Ever tried to juggle visionary ideas, tight budgets, and a team that spans every learning style under the sun? In this episode of The Small Nonprofit, Maria sits down with management coach and EDI powerhouse Marisa Tran (they/them) to unpack what “people-first, consent-based leadership” really looks like when you’re running a small shop. 

Marisa is an autistic, gender-queer, Irish-Vietnamese settler with 15 years of experience helping organizations clean up their HR, embed equity, and grow managers into actual leaders. Their superpowers: workplace harm reduction, accessibility audits, and coaching folks who were promoted for being great at their job...but never shown how to lead. 

Managing People – The Highlights 

• Performance talks should be boringly routine 
  Make goals and feedback part of every weekly or bi-weekly check-in so “the big scary review” never sneaks up on anyone. 
• Consent in management 
  LONG before performance reviews, work with the staffer to create a work plan and a check in cadence. Autonomy = trust. 
• Recognition isn’t one-size-fits-all 
  Annual raises matter, but some staff love public shout-outs while others want quiet affirmation or extra learning budgets. Ask, don’t assume. 
• Leaders own the misses; teams own the wins 
  When targets slip, step up and shield your crew. When they soar, hand them the mic and the credit. 
• Diversity of thought strengthens strategy 
  Pair big-idea generators with detail-oriented implementers and professional problem-spotters. Different brains, stronger outcomes. 

3 Actionable Tips for Managing People: 

• Bake goals into your meeting agenda 
  Create a living doc or dashboard you revisit every check-in. Progress, blockers, next steps; nothing fancy, just visible. 
• Run a “How do you like to be celebrated?” survey 
  Five quick questions (think love-languages-at-work) will save you from that pizza-party flop and show staff you actually listen. 
• Track turnover like a KPI 
  Note tenure, role, and identities (where shared). Spikes in departures—especially among marginalized staff—are flashing red lights for culture repair. 

Resources and Links 

• Connect with our host, Maria Rio 
• Connect with our guest, Marisa Tran 
• Marisa’s 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 :) 

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

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Good Works estimates that a staggering $280 billion in estate wealth is expected to flow into Canadian charities. That’s not a number small nonprofits can afford to overlook. Planned giving doesn’t have to be exclusive, intimidating, or tax-code-heavy. In this episode, we dive into how small nonprofits can approach planned giving in a way that’s equitable, inclusive, and deeply aligned with community values. 

We’re joined by Chantelle Ohrling, a thought leader in both the planned giving and Community-Centric Fundraising spaces. She is the Planned Giving Officer at Ecojustice, is the Communications Chair for the Greater Vancouver Chapter of the Canadian Association of Gift Planners and contributes her voice to the Black Canadian Fundraisers Collective and Hogan’s Alley Society. Chantelle also holds a certification in Legacy Giving Psychology from the Institute for Sustainable Philanthropy and received the 2023 Birgit Smith Burton R.I.S.E. Award. Chantelle brings not just technical expertise, but a fierce commitment to justice, equity, and community-led philanthropy. 

Planned Giving and Community-Centric Fundraising – Episode Highlights 

1. Planned giving is not just for the ultra-wealthy. 
Many transformational legacy gifts come from long-time supporters who aren’t high-dollar donors. A $50-a-year donor who volunteers, reads the newsletter, and shows up for events? They might be your next million-dollar legacy gift. 

2. Racialized communities are generous and underserved. 
Research shows Black and racialized communities are among the most generous in Canada. The issue isn’t willingness: it’s access, representation, and trust. Planned giving strategies must meet these communities where they are. 

3. Planned giving can close the racial wealth gap. 
It’s not just a funding strategy, it’s also a justice strategy. Promoting estate planning in underserved communities supports financial literacy, generational wealth-building, and autonomy over where wealth flows after death. 

4. Values-led storytelling beats tax talk. 
Don’t lead with tax benefits. Lead with stories. Tell donors about people like them who’ve left a legacy that aligns with their values. Planned giving is emotional, not transactional. 

5. Don’t silo legacy giving into major gifts. 
Some of the largest bequests come from people who’ve never made a major gift in their lifetime. That’s why Chantelle doesn’t segment her messaging by giving levels—she hand-signs 700 newsletters if she has to. 

Resources and Links 

• Read more from Chantelle on the CCF Hub 
• Read Chantelle’s piece on The Philanthropist 
• 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 us a text HERE :)

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Too many small nonprofits build their budgets on optimism alone, dreaming big without the strategy or infrastructure to back it up. This episode is all about why that’s a problem, and how to stop the cycle of setting fundraising goals that hurt more than they help. 

