Small Nonprofit: Fundraising Tips, Leadership Strategies, and Community-Centric Solutions

Nonprofit Staff Are Not OK: The Changemaker Wellbeing Index

Send us a textThe 2025 Changemaker Wellbeing Index Report shows that 30% of nonprofit workers are experiencing food insecurity. This new study confirms what so many in our sector already feel every day: burnout, financial strain, and constant pressure. In this episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, Maria Rio is joined by Caitlin McBride, CFRE, a fundraising executive with over a decade of experience. Together, they unpack Future of Good’s 2025 Change Maker Wellbeing Index and what it reveals about food security, mental health, and overall wellbeing across Canadian nonprofits. Burnout in Nonprofits - The Highlights: We’re not in alignment with our values The study found that about 30% of nonprofit staff are experiencing food insecurity. Many organizations try to fight poverty in the community while it is happening inside their own four walls. Wellbeing is alarmingly low In arts, culture, and recreation, nearly half of staff reported poor wellbeing. Government-linked organizations like schools and hospital foundations reported lower but still concerning rates. Leadership and frontline experiences are different About half of entry-level and frontline staff reported poor wellbeing, compared to about 30% in senior leadership. Power, pay, and job security shape stress in very different ways. Turnover creates sector-wide brain drain More than 70% of entry-level staff who quit nonprofit roles leave the sector entirely. That is loss of experience, momentum, and future leadership. The future of the sector is at risk without change If early-career staff burn out and leave, organizations lose continuity and capacity. Sustainable missions require sustainable workplaces. 🎧 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! ✨ Key Quote “Doing good does not put food on the table. Just because someone wants to make a difference does not mean it should come at the expense of their health or financial security.” – Caitlin McBride Burnout in Nonprofits: 3 Actionable Tips  Compete on decent work If salary increases are limited, pull other levers: four-day work weeks, flexible schedules, real time off, meeting caps, and workload boundaries. However, if you can raise pay do it. Invest in systems for stability Track attrition, build simple budgets, create documented processes, and plan beyond year-end. Stable systems reduce chaos and protect staff wellbeing. Make wellbeing a core sustainability strategy Treat staff health and security as mission-critical. Align internal practices with external values so your team experiences the dignity your programs promise. Support the show

Major Gifts for Small Nonprofits

Send us a textSmall nonprofits deserve BIG support. However, many fundraisers stumble while trying one to one relationships with major donors without it feeling fake, forced, or transactional.  Fundraising is not sales; it is matchmaking. At the heart of every major gift is a shared why: the values and experiences that connect you, your mission, and your donors. In this episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, Maria Rio breaks down how small nonprofits can shift their mindset about major gifts, move past common fears, and start building authentic, lasting relationships with donors. Major Gifts for Small Nonprofits: The Highlights Fundraising Begins With Your Why Donors are not just buying into what your organization does - they are connecting with why you do it. Leading with your “why” helps you find alignment and build deeper trust. Limiting Beliefs Hold Fundraisers Back Common fears like "I don’t know how to ask," "I don’t know wealthy people," or "fundraising feels like begging" stop many from even trying. Naming and reframing these beliefs is the first step to moving past them. Fundraising Is Not Begging - It Is Partnership Begging means asking for something in exchange for nothing. Fundraising is offering donors a chance to live in alignment with their values and invest in the world they want to see. Lean into the psychology of fundraising. Rejection Is Not the End A no does not mean rejection of you or your cause - it simply means the timing or priority is not right for the donor. Every no gets you closer to a stronger yes. Communication Goes Beyond Words How you show up matters more than a perfect script. Your tone, presence, body language, and ability to listen all play a bigger role in building donor confidence and connection than memorized lines. 🎧 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! ✨ Key Quote from Maria: "Fundraising is not about convincing someone to give - it is about connecting them to a mission they already care about." - Maria Rio Major Gifts for Small Nonprofits: 3 Actionable Tips Reframe Fundraising as Matchmaking Think of yourself as the bridge between a donor’s values and your cause. You are not selling - you are introducing two parties who already belong together. Use the FORM Framework to Build Rapport Ask about Family, Occupation, Recreation, and Material interests to find common ground. Share about yourself too so it feels like a genuine relationship, not an interview. Anchor Every Ask in a Clear Story Focus on one problem, one solution, one result, and one impact. This keeps the conversation simple and powerful while helping donors clearly see the role they can play.Support the show

