader who isn't afraid to get their hands dirty – quite literally!

Key Episode Highlights: 

• Leading by Example: Lanrick emphasizes the value of leadership that doesn't shy away from any task. He's a firm believer that to inspire your team and serve your community, you need to be willing to dive into every aspect of your organization's work, including the grunt work. It's about truly showing that no role is too small and that every task is crucial to your mission.
• Saying "Yes And" to Opportunities: Drawing from his days in improvisational comedy, Lanrick stresses the power of being open to possibilities and building upon them rather than dismissing them. This mindset helps fuel creativity and innovation within an organization, leading to growth and new ways to tackle challenges.
• Collaboration over Competition: In the nonprofit sector, it’s easy to slip into siloed efforts, but Lanrick's vision is one of interconnected collaboration. By embracing partnerships and sharing resources, small nonprofits can amplify their impact without stepping on each other's toes.
• Vulnerability in Leadership: Authenticity and humility in leadership can resonate throughout an entire organization. Lanrick shares his personal journey, including both successes and setbacks, showing that it's not about being infallible, but about being relatable and transformative.

Don’t forget to become a supporter of our show!

Watch this episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/P9LqhfPMV6c 

Links and Resources:  

• Connect with Lanrick Bennett on Twitter: https://twitter.com/LanrickBennett
• Learn more about Charlie’s FreeWheels: https://www.charliesfreewheels.ca/
• Email Lanrick: [email protected] | [email protected]
• Connect with Maria on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/mariario/

Support the show: https://www.buzzsprout.com/208666/supporters/new

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Is your nonprofit aligned with your values or is it perpetuating harm? How does the culture within our organizations shape our effectiveness and well-being?In today's episode, we're diving into the realities many of us face in the nonprofit sector. From acknowledging ethical dilemmas in our work practices to recognizing our alignment (or misalignment) with organizational values, we discuss  the complexities of working for a cause.

Sheetal Puri, our guest today, has dedicated her career  to non-profit fundraising, marketing and communications for organizations globally. Having raised hundreds of millions for multiple organizations over the past 15 years, Sheetal’s commitment to the sector has given her the insight to identify areas in present day fundraising models that perpetuate colonial modes of power and prevent the ability to practice and implement our core values and missions. She is a strong advocate for community-centric approaches to fundraising that prioritize the return of power and agency to those who have experienced disempowerment. 

Key Highlights:

• Finding Your Value Alignment: There are immense benefits of working in a vision-aligned environment. It's about empathy, understanding, and the shared commitment to our mission – but what happens when there’s a disconnect?
• Overcoming Power Dynamics: Power dynamics often muddy the waters of transparency and authentic connection within a team. Maria discusses how she has transitioned from withholding information to embracing openness when team members raise complaints or concerns.
• The Courage to Speak Up: The importance of voicing our concerns within the sector cannot be understated; that might mean finding allyship, or even considering something as bold as unionizing. It’s crucial that we create an atmosphere where open conversation is not just allowed, but encouraged.
• Leadership's Responsibility: Those in leadership roles carry the responsibility of aligning an organization's actions with its stated values. This includes implementing policies and fostering environments that empower trust and autonomy among employees.
• Advocacy and Allyship:  A significant segment of our discussion revolves around the roles of fundraisers, the privilege they hold, and the impact they can make in advocating for organizational changes—especially regarding racial equity and diversity issues. 

Don’t forget to become a supporter of our show!

Links and Resources:  

• Connect with Sheetal on LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/sheetalpersaud
• Connect with Maria on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/mariario/
• Support the show: https://www.buzzsprout.com/208666/supporters/new

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In this episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, Maria chats with Matt Diamante, founder of Hey Tony, a digital marketing agency specializing in SEO, social media, and online advertising. They dive into practical ways nonprofits can improve their digital presence, implement effective marketing funnels, rank higher in search results, and increase conversions. Matt shares actionable tips on how nonprofits can make the most of their websites, email lists, and social platforms to attract and retain donors. 

Key Topics Covered: 

• What is SEO and why it matters for nonprofits 
• Authenticity in digital communication 
• Maximizing your email list 
• Leveraging peer support and communities 

Quotable Quotes: 

• “Show up every day. Over time, you’ll become known as the go-to organization in your space.”  – Matt  

Actionable Tips: 

➜ Start small with funnels: Focus on one key action like collecting email addresses before scaling up to complex strategies. 

