Send us a text In this episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, Maria speaks with Kathryn LeBlanc, a communications consultant specializing in social impact. Kathryn shares valuable insights on the importance of clear, concise messaging for nonprofits, and how to effectively communicate your organization’s mission.  Key Topics:  The Importance of Clear Messaging  Operationalizing Communications  Developing Key Messages  Identifying and Targeting Audiences  Building Internal Capacity  Quotable Moment:  "A good message should be concise, rooted in emotio ..read more

Send us a Text Message. In this episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, Maria interviews Carmen Randolph, the CEO and President of the Women’s Foundation of the South (WFS). Carmen shares her insights into the unique challenges faced by nonprofits in the Southern United States, especially those led by and serving women and girls of color. The conversation covers the historical and systemic issues affecting philanthropy in the South, the growing legal challenges against organizations that prioritize marginalized communities, and the importance of trust-based philanthropy.  Carmen emphasiz ..read more

Send us a Text Message. Key Episode Highlights:  Trust-Based Philanthropy  Challenging Outdated Norms  Donor-Nonprofit Partnerships  Quotable Moments:  "I believe in the nonprofits we fund. They know better than I do where the money needs to go."  "We need to move away from this idea that nonprofit staff should be underpaid. It's time to invest in the people who make change happen."  "If nonprofits across the country could standardize a percentage of donations for admin costs, it would be a game changer for the sector."  Actionable Tips:  ➜ Incl ..read more

Send us a Text Message. In this episode of The Small Nonprofit, Maria sits down with Roz Zavras, founder of the Center for Community Collaboration (C3) and CEO of Aropa Consulting. Roz shares her unique approach to supporting community-based nonprofits, particularly those led by people of colour or individuals with lived experience.   Through C3, Roz is finding innovative ways to foster collaboration, provide essential services, and break down the silos that often hinder nonprofits from achieving their full potential. She talks about collaborative fundraising events and sharing HR or book ..read more

Send us a Text Message. In this episode of The Small Nonprofit, Maria welcomes Vu Le, a prominent voice in the nonprofit sector and the writer behind the influential blog Nonprofit AF. Known for his humor and sharp insights, Vu discusses his journey from “aspiring to be a doctor” to becoming a leader in community-centric fundraising and nonprofit advocacy.   He shares his thoughts on the systemic issues within traditional fundraising practices, the importance of ethical storytelling, and the need for nonprofits to engage in advocacy for systemic change. Vu's unique perspective and unwaver ..read more

Send us a Text Message. How can we shift power dynamics in philanthropy and create more equitable partnerships between funders and nonprofits?  In this episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, I chat with Megan Lorius, the Managing Director at the Sprott Foundation, a Toronto-based foundation that grants funds  to organizations seeking to solve hunger and homelessness.  We dive into the principles of trust-based philanthropy and how the Sprott Foundation, as a funder, applies them to build strong, equitable relationships with grantees. Megan shares valuable insights and advice fo ..read more

Send us a Text Message. How can we create a more equitable and just nonprofit sector?  In this episode of The Small Nonprofit, we chat with Chris Talbot-Heindl, a seasoned professional with over two decades of experience in the nonprofit world. Chris shares their personal experiences and insights on the challenges and opportunities facing nonprofits today, particularly in the areas of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (JEDI).  We explore the challenges faced by BIPOC individuals in predominantly white-led organizations and the importance of moving beyond performative allyship ..read more

Send us a Text Message. In a world where trust is paramount, how can small nonprofits ensure they're not just talking the talk, but walking the walk?  In this episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, I chat with Rickesh Lakhani, founder of Radiance Advisory, about the importance of aligning actions with values in the nonprofit sector. We delve into the challenges of upholding stated values, especially during leadership transitions, and the significance of creating a culture of trust and truth within organizations.  Rickesh shares insights on how to identify and bridge the gap between ..read more

Have you ever thought about merging your nonprofit with another organization? Or maybe transferring a program to another nonprofit? If you're like me, you might be thinking, "That sounds complicated and risky!" But what if strategic collaboration could be the key to unlocking your nonprofit's full potential? In this episode, I chat with Michelle Shumate, a professor at Northwestern University and a consultant at Social Impact Network Consulting, . Michelle shares her fascinating research on what sets successful collaborations apart. We dive into real-life examples of small nonprofits achieving ..read more

Are your nonprofit's efforts to build community feeling a bit... flat? Are you struggling to connect with your service users and donors in a meaningful way? On this episode of The Small Nonprofit, Ashley Alaniz-Moyer, Executive Director of the Hispanic Scholarship Consortium and co-founder of Refuerzo Collaborative, shares her insights on refreshing your approach to community engagement.  Discover how to move beyond transactional interactions, infuse fun and creativity into your events, and build lasting relationships with your board, volunteers, and supporters. We'll delve into practical ..read more