Audience Building for Nonprofits

Send us a textThis episode digs into practical ways small nonprofits can expand reach by pairing clear data with everyday touchpoints and values-aligned partnerships. Host Maria Rio talks with Christa Stelzmuller, CTO at Charity: Water, about using technology, product design, and data to grow awareness and generosity. Christa explains how Charity: Water builds digital products for donors, staff, and partners, and how those tools help connect supporters to impact for the 700 million people who still lack clean water. Christa Stelzmuller: CTO at Charity: Water. She leads product, design, engineering, and data. Her team treats technology as a revenue driver, using it for fundraising, impact data, and story-rich donor experiences. Growing Your Nonprofit Brand: The HighlightsTreat technology as a growth engine: At Charity: Water, tech is built to drive revenue and engagement. Apps, websites, and internal tools are designed to make giving easier and to connect donors to real impact. Audience growth starts with clean data: Understanding who supporters are and how donations relate to program work requires attention to data and data architecture. That clarity helps you focus on channels that actually expand reach. Use tech to build empathy and tell grounded stories: Digital experiences can shrink the distance between a donor with 17 taps at home and a community without clean water. Storytelling tools and impact data help people feel part of a shared, global community. Show up in everyday spaces through partnerships: Charity: Water is testing physical, retail-like experiences where people already spend time. Influencer and brand collaborations can do the same by introducing your mission to new audiences in familiar places. Nonprofit trust is a real advantage: Regulation, transparency, and long-term solutions set nonprofits apart. Charity: Water’s 100 percent model and detailed impact reporting, including GPS coordinates, build confidence that keeps audiences engaged. 🎧 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 Know your audience, then pick channels: If you are local, prioritize community events and neighborhood touchpoints. If your audience is broader or younger, lean into digital awareness and creator partnerships that match how they already spend time. Launch one low-lift partnership: Choose a values-aligned partner with real foot traffic or a loyal online following. Co-create something simple: a small in-store display, a short educational reel, or a limited-time give-at-checkout moment. Pair every story with a next step: When you share impact, include a direct action: email sign-up, event RSVP, small first gift, or volunteer interest. Track what converts and do more of what works. Key Quote “I think we should just grow the pie. I would not want to sit in judgment of how people choose to engage in a for-good context. I would love to see more funds funnel to nonprofits, especially considering how strict the regulations on nonprofits really are.” - Christa Stelzmuller Support the show

AI in Nonprofits: Re-engaging Your Community

Send us a textStorytelling is the heartbeat of nonprofit fundraising - and now, AI is giving organizations new ways to capture and share those stories while still keeping a human touch at the center. In this episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, Maria Rio sits down with Gustavo Berg, Co-founder and CEO of Vitalcy, an AI-powered alumni engagement platform helping nonprofits reconnect with their communities, strengthen relationships, and unlock new donor support. AI Storytelling in Nonprofits - The Highlights: Bandwidth is the biggest barrier Most nonprofits are not resisting AI - they are just stretched too thin to explore it. Lack of time and staff capacity is the real challenge. AI strengthens community ties When used well, AI can capture and amplify personal stories that reconnect alumni or past participants with a mission, turning memories into renewed engagement and donor support. Fear is normal, but not permanent Nonprofits may hesitate because AI feels overwhelming or too big. Starting small and experimenting is the best way to push past fear and discover practical value. Ethical storytelling still matters most AI can make processes faster, but human review and dignity safeguards are critical. Technology should enhance authenticity, not replace it. AI is an enabler, not a replacement Just like the internet transformed nonprofit work, AI is becoming part of daily operations. But the human relationships at the heart of fundraising will always remain. 🎧 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! ✨ Key Quote “Fundraising is human work at its core. AI should never erase that – it should help nonprofits do it more authentically, more efficiently, and at greater scale.” – Gustavo BergActionable Tips for Nonprofit Leaders to Harness AI Effectively: Start small with curiosity Go into tools like ChatGPT and ask simple questions about how they might make your job easier. You don’t need to overhaul everything, just dip your toes. Train AI on your organization’s own messaging Whether it is appeals, alumni stories, or newsletters, the more you feed AI about your nonprofit, the more useful and accurate it becomes. Pair efficiency with authenticity Use AI for first drafts or systems support, but keep a human voice and review in your storytelling. The goal is not speed for its own sake, but deeper connection with your community. Support the show

Donor Stewardship: Community-Centric Segmentation and Practices

Send us a textYour top donors don’t just write big cheques; they could be folding newsletters in your conference room every Tuesday or serving on your board for the third consecutive year.In this episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, we're exploring on what it means to steward supporters through a Community-Centric Fundraising lens. We're sharing ways we’ve shown gratitude to people who show up for your mission with time, talent, advocacy, and yes, dollars too. We challenge the traditional approach of stewarding people based solely on gift amounts and explore who really deserves your high-touch attention (spoiler: it's not just your $1,000+ donors).1. Volunteers Are Major Donors in DisguiseYour regular volunteers are often contributing the equivalent of $15,000-$60,000 in staff time, yet most organizations don't steward them like major donors. That volunteer who designed your website for free? That's a $15,000 gift that deserves the same recognition as a financial contribution of that size.2. Monthly Donors Deserve VIP TreatmentEven a $5 monthly donor should be in your major giving category. These supporters show incredible commitment and loyalty, and research shows they're likely to increase their giving over time. Plus, they're your best candidates for additional campaign gifts and planned giving opportunities.3. Your Staff Are Subsidizing Your MissionEvery nonprofit staff member is essentially making a $20,000-$30,000 gift by accepting below-market wages. During the current hiring and retention crisis, treating staff with the same stewardship approach you'd use for major donors isn't just nice. It's smart business.4. Longevity Matters More Than Single-Year GivingA donor who's given $100 for five consecutive years is more valuable than someone who gave $500 once. Length of relationship and consistency of support are stronger indicators of future giving potential than one-time gift amounts.5. Meaningful Stewardship Is About Connection, Not CostThe most impactful stewardship often costs very little. A quick, personal email sharing a story you just heard can be more meaningful than an expensive branded gift. Authenticity trumps fancy materials every time.Resources and Linkso   Connect with our host, Maria Rioo   Connect with our cohost, Caitlin McBrideo   Support our show. We are fully self-funded!o   Watch this episode on YouTubeo   Need help with your fundraising?o   Liked this episode? Have an idea? Send us a text HERE :)Support the show