In this episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, Maria sits down with Quilen Blackwell, President and co-founder of Chicago Eco House and Southside Blooms. Quilen shares his remarkable journey of founding and growing a nonprofit with a thriving $2 million social enterprise. With a focus on sustainability, community development, and economic resilience, Quilen offers invaluable tips for nonprofits looking to scale effectively.

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.

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 emphasizes the need for Southern nonprofits to diversify their funding sources, engage in proactive donor education, and prepare for potential legal challenges in the wake of recent shifts in U.S. policy and law. 

In this episode ofThe Small Nonprofit, Maria welcomes Juliana Sprott, Chief Giving Officer of the Sprott Foundation. Juliana shares her journey from sports broadcasting to leading a major family foundation in Canada.

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 bookkeeping services.

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 unwavering commitment to equity and justice provide invaluable lessons for anyone involved in the nonprofit sector.

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 for both funders and fundraisers on how to create a more collaborative and impactful philanthropic landscape.

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).

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 an organization's stated values and its actual practices, emphasizing the importance of feedback, vulnerability, and accountability.

Do you find it challenging to connect with your donors on a deeper level and turn one-time gifts into lasting relationships? In this episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, we dive into the world of donor community building with Owen O'Doherty, the CEO of DonorSee. Owen shares his insights on how to leverage beneficiary-driven storytelling, technology, and authentic engagement to create a thriving community of donors who are passionate about your cause.