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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
From Donor-Centric to Community-Centric Fundraising
From Donor-Centric to Community-Centric: Building Equity Into Fundraising
Most “best practices” put donors and boards at the top of the pyramid - and everyone else (staff, volunteers, service users) at the bottom.
In this episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, Maria Rio breaks down the shift from donor-centric to community-centric fundraising and why this change is key to building a more equitable nonprofit sector.
Maria unpacks how covert white supremacy shows up in nonprofit culture, from “tone-policing” to donor hero narratives, and what it looks like to root those habits out in everyday fundraising. She also shares how fundraisers can start bringing donors into these conversations—challenging outdated ideas about overhead, pushing back on problematic donations, and transforming donors into real partners for justice.
Maria shares the mindset, tools, and examples every fundraiser needs to move from good intentions to meaningful action—without burning out or compromising their values.
Community-Centric Fundraising in Nonprofits - The Highlights:
- Why community-centric fundraising is more than a trend; it’s a reimagining of how nonprofits build power and impact.
- The hidden ways white supremacy culture shows up in fundraising practices (and how to spot them).
- How to have respectful but firm conversations with donors about overhead, dignity, and equity.
- Why “no” can be the most ethical and mission-aligned answer to a donation.
- How to turn donors into true advocates and allies for systemic change.
🎧 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!
Community-Centric Fundraising in Nonprofits – 5 Actionable Tips:
- Audit your fundraising practices — Identify donor-centric habits that center wealth instead of community.
- Educate your donors — Share resources like the Community-Centric Fundraising Hub and invite donors to learn alongside your team.
- Challenge problematic donations — Ask: “Does this gift align with our mission and values?” before saying yes.
- Talk openly about overhead — Frame it as the cost of doing meaningful, sustainable work—not a burden.
- Reframe donor relationships — Position them as collaborators in social change, not saviors.
Resources and Links
- Community-Centric Fundraising Hub
- Vu Le’s Nonprofit AF Blog
- Connect with Maria Rio on LinkedIn
- Support The Small Nonprofit Podcast — we’re fully self-funded! Donate here
- Watch this episode on
- Connect with the show: Watch the episode on YouTube; follow Maria Rio on LinkedIn for more conversations and resources. Or support our show. We are fully self-funded!
- Book a Discovery Call with Further Together: Need help with your fundraising? See if our values-aligned fundraisers are a fit for your organization.