In this episode of The Small Nonprofit, Maria Rio and co-host Caitlin McBride get real about what it means to set realistic, strategic fundraising goals, and what happens when you don’t. From pressure-filled board expectations to outlier-year budgeting mistakes, they unpack the ripple effects of extremely optimistic thinking and offer grounded ways to move forward. 

Want to avoid budget burnout and build goals that actually serve your mission? This episode is your guide. Listen now and share it with your board.  

Realistic Fundraising Goals – The Highlights 

1. Unrealistic fundraising goals hurt everyone. 
When goals are set without evidence or planning, it’s frustrating and it’s harmful. Fundraisers feel like they're being set up to fail, and the community loses access to reliable services. 

2. Outlier years aren’t a the baseline. 
Got a huge planned gift or a surge of support during a major global event? Great. But don’t build your next budget assuming that lightning will strike twice. 

3. The board can’t just wish money into existence. 
When leadership insists on big numbers without offering support or resources, they undermine the very people doing the work. Fundraising isn’t magical, it’s methodical. 

4. Growth means more than dollars. 
A 40% increase in revenue equals a 40% increase in workload. If you’re not adding capacity, you’re adding stress. 

5. You need to track leading indicators.
Revenue is a lagging indicator. Things like donor meetings, emails sent, and stewardship actions are what create that revenue. Track what’s in your control. 

3 Actionable Tips for Setting Realistic Fundraising Goals: 

1. Use real data, not wishful thinking.
Look at historical trends, capacity, and the types of revenue you’ve secured. Don’t budget based on what you want to happen, budget based on what’s likely. 

2. Break down your revenue streams. 
Separate out grants, major gifts, recurring donors, etc. Goals should be specific to each stream, not one vague number slapped across the board. 

3. Consider organizational context. 
If your staff just turned over, your website crashed last Giving Tuesday, or inflation is affecting your donors, factor that in. Not every year is a growth year. 

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

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

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Street fundraising teaches you more than grit, it teaches you the psychology of yes. Maria shares how to use these powers for good. 

In this episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, Maria shares real-world insights from her time as a face-to-face fundraiser, where she learned the science and subtlety behind why people say yes. It’s about harnessing cognitive biases and psychology to ethically move people toward action.  

Whether you're fundraising in person, online, or in campaigns, this episode gives you the tools to make your ask more effective, and more human. 

🔑 5 Cognitive Biases Every Fundraiser Should Know 

• Body Language Speaks Louder Than Words: 93% of communication is non-verbal. That means posture, facial expressions, and tone matter far more than the words you choose. Maria breaks down tips like open posture, strategic eye contact, and the subtle power of mirroring to build trust instantly. 
• Harness the Halo Effect: First impressions matter—a lot. By dressing the part, speaking confidently, and using vocal inflection effectively, you set the stage for your ask before you even make it. 
• Six Cognitive Biases That Boost Fundraising: Maria explains how to ethically apply human impulses like the Jones Effect (social proof), Fear of Loss, Indifference, Urgency, Time Limits, and Self-Interest. Each bias comes with relatable nonprofit examples and campaign ideas you can use today.
• Confidence is Contagious: Whether it’s a superhero power pose or detaching from a donor’s response, exuding quiet confidence helps potential supporters feel safe and inspired to give.
• Use Donor Psychology in Design Too: Beyond the pitch, consider how cognitive biases show up in email design, campaign thermometers, peer-to-peer highlights, and donation forms. Every touchpoint is a chance to reinforce credibility and emotional urgency. 

🎧 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 Ways to Ethically Persuade with Impact 

• Practice Your Pitch in the Mirror: Use mirroring, tone variation, and body language practice to get comfortable with your ask. Confidence on the outside signals confidence in your mission. 
• Build in Social Proof Everywhere: Add real-time donor counts, testimonials, or "Ashley’s team just raised $5,000" shout-outs to your emails and donation pages. The Jones Effect drives results. 
• Create Time-Limited Offers: Run a 72-hour match campaign, feature exclusive merch, or tie donations to specific, urgent needs. People are more likely to act when the opportunity feels fleeting. 

Resources and Links 

• Connect with our host, Maria Rio 
• Decision Lab Cognitive Bias List 
• 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 :) 

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

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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

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

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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

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

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Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. 

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 

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

Support the show

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 us a text HERE :)

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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!

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

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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 

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

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