The Small Nonprofit Further Together

Are you the only one in your nonprofit who understands fundraising?  You spend hours crafting proposals, building donor relationships, and strategizing, while your colleagues think it's as simple as posting on Instagram. Well, today's episode is for YOU. We're diving into the power of creating a culture of philanthropy, where everyone in your organization understands and supports sharing your mission, leading to incredible fundraising success.
I'm thrilled to have Tammy Ebuen, a fundraising superstar with over 15 years of experience, join me on the show. As the Senior Director of Development at Visions of Science, she's coming on to chat about what it looks like when everyone understands fundraising. Tammy shares her insights, success stories, and tangible tips on how your nonprofit can cultivate that collective understanding, creating a more sustainable – and enjoyable! – fundraising environment.
  
Key Episode Highlights: 
Shared Responsibility is Key: A culture of philanthropy means everyone from staff to leadership views fundraising as an integral part of achieving your mission, not just “something the fundraiser does”.Psychological Safety = Fundraising Innovation: Staff feeling valued and safe to be themselves bring fresh ideas to the table, leading to more engaging and effective fundraising strategies.Success Stories Fuel Motivation: When everyone celebrates fundraising wins, it creates a positive feedback loop, inspiring the team and attracting further support.Culture of Philanthropy Means Staff Retention: Fundraisers thrive in environments where they feel connected to the mission and supported by the entire organization.Don’t forget to become a supporter of our show!

Watch this episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/g0SOACjg-lQ 
The Small Nonprofit is being sponsored by Troi Mailing—that’s “T-R-O-I” Mailing. Friends, I have personally been using Troi's printing and mailing services for almost five years now. I choose them for my clients because they are great to work with, always get my brand colours right, are cost-effective, and get my mail outs to my donors on time - even during busy seasons! Call 1-866-876-4624 for a free $100 postage credit on your next campaign. Promo code: DonorDM1.
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Think you know how donors behave? Think again!  I had the best  conversation with Tim Sarrantonio from Neon One about the realities of monthly giving and donor retention. We busted some common myths (even ones I believed!), talked about the psychology behind giving, and got a sneak peek at the groundbreaking report Neon One is just released.
Tim is a powerhouse in the nonprofit world, known for his insights on fundraising trends and tech. He's passionate about helping smaller nonprofits have access to the same powerful data as the big guys. This episode is full of actionable takeaways that will help you build stronger relationships with your donors and create a more sustainable fundraising program.


Key Episode Highlights: 
Busting myths with data: Don't base your strategies on assumptions. Look for reliable data sources to ensure you're making informed decisions that will drive real results for your nonprofit.It's not just about the numbers: While data is powerful, don't forget the human element. Donors want to feel like they're part of something bigger than themselves. Build community and foster a sense of belonging.The astonishing value of monthly donors: The average lifetime value of a monthly donor may surprise you. Focus on cultivating those long-term, impactful relationships.Think outside the (December) box: Don't put all your eggs in the end-of-year giving basket. Explore opportunities to inspire giving throughout the year and build a diverse revenue stream.Data is your friend: Embrace the power of data analysis to understand your donors better, tailor your messaging, and create a fundraising strategy that delivers lasting results.Don’t forget to become a supporter of our show!

