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In this episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, Maria chats with Sarah Ali, a digital-first fundraiser and founder of SA Digital, about Muslim philanthropy, digital mobilization, and how nonprofits can engage diverse communities through culturally competent fundraising strategies. Sarah shares her expertise on leveraging digital tools like WhatsApp and her insights on the growing role of Muslim giving in the nonprofit space.

Key Topics Covered:

• Muslim philanthropy & digital mobilization
• WhatsApp for fundraising & community building
• Cultural competency in nonprofit messaging
• Digital tools for engagement

Actionable Tips:

• Build culturally competent messaging: Engage with diverse leadership councils from within communities to create messaging that resonates and doesn’t feel tokenizing.
• Focus on hope-based communications: In times of crisis, highlight positive stories of hope and concrete actions donors can take. This approach can help reduce collective trauma and increase engagement.
• Innovate through cultural campaigns: If you’re considering engaging a community you don’t represent, start by listening, asking for feedback, and being transparent in your intentions. Seek advice from community leaders and organizations like the Muslim Philanthropy Network.

Resources Mentioned:

• Muslim Philanthropy Network Website
• SA Digital Website

Connect with Us:

• Connect with Maria
• Connect with Sarah

Tune in to this insightful episode to learn how nonprofits can embrace digital tools and cultural competency to strengthen their donor base and engage meaningfully with diverse communities.

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Coming Next Week:

Join us next week as we talk about trauma-informed storytelling with Maria Bryan!

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In this episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, Maria talks with Kamilah Martin, founder and CEO of Katalyst, about nonprofits adapting to the future of work. They discuss evolving work models, remote and hybrid setups, and innovative leadership strategies. Kamilah shares her journey from nonprofit executive to consultant and offers insights on piloting new initiatives, shared leadership, and overcoming resistance to change. Tune in for practical tips on how nonprofits can embrace the future of work.

Have you seen organizations successfully embracing innovation? Maria and Kamilah want to hear about them! Reach out and share your examples so we can highlight them on the podcast and learn from these organizations.

Key Topics:

• COVID-19's impact on work
• Shared leadership models and equity in remote work
• Challenges of piloting new ideas
• Fostering a culture of innovation

Quotable Moments:

• "We existed a certain way because that's all we knew. But COVID forced us to rethink that — and that opened up so many opportunities for innovation." – Kamilah Martin
• "Innovation for innovation's sake isn't enough. What are your goals? How do you evaluate if your pilot actually achieves what you want?" – Kamilah Martin
• "Nonprofits that innovate now will thrive in the next 20 years. Those that don’t will get left behind." – Kamilah Martin

Actionable Tips:

➜ Embrace Flexible Work Models: Involve program and admin staff in discussions on remote work equity, and find ways to offer flexibility, even to those in roles requiring in-person work (e.g., alternating schedules).
➜ Pilot Innovations with Clear Goals: Establish a finite timeline for pilots with an evaluation period at the end to determine if adjustments are needed.
➜ Leverage External Expertise: Don’t try to solve complex problems alone—engage consultants or experts in areas like change management, technology, or HR for quicker solutions.

Connect with Us:

• Connect with Maria
• Connect with Kamilah
• The Katalyst Website

Subscribe and Review:

Don’t forget to subscribe to The Small Nonprofit Podcast on your favorite platform. Please leave a review to help us reach more listeners and continue to provide valuable insights for nonprofit leaders.

Coming Next Week:

Join us next week with fundraising expert, Rhea Wong, as she shares how to build successful major gifts programs and boost your donations!

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In this episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, Maria sits down with Nina Horvath, Executive Director of the Coastal Jazz and Blues Society. Nina shares her insights into the fractional fundraising model, the benefits it has brought to her organization, and the challenges faced in arts fundraising. Together, they explore how fractional fundraising offers smaller nonprofits access to high-level fundraising expertise without the challenges of hiring a full-time development director.

Key Topics:

• Exploring Fractional Fundraising
• What are the pros and cons of working with a Fractional Fundraiser?
• The financial and intangible results of working with Fractional Fundraisers at Further Together

Quotable Moments:

• "The beauty of fractional fundraising is that you get the expertise you need at a fraction of the cost, which is perfect for small to mid-sized nonprofits"
• "As an ED, it can feel isolating. Having a fractional fundraiser who understands my challenges and offers valuable, outside perspective has been a personal and professional support"
• "We didn’t expect to double our individual giving in a year, but with a strategic approach and fresh ideas, we made it happen"

Actionable Tips:

➜ Consider Outsourced Supports: If you’re a small to mid-sized nonprofit struggling to find a full-time development director, fractional fundraising could give you access to senior-level expertise without breaking the bank.
➜ Set Realistic Expectations: Don’t expect to raise a million dollars overnight. Success in fundraising is about building momentum and balancing both short-term wins and long-term goals.
➜ Leverage the Expertise of a Fractional Fundraiser: Fractional fundraisers work with multiple organizations, which allows them to offer fresh insights and best practices from across the nonprofit sector.

Connect with Us:

• Connect with Maria
• Connect with Nina
• Coastal Jazz Website

Subscribe and Review:

Don’t forget to subscribe to The Small Nonprofit Podcast on your favorite platform. Please leave a review to help us reach more listeners and continue to provide valuable insights for nonprofit leaders.

Coming Next Week:

Join Maria as she discusses the future of work in the nonprofit sector with Kamilah Martin!

Support the show