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The 2025 Changemaker Wellbeing Index Report shows that 30% of nonprofit workers are experiencing food insecurity. This new study confirms what so many in our sector already feel every day: burnout, financial strain, and constant pressure.

In this episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, Maria Rio is joined by Caitlin McBride, CFRE, a fundraising executive with over a decade of experience. Together, they unpack Future of Good’s 2025 Change Maker Wellbeing Index and what it reveals about food security, mental health, and overall wellbeing across Canadian nonprofits.

Burnout in Nonprofits - The Highlights:

1. We’re not in alignment with our values
   The study found that about 30% of nonprofit staff are experiencing food insecurity. Many organizations try to fight poverty in the community while it is happening inside their own four walls.
2. Wellbeing is alarmingly low
   In arts, culture, and recreation, nearly half of staff reported poor wellbeing. Government-linked organizations like schools and hospital foundations reported lower but still concerning rates.
3. Leadership and frontline experiences are different
   About half of entry-level and frontline staff reported poor wellbeing, compared to about 30% in senior leadership. Power, pay, and job security shape stress in very different ways.
4. Turnover creates sector-wide brain drain
   More than 70% of entry-level staff who quit nonprofit roles leave the sector entirely. That is loss of experience, momentum, and future leadership.
5. The future of the sector is at risk without change
   If early-career staff burn out and leave, organizations lose continuity and capacity. Sustainable missions require sustainable workplaces.

🎧 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!

✨ Key Quote

“Doing good does not put food on the table. Just because someone wants to make a difference does not mean it should come at the expense of their health or financial security.” – Caitlin McBride

Burnout in Nonprofits: 3 Actionable Tips

1. Compete on decent work
   If salary increases are limited, pull other levers: four-day work weeks, flexible schedules, real time off, meeting caps, and workload boundaries. However, if you can raise pay do it.
2. Invest in systems for stability
   Track attrition, build simple budgets, create documented processes, and plan beyond year-end. Stable systems reduce chaos and protect staff wellbeing.
3. Make wellbeing a core sustainability strategy
   Treat staff health and security as mission-critical. Align internal practices with external values so your team experiences the dignity your programs promise.

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Small nonprofits deserve BIG support. However, many fundraisers stumble while trying one to one relationships with major donors without it feeling fake, forced, or transactional. Fundraising is not sales; it is matchmaking. At the heart of every major gift is a shared why: the values and experiences that connect you, your mission, and your donors.

In this episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, Maria Rio breaks down how small nonprofits can shift their mindset about major gifts, move past common fears, and start building authentic, lasting relationships with donors.

Major Gifts for Small Nonprofits: The Highlights

1. Fundraising Begins With Your Why
   Donors are not just buying into what your organization does - they are connecting with why you do it. Leading with your “why” helps you find alignment and build deeper trust.
2. Limiting Beliefs Hold Fundraisers Back
   Common fears like "I don’t know how to ask," "I don’t know wealthy people," or "fundraising feels like begging" stop many from even trying. Naming and reframing these beliefs is the first step to moving past them.
3. Fundraising Is Not Begging - It Is Partnership
   Begging means asking for something in exchange for nothing. Fundraising is offering donors a chance to live in alignment with their values and invest in the world they want to see. Lean into the psychology of fundraising.
4. Rejection Is Not the End
   A no does not mean rejection of you or your cause - it simply means the timing or priority is not right for the donor. Every no gets you closer to a stronger yes.
5. Communication Goes Beyond Words
   How you show up matters more than a perfect script. Your tone, presence, body language, and ability to listen all play a bigger role in building donor confidence and connection than memorized lines.

🎧 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!

✨ Key Quote from Maria:
"Fundraising is not about convincing someone to give - it is about connecting them to a mission they already care about." - Maria Rio

Major Gifts for Small Nonprofits: 3 Actionable Tips

1. Reframe Fundraising as Matchmaking
   Think of yourself as the bridge between a donor’s values and your cause. You are not selling - you are introducing two parties who already belong together.
2. Use the FORM Framework to Build Rapport
   Ask about Family, Occupation, Recreation, and Material interests to find common ground. Share about yourself too so it feels like a genuine relationship, not an interview.
3. Anchor Every Ask in a Clear Story
   Focus on one problem, one solution, one result, and one impact. This keeps the conversation simple and powerful while helping donors clearly see the role they can play.