➜ Provide value first: Share free resources or tools to build trust and keep your audience engaged. 

➜ Consistency is key: Post regularly on social media and send frequent, purpose-driven emails. 

Resources Mentioned: 

• Hey Tony Website 
• Free SEO Course by Matt Diamante 
• Join Matt’s Community: Hey Tony Insiders 

Connect with Us: 

• Connect with Maria Rio 
• Connect with Matt on Instagram/Tiktok: @heytony.agency / @heytonyagency 

Subscribe and Review: 

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. Watch this episode on YouTube. 

Support the Podcast: 

Support these conversations by donating here. 

Coming Next Week: 

We are bringing back some banger episodes! We will be re-sharing some of our favourite episodes this month, and have some special new formats planned for 2025! 

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In this episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, Maria is joined by Kimberley McKenzie, a seasoned charity executive turned leadership coach, to discuss the urgent need for wellness in the nonprofit sector. From her journey as a nonprofit leader to her current work coaching charity executives around the globe, Kimberley shares actionable insights on fostering a culture of well-being and trust in mission-driven organizations. 

Key Topics Covered: 

• The human resource crisis in nonprofits 
• The four C’s framework for high-performing teams  
• Prioritizing wellness culture 

Actionable Tips: 

➜ Invest in coaching: Support managers with coaching to improve team performance and workplace culture. 

➜ Adopt trauma-informed practices: Recognize and address the emotional well-being of your team. 

➜ Embed wellness in strategy: Align organizational priorities and budgets with the well-being of your staff. 

Resources Mentioned: 

• Kimberley McKenzie Website 
• Why Well-Being is a Skill 
• When the Body Says No: The Cost of Hidden Stress  
• Trauma Informed Leadership 

Connect with Us: 

• Connect with Maria Rio 
• Connect with Kimberley McKenzie 

Subscribe and Review: 

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. Watch this episode on YouTube. 

Support the Podcast: 

Support these conversations by donating here. 

Coming Next Week: 

Join us next week as Matt Diamante of 'HeyTony' reveals how nonprofits can ditch rigid marketing for genuine connections, build community with DIY strategies, and get real results by focusing on what works best—even on a tight budget.   

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In this episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, host Maria welcomes Nicole from Canada Helps and Sam from Apathy Is Boring to discuss the latest trends in giving and civic engagement. They dive into findings from Canada Helps' 2024 Giving Report, exploring the challenges nonprofits face in engaging donors amid rising disconnection, financial stress, and generational shifts. Together, they share actionable insights on how charities can adapt and foster community impact despite these trends. 

Key Topics Covered: 

• 2024 Canada Helps Giving Report highlights 
• Youth engagement and civic participation 
• Impact of economic challenges and wealth inequality on giving 

Quotable Quotes: 

• “Giving is a form of civic engagement, right? It's a way of sharing... And so when you look at it in that broader framework, you've got, obviously, the treasures, the giving, the philanthropic sort of contributions that citizens can make to issues they care about.” – Sam Reusch 
• “When you are cultivating your donors or your supporters in any sort of way, how can you get those community activations and build that community? It doesn’t need to be an extra project... but it can be built into the work you’re already doing.” – Nicole Danesi 

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

Resources Mentioned: 

• 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 Us: 

• Connect with Maria Rio 
• Connect with Nicole Danesi 
• Connect with Sam Reusch 

Subscribe and Review: 

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. Watch this episode on YouTube. 

Support the Podcast: 

Support these conversations by donating here. 

Coming Next Week: 

Join us next week as Kimberley Mackenzie shares her expertise on how prioritizing team well-being can transform your nonprofit, prevent burnout, and create a resilient, values-driven culture. 

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In this episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, Maria chats with Rachel Bearbower, founder of Small Shop Strategies and the Nonprofit Automation Agency, about using automation to streamline nonprofit operations and build authentic donor relationships. Rachel breaks down how automation tools can help nonprofits stay connected with donors, reduce repetitive tasks, and free up time for more impactful work. 