Watch this episode on Youtube:https://youtu.be/RidjdI1A-NM 
Links and Resources:  
Email Report's digital reader: https://neonone.com/resources/nonprofit-email-report/report-reader/?section=1-1Recurring Giving Report: https://neonone.com/resources/recurring-giving-report/?ref=mainNav Connect with Tim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timsarrantonio/ Website: https://neonone.com/ Connect with Maria on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/mariario/Support the show: https://www.buzzsprout.com/208666/supporters/newThe Small Nonprofit is being sponsored by Troi Mailing—that’s “T-R-O-I” Mailing. Friends, I have personally been using Troi's printing and mailing services for almost five years now. I choose them for my clients because they are great to work with, always get my brand colours right, are cost-effective, and get my mail outs to my donors on time - even during busy seasons! Call 1-866-876-4624 for a free $100 postage credit on your next campaign. Promo code: DonorDM1.
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This one gets me to my core. I sat down with Marisa DeSalles, a Black fundraiser creating and moderating spaces for other Black fundraisers and leaders, to dive deep into trends she sees through her work.
Marisa leads a cohort of Black fundraisers. She is uniquely positioned to provide key insights on the state of the sector, its treatment of racialized leaders, and the exodus of fundraisers. Racialized leaders do not have the same access to wealth, connections, or power as white leaders. However, like all EDs, they feel the entire mission's weight resting solely on their shoulders. We'll unpack how this impacts the sector, and most importantly, what we can do about it.
Key Episode Highlights:
The "Black Excellence" trap: The constant pressure to outperform white counterparts as a means of survival isn't sustainable. It's harmful. We need to embrace "mastery" over unattainable perfection.Harms of donor influence: Institutions are caving to donors driven by whitelash, eroding trust and harming their service users. Fundraisers of colour are often caught in the crossfire.Self-care isn't optional: Unpacking trauma is vital – if we don't tend to ourselves, we can't adequately serve our communities. Self-care is a form of activism.Community is power: It's hard fighting alone. Building a network of peers and allies is crucial, especially finding powerful champions within your organization who will advocate for you.Setting sustainable goals: When fundraising is tough, the answer ISN'T just to push harder.  We need realistic targets and expectations so fundraisers aren't set up to fail.Don’t forget to become a supporter of our show!
Watch this episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/Nw4LPpPOtS4 
Links and Resources:  
“12 Years a Fly in the Milk”: https://communitycentricfundraising.org/2020/07/11/12-years-a-fly-in-the-milk/Collecting Courage: https://www.collectingcourage.org/Dean Article - https://archive.is/lYjUUGiving Black Conference - https://www.givingblack.ca/copy-of-giving-black-conference-2023Connect with Marissa DeSalles on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marisa-desalles/Learn more about Good Tilth Consulting: https://www.goodtilthconsulting.com/Connect with Maria on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/mariario/Support the show: https://www.buzzsprout.com/208666/supporters/newThe Small Nonprofit is being sponsored by Troi Mailing—that’s “T-R-O-I” Mailing. Friends, I have personally been using Troi's printing and mailing services for almost five years now. I choose them for my clients because they are great to work with, always get my brand colours right, are cost-effective, and get my mail outs to my donors on time - even during busy seasons! Call 1-866-876-4624 for a free $100 postage credit on your next campaign. Promo code: DonorDM1.
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Tired of the same old fundraising that just doesn't reflect your community? Wish you could break free from the stuffy, traditional approaches and find ways to authentically connect with your donors?  
In this episode, we ditch “best practices” and dove headfirst into fundraising in the queer community with Madeline Taylor, Development Manager at Out On Screen. Madeline, a passionate community builder and champion for equity, shares the strategic thinking behind their approach and how to channel the vibrant energy of your community into impactful fundraising. Out On Screen throws fundraising events true to them -  drag shows, burlesque, 20-minute land acknowledgements, storytelling, and more. 
Key Takeaways:
Representation Matters: Building a board and staff that genuinely reflect the community you serve is crucial. It's not just about understanding fundraising – it's about understanding the lived experiences of those you aim to support.Authenticity is Everything: Out On Screen's bold fundraising approaches, from playful drag shows to introspective partnerships, showcase a deep connection to their queer community. Don't be afraid to let your organization's true values shine through in your fundraising efforts.Relationship-First Fundraising: Madeline emphasizes the importance of building lasting relationships with donors and community members, moving beyond one-time transactions and into meaningful partnerships.Room for Growth: Even with the best intentions, there's always space to improve communication and relationship management in fundraising. Acknowledging this allows for continuous learning and evolution.Values Alignment: Out On Screen carefully considers the ethics of funding sources, ensuring partnerships align with their mission and don't allow donors to simply "queer-wash" their image.Don’t forget to become a supporter of our show!
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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. I spoke with Michelle Okere, an inclusion specialist and nonprofit powerhouse, about how to build anti-racism into your organization's core.
Michelle shared her own experiences facing systemic barriers, strategies for meaningful communication, and why empowering your frontline staff is the key to success.  An accomplished leader with a strong commitment to community, Michelle's insights will help you take actionable steps toward a more inclusive workplace.   
Key Episode Highlights: 
It starts with communication. One of the biggest obstacles to inclusion is staff, volunteers, and service users not feeling heard, understood, or involved at every level of decision-making.Meaningful land acknowledgments can be a step toward action. Don't just rattle off a stock statement. Michelle shares how to make them a bridge for deeper conversation, relationship-building, and systemic change.Fear stops progress. We talked a lot about the fear many well-intentioned folks have of "saying the wrong thing" when it comes to building inclusion. Michelle helps us break that barrier down and just start the conversation.Inclusion isn't optional, it's foundational. We can't make those big promises of supporting marginalized communities, and then fail to build inclusive structures, policies, and practices into every aspect of the organization.Don’t forget to become a supporter of our show!
Watch this episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/_8Av-EH2nY4 
Links and Resources:  
Michelle Okere (Linkedin): https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-okere/Michelle Okere (Twitter): @michelle0kereOkere & 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/newSupport the show

Scandals, harmful practices, and image-obsessed leaders plague our sector, but it doesn't have to be this way. My candid chat with Liz LeClair, a fearless fundraiser, feminist, and disruptor, is a breath of fresh air. 
We discuss the lack of accountability in our sector, why real change is hard, and how we MUST do better. Liz calls out the sector (and herself!) for past failings. We discuss boardroom complacency, centering BIPOC voices, and why white moderates need a rethink. 
This episode might leave you uncomfortable – and that's the point. Let's demand a truly accountable nonprofit world.
Key Episode Highlights: 
Silence breeds more harm: Liz's courageous decision to speak out against sexual harassment by a high-profile donor sparked a much-needed conversation about the pervasive power imbalances and toxic culture in our sector.White moderates hold us back: The desire to stay neutral or avoid difficult conversations is ultimately complicity. To move forward, we (especially white people) must actively dismantle oppressive systems and listen to those most impacted.Accountability isn't about punishment: It's about building transparent, supportive, and safe environments where everyone is held to the same expectations. Leaders, board members, and donors are not exempt!Community is key for support and learning: Liz's transformation came from connecting with BIPOC leaders who modeled true allyship and how to fight for justice while maintaining community care.This IS your fight too: Even if you haven't faced the same issues directly, creating a more equitable sector where everyone can thrive benefits us all. This isn't about charity, it's about justice.Don’t forget to become a supporter of our show!
Watch this episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/eVCH1_lgviQ 
Links and Resources:  
Website: https://www.sargassophilanthropic.ca/ Connect with Liz on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-leclair/ Connect with Maria on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/mariario/Support the show: https://www.buzzsprout.com/208666/supporters/newSupport the show