From $0 to $2M! Scaling Nonprofits & Building Economic Resilience with Quilen Blackwell
Wondering how to make millions for your nonprofit? Join us for an inspiring conversation with Quilen Blackwell, co-founder of Chicago Eco House and Southside Blooms, as he shares how sustainability and social enterprise can transform communities. Quilen discusses his journey from starting with zero funds to running a $2 million nonprofit. Learn how his organization uses vacant lots to create solar-powered flower farms that employ at-risk youth, creating a self-sustaining business model that brings wealth and resilience to underserved communities. This episode is packed with insights into scaling a nonprofit, the power of human resources, and the critical lessons of running a mission-driven social enterprise. Scaling Nonprofits & Building Economic Resilience – The Highlights: How to transform vacant lots into thriving social enterprises. Building sustainable business models for nonprofit organizations. Overcoming challenges in human resources and culture building. How Southside Blooms converts customers into donors Leveraging social enterprise to create economic resilience. Lessons learned from scaling a nonprofit from $0 to $2M. 🎧 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 Quilen Blackwell:The Chicago Eco House, founded in 2014 by Quilen Blackwell, uses sustainability to combat poverty in Chicago’s inner city. Inspired by his family’s history and his experiences in Englewood, Quilen and his wife, Hannah, invested their own money to establish a headquarters and launch an off-grid flower farm in 2017. The initiative quickly grew, creating jobs and economic opportunities. Today, the organization operates multiple farms in Chicago and Detroit, along with Southside Blooms, an in-house flower shop, empowering communities through urban agriculture.Rosurces and Links: Connect with Maria Connect with Quilen: Personal Instagram, Southside Blooms, Chicago Eco House Chicago Eco House: Website Southside Blooms: Website Watch this episode on YouTube, subscribe and leave us a review!Liked this episode? Have an idea? Send us a text HERE :)Support the show
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DEI for Small Nonprofits: Getting REAL about Diversity, Equity & Inclusion with Michelle Okere
Does making your nonprofit feel inclusive seem impossible? Today, we're getting real about diversity, equity, and inclusion in our sector. Join host Maria Rio and Michelle Okere, an expert in nonprofit equity, diversity, and inclusion, as they discuss how communication and belonging play a crucial role in nonprofit success. Michelle shares her lived experience and practical strategies for embedding equity into organizational strategy and nonprofit governance. Learn how to build an inclusive culture, foster meaningful relationships, and empower underrepresented voices in your nonprofit.DEI for Small Nonprofits – The Highlights:The importance of communication in fostering inclusion and belonging.How to build trust and break down barriers in your nonprofit.The role of Indigenous representation in nonprofit leadership and governance.Creating meaningful land acknowledgments and EDI initiatives.Strategies to engage staff in nonprofit strategic planning and organizational growth.🎧 Listen to more episodes for actionable fundraising tips and insights on nonprofit leadership, nonprofit governance, donor engagement, productivity & tools, and nonprofit storytelling strategies!About Michelle Okere:In her consulting practice, Michelle has had the opportunity to work with organizations in cultivating inclusive workplaces that foster innovation, collaboration, and growth. Throughout her career, she's taken on various fulfilling roles, including serving as the former CEO of the Compassion House Foundation and co-founding the REET Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing equity and diversity in commercial real estate. Links and Resources: Michelle Okere (Linkedin): https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-okere/Michelle Okere (Twitter): @michelle0kereOkere & Associates (Website): https://www.okereandassociates.com/Compassion House Foundation: https://compassionhouse.org/Sustainable Style Company: https://sustainablestylecompany.com/Connect with Maria on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/mariario/Support the show: https://www.buzzsprout.com/208666/supporters/newWatch this episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/_8Av-EH2nY4 Liked this episode? Have an idea? Send us a text HERE :)Support the show
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Fundraising on LinkedIn: Strategies for Small Nonprofits with Michelle Benson
