This episode is sponsored by:
I am so excited to welcome Maria Rio to the podcast! Maria is the founder of Further Together, a fundraising consultancy helping nonprofit leaders raise money without stress, scarcity, or burnout. As a former refugee and user of charitable services, Maria brings powerful lived experience to her equity-driven approach to fundraising.
With over 15 years of leadership experience, Maria is a sought-after speaker, writer, and advocate for community-centric fundraising. In this conversation, we explore what an equitable nonprofit sector could look like, how leaders can avoid burnout, and practical ways to transform fundraising into a partnership model rooted in dignity and inclusion.
In this episode:
- [03:01] What an equitable nonprofit sector looks like
- [06:42] Why advocacy is often missing from nonprofits
- [11:18] Executive director loneliness and ways to find support
- [13:58] Building authentic peer networks as nonprofit leaders
- [17:13] Reducing “fillers” and prioritizing what really matters
- [24:47] Community-centric versus donor-centric fundraising models
- [27:11] How to move towards community-centric fundraising
- [30:17] Shifting language to build dignity and inclusion
- [32:48] Boundaries, authenticity, and modeling healthy leadership
- [36:58] Fundraising myths we need to retire
NOTEWORTHY QUOTES
“I believe in equity and in centering the lived experience and autonomy of our service users as a sector.” – Maria Rio
“Make time for strategy and make it part of your mission in a way that is tangible.” – Maria Rio
“ Community-centric fundraising is a model that is grounded in social justice.” – Maria Rio
RESOURCES
Your 9-step guide to ditching donor-centricity to actually effect systemic change
E2: A New Approach to Fundraising And Resource Gathering with Zoot Velasco
E35: The Fractional Fundraising Movement with Cindy Wagman
The EmC Masterclass developed by Dr. Lola Gershfeld is for everyone looking to enhance their communication and collaboration skills to raise more revenue for their mission. This groundbreaking Emotional Connection process has been integrated into top universities’ curriculum and recognized by international organizations like ICF HRCI, and SHRM. Use the code LEADWITHHEART to enjoy a generous 10% discount.
Imagine a fundraising partner that not only helps you raise more money but also supports you in retaining your donors. A partner that helps you raise funds both online AND on-location. Donorbox is a comprehensive suite of tools, services, and resources that gives fundraisers, just like you, a custom solution to tackle your unique challenges. Helping you…help others. Visit donorbox.org to learn more.
CONNECT WITH MARIA
LinkedIn: Maria Rio
Website: https://www.gofurthertogether.ca/
Podcast: The Small Nonprofit Podcast
CONNECT WITH HALEY
Haley is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), Certified Stress Management Coach, and Certified EmC train the trainer. She is the Founder of The Savvy Fundraiser, a nonprofit consulting and coaching business. She has worked in both small and large nonprofit teams in the human services, homelessness, and youth sectors; and she specializes in the EmC process, nonprofit leadership, board development, and fundraising. Haley is a passionate, impact-driven, experienced nonprofit professional whose mission is to empower, elevate and engage nonprofit leaders to build healthy, thriving organizations.
Instagram: @thesavvyfundraiser
LinkedIn: Haley Cooper, CFRE
Website: thesavvyfundraiser.com
This episode is sponsored by Donorbox
As the fundraising engine of choice for over 80,000 organizations in 90+ countries, Donorbox’s easy-to-use fundraising tools help you raise more money in more ways. Seamlessly embed a customizable donation form into your website that reduces donor drop-off with a 4x faster checkout, launch a crowdfunding or peer-to-peer campaign, sell event tickets, raise funds on the go with Donorbox Live™ Kiosk, and much more.
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