Managing Up in Nonprofit Leadership
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In this episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, Maria unpacks the nonprofit power dynamic we don’t talk about enough: what to do when you need to move things forward, but your Executive Director or board just… won’t.
Whether you're tired of chasing down information, being given confusing direction, or trying to navigate an ineffective board, this episode is your tactical guide to managing up. Maria offers no-fluff strategies to help you communicate clearly, influence with integrity, and protect your time and energy, all while getting things DONE.
Manage Up in Nonprofit Leadership with Maria Rio
Nonprofit Leadership & Gender Equity – The Highlights:
Managing up ≠ manipulation: It’s not about playing politics—it’s about making sure your work and mission don’t get derailed by dysfunction or indecision.
Your ED is overwhelmed—help them help you: Understand their priorities and offer solutions, not problems. Frame your asks around impact, not effort.
Control the narrative: Don’t just ask for tools or decisions—explain how they drive results. Example: “Here’s what this CRM enables us to do.”
Find your champions: Not all board members or leaders are equal. Identify and amplify your allies to influence change from within.
Know when to push, adapt, or leave: These tools work best with leaders who are collaborative. If your ED or board is toxic, no amount of strategy will fix the culture alone.
🎧 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 Maria Rio:
Maria Rio is the CEO and founder of Further Together, a Fractional Fundraising consulting firm she launched in January 2023, and the host of The Small Nonprofit Podcast. As a refugee who arrived in Canada at an early age, Maria’s personal experience with charitable services fueled her passion for nonprofit work. An advocate for Community-Centric Fundraising, Maria uses her lived experience to push for innovative, equity-driven approaches in the nonprofit sector.
Actionable tips to Manage Up in Nonprofit Leadership:
Understand their priorities: Ask what’s stressing them out or slowing things down and align your work with their key goals.
Bring solutions, not problems: Don’t just raise issues, offer fixes or options you actually want.
Frame asks around impact: Show how your request supports bigger outcomes for the organization.
Give upward feedback thoughtfully: Ask “Can I offer some feedback?”
Hold your boundaries: Say “no” to unreasonable asks (e.g., working weekends) and offer sustainable alternatives like saying “We need X support to meet this deadline.”
Connect with Me:
Maria Rio – Connect on LinkedIn
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Coming Up Next Week on the Small Nonprofit:
P.S. If you've ever wondered how to actually land major gifts without chasing donors or selling your soul, you won’t want to miss next week’s episode. I’m sitting down with Emma Lewzey (fundraising powerhouse and major gift whisperer) to talk about building authentic donor relationships that feel good and raise serious money. 👀💸
