Small Nonprofit: Fundraising Tips, Leadership Strategies, and Community-Centric Solutions
Welcome to Small Nonprofit, the podcast designed for leaders, fundraisers, and advocates in the nonprofit sector who want to create real change. We provide small nonprofit organizations with strategies to enhance their fundraising campaigns, improve nonprofit governance, and implement ethical fundraising practices that resonate with today’s values-driven donors.
Hosted by an experienced nonprofit consultant, Maria Rio, this show delves into the unique challenges of nonprofit fundraising and community-centric fundraising, providing tools for donor engagement and major gifts fundraising.
👤 Who Should Listen?
This podcast is perfect for anyone involved in a small nonprofit seeking practical advice on fundraising strategy, nonprofit leadership, and board accountability. Whether you're looking for innovative fundraising ideas for nonprofit organizations or trying to create an impact measurement framework that demonstrates your organization’s value, Small Nonprofit is here to guide you.
🎤 Core Topics We Cover
Community-Centric Fundraising: Learn how ethical fundraising practices can strengthen donor relationships, enhance donor engagement, and align your organization with values-based major giving principles. We’ll help you shift from a donor-centric model to one that prioritizes the community.
Systemic Change and Governance: From participatory budgeting to nonprofit board of directors best practices, we explore how to navigate the nonprofit industrial complex and embrace structures that foster diversity in nonprofit leadership and board accountability.
Preventing Nonprofit Burnout: Tackle topics such as nonprofit burnout prevention and learn how to cultivate a healthy, anti-oppressive work culture that supports your team’s well-being.
Nonprofit Storytelling: Understand how to measure your nonprofit’s effectiveness through nonprofit impact measurement strategies and leverage nonprofit storytelling to create compelling narratives that attract donors.
📣 Engaging Conversations and Real-World Advice
In each episode, we bring you insights from experts in fundraising consulting, nonprofit grant writing, and capital campaign strategies. From interviews with fractional fundraisers and major gift officers to deep dives on fundraising tips and innovative fundraising ideas, we offer actionable advice that you can implement immediately to strengthen your organization’s impact.
💰 Learn How to Build a Sustainable Nonprofit
Every nonprofit leader faces the challenge of achieving financial sustainability. Our episodes address critical fundraising strategies for nonprofit organizations, providing insights on volunteer management, capacity building, and nonprofit marketing strategy. Gain access to tools that help you execute successful fundraising campaigns and build a foundation for long-term growth.
🤝 Join the Movement for Systemic Change
At The Small Nonprofit, we’re committed to transforming the nonprofit sector from the ground up. Our focus on systemic change and community-centric fundraising aligns with our mission to support nonprofits in creating equitable, sustainable communities. By addressing topics like values-based decision making and nonprofit transparency, we’re working to build a more ethical, inclusive sector.
❤️ Stay Connected
Subscribe to Small Nonprofit on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your preferred podcast platform. Don’t miss an episode as we explore everything from fundraising tips to nonprofit social media strategy, and learn how you can become a stronger advocate for your organization’s mission.
Small Nonprofit: Fundraising Tips, Leadership Strategies, and Community-Centric Solutions
Manage Up in Nonprofit Leadership
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!
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