Key Topics Covered: 

• The value of automation in donor retention 
• Personalized gratitude at scale 
• Building relationship equity 
• Automation tools and tips 

Quotable Quotes: 

• " You’re still a human sending to another human. You wrote it once, and now it’s sending it many times. Or making it happen many times." – Rachel Bearbower 
• " The first 100 days of your donor’s experience has got to be top-notch. Automation can really help you out." – Rachel Bearbower 

Actionable Tips: 

➜ Automate donor welcome series: set up a welcome email series for new donors, ensuring they feel immediately connected. 

➜ 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. 

➜ 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 Mentioned: 

• Nonprofit Automation Agency 
• Small Shop Strategies 

Connect with Us: 

• Connect with Maria Rio 
• Connect with Rachel Bearbower 
• Instagram: @smallshopstrategies 

Subscribe and Review: 

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. Watch this episode on YouTube. 

Support the Podcast: 

Support these conversations by donating here. 

Coming Next Week: 

Join us next week as Nicole Danesi and Sam Reusch dig into why connection matters for donor engagement, how equitable RFPs could transform partnerships, and practical ways to strengthen community impact. 

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In this episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, Maria sits down with Heather Nelson, founder of Bridge Raise, to explore how small nonprofits can build successful corporate partnerships. They discuss common challenges, the importance of aligning values, and how nonprofits can confidently approach corporate funders, even small organizations. This episode provides essential strategies for nonprofits wanting to build meaningful corporate connections. 

Key Topics Covered: 

• Building confidence and focusing on relationships 
• The role of employee engagement in partnerships 
• The value of persistence and networking 

Actionable Tips: 

➜ 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.
➜ 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.
➜ 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 Mentioned: 

• Bridge Raise Website 
• Bridge Raise Hard Questions Workbook  

Connect with Us: 

• Connect with Maria 
• Connect with Heather 

Subscribe and Review: 

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. Watch this episode on YouTube. 

Support the Podcast: 

Support these conversations by donating here. 

Coming Next Week: 

Join us next week as Rachel Bearbower, CEO of Small Shop Strategies, shares how nonprofits can use automation to boost revenue, improve donor retention, and create a sustainable impact! 

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In this episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, Maria chats with Rhea Wong, a major gift fundraising expert and former nonprofit Executive Director, about building trust with major donors, consent-based fundraising, and the shifting philanthropic landscape. Rhea shares her experience navigating donor relationships, building trust, and tips for creating a successful major gifts program. 

Key Topics Covered: 

• Building trust in major gift fundraising 
• Consent-based fundraising 
• Navigating difficult conversations with donors 
• Empathy and understanding generational differences 
• Starting a major gifts program 

Quotable Quotes: 

• "Fundraising is not about closing gifts; it's about opening relationships." - Rhea Wong
• "You need to ask for consent before you consider someone a prospect. Just because you have their contact information doesn’t mean they’re ready to give." - Rhea Wong

Actionable Tips: 

➜ Ask for consent: Before considering someone as a major gift prospect, ensure you have their consent to engage in deeper conversations. Use surveys and personal interactions to learn about their interests and how they’d like to be involved. 

➜ Treat donors as partners: Build relationships based on trust and transparency. Engage donors as equal partners in your mission, focusing on long-term relationships rather than one-time transactions. 

➜ Have tough conversations: Don’t shy away from discussing difficult topics like systemic issues or organizational challenges. Addressing these openly can deepen donor trust and lead to stronger partnerships. 

➜ Start with strong annual giving: Before jumping into major gift fundraising, ensure your annual donor program is solid. This will give you a foundation of consistent support and help identify engaged donors who could become major prospects. 

➜ Be intentional and proactive: Approach donor relationships with a clear plan. Define what an ideal major gift partnership looks like for your organization and communicate that vision early in conversations with donors. 

Resources Mentioned: 

• 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 Us: 

• Connect with Maria Rio 
• Connect with Rhea Wong 

Subscribe and Review: 

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. Watch this episode on YouTube. 

Support the Podcast: 

Support these conversations by donating here. 

Coming Next Week: 

Join us next week as Heather Nelson shares how nonprofits can build values-aligned corporate partnerships by confidently articulating their goals and embracing tough conversations for stronger collaborations. 

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