How about turning your LinkedIn profile into a powerful fundraising tool? Join Maria Rio and LinkedIn expert, Michelle Benson, as they share actionable strategies for nonprofits to build their digital presence and attract funders via LinkedIn. In this episode, Michelle discusses how to create content that actually enagges donors and funders as well as how to use the platform for donor prospecting and stewardship. Learn how to connect with funders, enhance your nonprofit’s visibility, and turn LinkedIn into a powerful tool for achieving your fundraising goals.Fundraising on LinkedIn – The Highlights:How to optimize your LinkedIn profile to attract funders and partners.Why LinkedIn is the ideal platform for donor prospecting and relationship building.How to spark conversations that lead to direct messages from funders.Tips for creating engaging LinkedIn content that drives donor engagement.How to use LinkedIn’s algorithm to enhance your nonprofit’s visibility and impact.🎧 Listen to more episodes for actionable fundraising tips and insights on nonprofit leadership, nonprofit governance, donor engagement, productivity & tools, and nonprofit storytelling strategies!About Michelle Benson:Michelle helps charity leaders and senior fundraisers use LinkedIn to fundraise – especially high value partnerships that you cannot reach off-line. She shows fundraisers and CEOs how to connect and start a relationship on-line and take that off-line, so you can cultivate the people you need to reach to an ask in a GDPR and human friendly way.Links and Resources: Connect with Michelle Benson on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-benson-creates-digital-pipelines/Check out the Website: https://www.cultureofphilanthropy.co/ Connect with Maria on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/mariario/Support the show: https://www.buzzsprout.com/208666/supporters/newWatch this episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/krjZ871CUoo Liked this episode? Have an idea? Send us a text HERE :)Support the show
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Why forced office returns backfire (and what smart leaders do instead)
Liked this episode? Have an idea? Send us a text HERE :) Subscribe for more episodes on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Mandatory office returns are back but are they actually helping us work better? In today's episode, we get real about task masking, quiet quitting, and the push-pull tension around remote work that every fundraiser and nonprofit leader is feeling right now. For many, being back at your desk doesn't mean you're actually getting more done; it might just mean you're playing the part. We dive into why forcing a return to office can create resentment, reduce productivity, and fuel resistance tactics like task masking. More importantly, we explore how nonprofits can shift to human-first workplace policies that actually make sense. Joining Maria today is Caitlin McBride, an experienced nonprofit leader who has been on both sides of this conversation. She's been remote, she's been hybrid, and she’s seen firsthand how rigid office policies can miss the mark. Together, we unpack the nuance around what makes for a healthy, productive work environment in our sector. Remote Working in Nonprofits – The Highlights 1️⃣ Task Masking is Real, and it’s Resistance, Not Laziness Task masking happens when employees "act busy" just to appear productive in office environments. It’s a way to push back against rigid mandates and surveillance-driven leadership. 2️⃣ Remote Work Is Proven. Stop Pretending It Doesn’t Work During the pandemic, we saw remote work boost wellbeing, widen talent pools, and help working parents and marginalized folks thrive. Ignoring this is ignoring evidence. 3️⃣ Not All Roles Need the Same Work Setup While fundraisers may not need to be desk-bound, early-career employees or socially isolated team members may benefit from face-to-face connection. Flexibility is key. 4️⃣ Micromanagement + Sunk Cost = Forcing Office Returns Some leaders push for office time due to control issues or because they’re stuck in long-term leases. Neither is a good enough reason to disrupt staff lives. 5️⃣ True Productivity Should Be Measured by Outcomes, Not Presence Warming a seat is not the same as delivering impact. Nonprofits need to measure real outcomes, not how often people walk past a manager's door. 🎧 Listen to more episodes for actionable fundraising tips and insights on nonprofit leadership, nonprofit governance, productivity & tools, and donor engagement strategies that work. We're here to eliminate nonprofit burnout and boost your donations! Resources and Links Connect with our host, Maria Rio Connect with our cohost, Caitlin McBride Support our show. We are fully self-funded! Watch this episode on YouTube Need help with your fundraising? Liked this episode? Have an idea? Send us a text HERE :)Support the show
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Major Gift Fundraising with Emma Lewzey
In this episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, Maria sits down with major gifts expert, Emma Lewzey, to bust myths, shift mindsets, and bring some much-needed clarity (and courage!) to one of fundraising’s most misunderstood areas. Whether you’re in a small shop or a national organization, this episode will remind you: you don’t need to be perfect to build authentic relationships; you just need to be curious, strategic, and a little bit brave. Major Gift Fundraising – The Highlights: Getting over the fear of asking for major gifts is about proportion: It’s not about the amount, it’s about alignment and impact. Your value as a nonprofit is real and tangible: You’re not “begging" - you’re offering a partnership that enables the donor to live out their values. Authenticity builds trust: Donors respond to transparency, not perfection. Fear and perfectionism are the biggest roadblocks: Don’t wait for the perfect case for support or phone script - start with what you have. Small shops have big advantages in major gifts: Easier to build personal relationships and offer meaningful donor impact. 