Does your nonprofit seem to be just scraping by, even though everyone is working harder than ever? It's not just your organization. The nonprofit sector is in crisis, facing issues like shrinking revenue, chronic underfunding, staffing struggles, and increasing demands from the community. In this episode of The Small Nonprofit, strategic consultant Nicole Gagliardi examines the broken model and warns that the sector needs a major overhaul.

Nicole brings over 18 years of experience working in and alongside nonprofits. She offers a sober view of the sector's challenges and provides actionable insights on how organizations can start adapting. Whether you're a board member, executive director, or a dedicated staff member, you'll gain powerful knowledge to help you navigate the current nonprofit climate.

Does your nonprofit talk a good game about diversity and inclusion, but the action never seems to follow? Maybe you've been part of mandatory trainings that left you asking, "Okay, but now what……?"

I'm excited to have Jade Pichette from Pride at Work Canada on today's episode of The Small Nonprofit! Jade is breaking down why that "emergency response" mindset around issues like racism and homophobia just doesn't cut it – and spoiler alert, it might actually be doing more harm than good. But don't worry! Jade's got the insider scoop on how nonprofits can proactively build more inclusive, equitable workplaces where everyone can thrive.

Sometimes you feel like you're constantly chasing, juggling, and maybe even losing ground. It's difficult not to get extremely overwhelmed, but Maryanne says it is time to break those patterns! We dive deep into the art of influence with Maryanne Dersch. “It's not about mind control or manipulation. This is about stepping into your own power, crafting a vision, and inspiring your team, board, AND donors to get on board with excitement”

Maryanne Dersch has three decades of experience helping organizations connect authentically. She's a consultant, coach, teacher, podcaster, purple-enthusiast – she does it all! In this episode, learn how to shift from a scarcity mindset to a place of empowerment by managing fear, building confidence, and mastering that magnetic, influential leadership style.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

What if you could tap into the enthusiasm of your biggest supporters and turn them into fundraising rockstars? That's where peer-to-peer fundraising comes in!

I had a blast chatting with Tess Conrad of Full Potential Fundraising, a fundraising pro who's passionate about helping small nonprofits do big things. Tess shared her wealth of experience on all things peer-to-peer – setting realistic goals, finding the perfect fundraisers, creative campaign ideas, and the importance of treating those new donors like the gems they are.