
Every week your host Maria Rio, or her guests, will share actionable steps to support you in finding clarity, raising funds, and leading with courage.
Our Latest Episodes

Can we agree to stop exploiting our staff? with Nicole Gagliardi
Are you tired of watching your nonprofit's most passionate and dedicated employees leave due to burnout and exhaustion? It's time to address the elephant in the room - the exploitation of nonprofit staff. In this episode, we're joined by Nicole Gagliardi, an innovator and changemaker in the nonprofit sector with over 10 years of experience leading small nonprofits. Join us as we discuss the pervasive issue of staff exploitation in the nonprofit sector and explore practical solutions to create a healthier workplace culture.

Moving people with words with Jordana Merkin
Are you struggling to connect with your audience and make an impact with your organization's messaging? In this episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, I speak with Jordana Merkin, founder and CEO of Voice for Good, about the power of words in moving people to action. Join us as we dive into the world of nonprofit messaging and show you how to make a lasting impact with your words.

Asking for unrestricted funds with Aimee Lindenberger
Today we'll tackle a common challenge faced by small nonprofits – obtaining unrestricted funds. It's no secret that while many organizations excel at securing grants and program funding, the quest for those vital, unrestricted annual operating funds can be an uphill battle. In this episode, we’re joined by Aimee Lindenberger, the founder of Refocused Fundraising, an expert in fundraising communications, key messages, annual appeals, and legacy giving. Listen in as we discuss the importance of unrestricted funds and how to effectively communicate their value to your supporters.

Strategic planning from the ground up with Carol Hamilton
Have you ever struggled with strategic planning? Do you find it challenging to bring people along in the process? In this episode of the Small Nonprofit Podcast, I talk with Carol Hamilton, Principal of Grace Social Sector Consulting, about the importance of strategic planning in today's changing world. Carol discusses how to involve all stakeholders in the process, what to do when things get off track, and how to integrate the plan into your day-to-day practices.

Government Relations Foundations with Jesse Clarke
Often we take government funding for granted. Or, we treat it like an impenetrable black box that’s a mystery so we write our applications and cross our fingers. Today, we’re joined by Jesse Clarke, CEO of JN Clarke Consulting who shares insider tips on how to form successful relationships with government partners to secure new funding, keep the existing funds rolling in, and have champions at the decision making table.

Are you a hidden micromanager? with Erin Allgood
On today’s episode I’m joined by Erin Allgood, a social impact strategist from Allgood Strategies, to discuss the detrimental effects of micromanagement in organizations. She delves into the reasons behind micromanaging tendencies, the impact of remote work, and explore effective strategies for delegating tasks. So, whether you're a leader looking to break free from micromanagement or an employee seeking autonomy, this episode is packed with valuable insights.

Optimize your website with David Pisarek
Today's digital world demands an impactful online presence. In the era where a website is your business card and more, do you know how to leverage it for your small nonprofit organization? In this episode of the Small Nonprofit Podcast, David Pisarek, founder and CEO of Wow Digital, dive into the critical aspects of websites and digital marketing. Discover how your organization can improve its online presence, foster engagement, and attract more donations.

Communicating like a leader with Erica Barnhart
Do you ever find yourself questioning whether your message was clear or if you expressed your thoughts effectively? If so, this episode is for you. Tune in as Erica Barnhart, the CEO of Claxon, delves into the art of communication. Discover the significant impact of effective communication on both your personal and professional life, and learn how to inspire and mobilize the people around you.

Grow or Bust? The Future of Small Nonprofit
The very first season of The Small Nonprofit is coming to a close and we’ve rounded up all of our guests for a very special episode!
There is a huge emphasis on growth for all nonprofits, but especially small ones. It’s almost an obsession. How do we grow more? How do we raise more money? What happens if we don’t grow this year?

The Future of Work with Anil Patel
What does the future of work look like? Is it already here? How do we equip our organizations to meet the changing workplace? What do we need to do today?
These are all questions that Anil Patel, co-founder of Timeraiser and GrantBook asked himself when he started his year-long sabbatical to research the future of work.
As he nears the end of his research, he joined us on the podcast to talk about his findings.

How to Apply Social Innovation to your Small Nonprofit with Geraldine Cahill
This week Geraldine Cahill, co-author of Social Innovation Generation and past manager of programs and partnerships at Social Innovation Generation National (SiG), shares how you can think about social innovation in a way that impacts your organization’s day-to-day work AND how you think about changing the world.

Anti-Oppression: Process not Principle with Adil Dhalla
We often hear about how important it is to increase diversity and inclusion initiatives, but how can we bring about a safer, more comfortable place for everyone to work?
In the case of Adil Dhalla, the executive director of the Centre for Social Innovation (CSI) in Toronto, the quest for a diverse and inclusive environment is an on-going journey that starts with a self-reflection.

The Fundamentals of Anti-Oppression with Rania El Mugammar
Go beyond the buzzwords to build a foundational understanding of an anti-oppression framework and how it applies to your organization and its mission. In this episode with Rania El Mugammar, an anti-oppression educator, learn how to understand power dynamics, oppression and liberation.

The Post-Millennial Workforce with Mary Barroll
We all know how millennials have impacted the workforce, but a new generation is emerging! Gen Z is now entering the workforce and they are poised to have a very different impact than the generation before them. Mary Barroll, President of TallentEgg, helps us learn how to find and hire Gen Z interns and employees and how to keep them engaged in their jobs.

Board Effectiveness Made Easy
Board governance and effectiveness lies at the heart of charities. We love our boards, but working with them can be very challenging.
Matt Fullbrook from the Clarkson Centre for Board Governance walks us through some easy but impactful steps to take to re-focus your board and repair or optimize your relationship with your board members.

Digital Marketing DIY
Digital marketing for charities is kind of a funny space where it feels like we’re falling behind compared to other industries. This week we reached out to Avery Swartz, founder and CEO of Camp Tech, the tech workshop company for non-technical people, and helms North Coast Group, a website advisory and digital consultancy. We asked Avery all about digital marketing and how your small nonprofit can boost engagement without increasing your spending.

Managing Volunteers in Small Organizations with Camara Chambers
Volunteers are the bread and butter of our sector that helps make our work possible. But with great volunteers also comes great management. This week we sat down with Camara Chambers, executive director at Volunteer Toronto, to give us actionable tips and tools that your organization can use today.

The Legal Mistakes Your Small Charity is Making and How to Fix Them with Mark Blumberg
Does the T3010 confuse (or maybe even scare) you? Legal problems are something that all organizations face and the rules around them aren’t always black and white. So how can we make sure we’re not only compliant, but doing it right the first time? Today we’re talking with Mark Blumberg, a thought-leader in the legal space, about what they can look like, how to avoid them, and other best practices around the legal aspect of your organization.

Corporate Fundraising Building Blocks with Heather Nelson
We hear all the time about corporate fundraising as an ~easy~ solution to all of our funding needs and we see a lot of organizations not do it quite right. Not sure how exactly to get started? We are joined this week by Heather Nelson, an incredible thought leader in the corporate fundraising space, who shares guidelines for creating that valuable partnership with corporations and businesses.

Measure What Counts - Charity Financials with Gordon Holley
Finances can feel like a chore for organizations of any size, but especially small ones. In the same way you need to brush your teeth and take out the garbage, you need to have your organization’s financials in order. But it’s so much more than that! In this interview with Gordon Holly, we talk about the upside of having your finances in good order and what that could mean in terms of conversations with funders.