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Growing your organization is about smarter, easier touchpoints. It’s about how small nonprofits can show up where people already are, build real connection, and grow a brand that attracts donors, partners, and advocates.

In this episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, host Maria Rio is joined by Christa Stelzmuller, Chief Technology Officer at Charity: Water. Christa brings a wealth of experience leading technology, product, and data innovation at one of the world’s most recognized nonprofits. Together, they dig into how nonprofits can use technology and partnerships to deepen empathy, engage new audiences, and grow sustainable revenue.

Audience Building for Nonprofits: The Highlights

1. Nonprofits don’t need to compete for scraps:
   The real opportunity is to expand generosity overall. Whether through brand partnerships, tech, or social enterprise models, the sector wins when the giving pie gets bigger.
2. Trust is a built-in nonprofit advantage:
   Strict reporting and transparency requirements give nonprofits credibility that influencers or corporations cannot always guarantee.
3. Technology can drive revenue, not just costs:
   At Charity: Water, tech is seen as a way to build donor products, deepen engagement, and grow giving - not just an overhead line item.
4. Partnerships are powerful growth tools:
   From influencers to retail experiences, nonprofits can use creative partnerships to show up in everyday spaces where people already spend their time and money.
5. Long-term sustainability matters:
   Unlike corporate campaigns, nonprofits are designed to deliver solutions that last. We’re experts at building trust with communities and donors who want to see their dollars have real staying power.

🎧 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!

Audience Building for Nonprofits: ️ 3 Actionable Tips

1. Know your audience
   Get clear on who you are trying to reach and where they spend their time. Local nonprofits may focus on community events, while larger ones might lean on digital strategies.
2. Experiment with partnerships
   You don’t need a global brand to start. Partner with a coffee shop, an influencer, or a local business to amplify your message and create new touchpoints.
3. Lead with transparency
   Share stories, impact data, and even challenges openly. Donors want to see not just where their money went, but how it created change.

Resources and Links

• Connect with our host, Maria Rio
• Connect with our guest, Christa Stelzmuller
• Check out Charity: Water website!
• Watch this episode on YouTube
• Support our show. We are fully self-funded!
• Need help with your fundraising?
• Liked this episode? Have an idea? Send us a text HERE :)

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Storytelling is the heartbeat of nonprofit fundraising - and now, AI is giving organizations new ways to capture and share those stories while still keeping a human touch at the center.

In this episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, Maria Rio sits down with Gustavo Zylberberg, Co-founder and CEO of Vitalcy, an AI-powered alumni engagement platform helping nonprofits reconnect with their communities, strengthen relationships, and unlock new donor support.

AI Storytelling in Nonprofits - The Highlights:

1. Bandwidth is the biggest barrier
   Most nonprofits are not resisting AI - they are just stretched too thin to explore it. Lack of time and staff capacity is the real challenge.
2. AI strengthens community ties
   When used well, AI can capture and amplify personal stories that reconnect alumni or past participants with a mission, turning memories into renewed engagement and donor support.
3. Fear is normal, but not permanent
   Nonprofits may hesitate because AI feels overwhelming or too big. Starting small and experimenting is the best way to push past fear and discover practical value.
4. Ethical storytelling still matters most
   AI can make processes faster, but human review and dignity safeguards are critical. Technology should enhance authenticity, not replace it.
5. AI is an enabler, not a replacement
   Just like the internet transformed nonprofit work, AI is becoming part of daily operations. But the human relationships at the heart of fundraising will always remain.

🎧 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!

✨ Key Quote

“Fundraising is human work at its core. AI should never erase that – it should help nonprofits do it more authentically, more efficiently, and at greater scale.” – Gustavo Zylberberg

Actionable Tips for Nonprofit Leaders to Harness AI Effectively:

1. Start small with curiosity
   Go into tools like ChatGPT and ask simple questions about how they might make your job easier. You don’t need to overhaul everything, just dip your toes.
2. Train AI on your organization’s own messaging
   Whether it is appeals, alumni stories, or newsletters, the more you feed AI about your nonprofit, the more useful and accurate it becomes.
3. Pair efficiency with authenticity
   Use AI for first drafts or systems support, but keep a human voice and review in your storytelling. The goal is not speed for its own sake, but deeper connection with your community.