🎧 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 Emma Lewzey: Emma Lewzey is an award-winning fundraiser with 25 years of nonprofit leadership experience. She launched her career in major gift fundraising in 2002, when she managed her first capital campaign for Canada’s largest 2SLGBTQ+ Community Centre. Emma has frontline fundraising experience across every size and type of nonprofit – including healthcare, arts, education, and human services - and is a veteran of campaigns from $5M to over $200M. She’s the founder and CEO at Blue Sky Philanthropy, where she works with fundraising teams to help them develop the skills, systems and strategies they need to raise more major gifts. Actionable Tips for Major Gift Fundraising: ➜ Reframe the ask: Believe you’re offering donors a meaningful way to live out their values. ➜ Lead the conversation: Enter donor meetings as a guide, not a guest. Prepare thoughtful questions that help them reflect on their values, goals, and motivations. ➜ Ditch the perfectionism: Use what you have and be transparent. If something’s missing (like impact data), tell the donor why and what support would help fix it. ➜ Stop labeling donors: Don’t assume someone’s capacity based on their first gift. A $50 donor could be a future $250K bequest if you engage them. ➜ Practice strategic curiosity: Use conversations to uncover alignment, not to “sell” a solution. Resources: Blue Sky Philanthropy Website Free Guide: Fill Your Fundraising Pipeline Connect with Us: Maria Rio – Connect on LinkedIn Emma Lewzey – Connect on LinkedIn Support the Podcast: Love these conversations? Support the podcast and help us continue to bring you actionable nonprofit insights by donating here. Don’t forget to subscribe to The Small Nonprofit Podcast for email updates Liked this episode? Have an idea? Send us a text HERE :)Support the show
About Small Nonprofit: Fundraising Tips, Leadership Strategies, and Community-Centric Solutions
Welcome to Small Nonprofit, the podcast designed for leaders, fundraisers, and advocates in the nonprofit sector who want to create real change. We provide small nonprofit organizations with strategies to enhance their fundraising campaigns, improve nonprofit governance, and implement ethical fundraising practices that resonate with today’s values-driven donors. Hosted by an experienced nonprofit consultant, Maria Rio, this show delves into the unique challenges of nonprofit fundraising and community-centric fundraising, providing tools for donor engagement and major gifts fundraising.👤 Who Should Listen?This podcast is perfect for anyone involved in a small nonprofit seeking practical advice on fundraising strategy, nonprofit leadership, and board accountability. Whether you're looking for innovative fundraising ideas for nonprofit organizations or trying to create an impact measurement framework that demonstrates your organization’s value, Small Nonprofit is here to guide you.🎤 Core Topics We CoverCommunity-Centric Fundraising: Learn how ethical fundraising practices can strengthen donor relationships, enhance donor engagement, and align your organization with values-based major giving principles. We’ll help you shift from a donor-centric model to one that prioritizes the community.Systemic Change and Governance: From participatory budgeting to nonprofit board of directors best practices, we explore how to navigate the nonprofit industrial complex and embrace structures that foster diversity in nonprofit leadership and board accountability.Preventing Nonprofit Burnout: Tackle topics such as nonprofit burnout prevention and learn how to cultivate a healthy, anti-oppressive work culture that supports your team’s well-being.Nonprofit Storytelling: Understand how to measure your nonprofit’s effectiveness through nonprofit impact measurement strategies and leverage nonprofit storytelling to create compelling narratives that attract donors.📣 Engaging Conversations and Real-World AdviceIn each episode, we bring you insights from experts in fundraising consulting, nonprofit grant writing, and capital campaign strategies. From interviews with fractional fundraisers and major gift officers to deep dives on fundraising tips and innovative fundraising ideas, we offer actionable advice that you can implement immediately to strengthen your organization’s impact.💰 Learn How to Build a Sustainable NonprofitEvery nonprofit leader faces the challenge of achieving financial sustainability. Our episodes address critical fundraising strategies for nonprofit organizations, providing insights on volunteer management, capacity building, and nonprofit marketing strategy. Gain access to tools that help you execute successful fundraising campaigns and build a foundation for long-term growth.🤝 Join the Movement for Systemic ChangeAt The Small Nonprofit, we’re committed to transforming the nonprofit sector from the ground up. Our focus on systemic change and community-centric fundraising aligns with our mission to support nonprofits in creating equitable, sustainable communities. By addressing topics like values-based decision making and nonprofit transparency, we’re working to build a more ethical, inclusive sector.❤️ Stay ConnectedSubscribe to Small Nonprofit on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your preferred podcast platform. Don’t miss an episode as we explore everything from fundraising tips to nonprofit social media strategy, and learn how you can become a stronger advocate for your organization’s mission.
Listen to Small Nonprofit: Fundraising Tips, Leadership Strategies, and Community-Centric Solutions, The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
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