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Your top donors don’t just write big cheques; they could be folding newsletters in your conference room every Tuesday or serving on your board for the third consecutive year.

In this episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, we're exploring on what it means to steward supporters through a Community-Centric Fundraising lens. We're sharing ways we’ve shown gratitude to people who show up for your mission with time, talent, advocacy, and yes, dollars too. We challenge the traditional approach of stewarding people based solely on gift amounts and explore who really deserves your high-touch attention (spoiler: it's not just your $1,000+ donors).

1. Volunteers Are Major Donors in Disguise

Your regular volunteers are often contributing the equivalent of $15,000-$60,000 in staff time, yet most organizations don't steward them like major donors. That volunteer who designed your website for free? That's a $15,000 gift that deserves the same recognition as a financial contribution of that size.

2. Monthly Donors Deserve VIP Treatment

Even a $5 monthly donor should be in your major giving category. These supporters show incredible commitment and loyalty, and research shows they're likely to increase their giving over time. Plus, they're your best candidates for additional campaign gifts and planned giving opportunities.

3. Your Staff Are Subsidizing Your Mission

Every nonprofit staff member is essentially making a $20,000-$30,000 gift by accepting below-market wages. During the current hiring and retention crisis, treating staff with the same stewardship approach you'd use for major donors isn't just nice. It's smart business.

4. Longevity Matters More Than Single-Year Giving

A donor who's given $100 for five consecutive years is more valuable than someone who gave $500 once. Length of relationship and consistency of support are stronger indicators of future giving potential than one-time gift amounts.

5. Meaningful Stewardship Is About Connection, Not Cost

The most impactful stewardship often costs very little. A quick, personal email sharing a story you just heard can be more meaningful than an expensive branded gift. Authenticity trumps fancy materials every time.

Resources and Links

o Connect with our host, Maria Rio

o Connect with our cohost, Caitlin McBride

o Support our show. We are fully self-funded!

o Watch this episode on YouTube

o Need help with your fundraising?

o Liked this episode? Have an idea? Send us a text HERE :)

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Is your nonprofit struggling to turn DEI intentions into meaningful action?

Fear, burnout, and performative allyship often hold us back from creating truly equitable organizations. But what if we could move beyond discomfort into sustainable change?

In this episode, Maria sits down with Jonathan Meagher-Zayas, an equity educator and nonprofit consultant, to explore the real reasons why DEI work stalls and how to finally make it stick. They discuss power dynamics, fear of being "canceled," the broken board structure, and how small nonprofits can lead with community and strategy at the center.

Justice Work in Nonprofits: – The Highlights:

• Why traditional nonprofit boards are “a dysfunctional hot mess” (his words 😆)
• How fear paralyzes well-meaning teams and leaders
• The difference between being canceled and being held accountable
• 4 stages of meaningful equity work (Assessment → Acknowledgement → Learning → Action)
• How to center equity across fundraising, governance, and communications

🎧 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!

About Jonathan Meagher-Zayas:

Jonathan Meagher-Zayas is a global educator, equity strategist, and nonprofit consultant. With 14+ years in fundraising, DEI work, and community organizing, he now empowers nonprofits to assess their internal systems, build more inclusive strategies, and take meaningful action toward equity.

Actionable Tips for Nonprofit Leaders to Advance Equity:

➜ Start with an internal assessment: Before jumping into training or committees, assess your org's culture, systems, and staff perspectives to understand where change is most needed.

➜ Engage your community in the process: Talk to your staff, board, and the people you serve. Let their lived experiences guide your equity goals—not just checklists or trends.

➜ Invest in internal capacity: If you're asking people to lead DEI efforts, pay them, redistribute their workload, and give them authority—not just responsibility.

Resources and Links

• Connect with our host, Maria Rio
• Connect with our guest, Jonathan Meagher-Zayas
• 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 :)

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Social enterprises aren't only about earning or diversifying revenue; they’re key to finding creative, sustainable ways to advance your mission while serving your community with dignity.

In this episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, host Maria Rio chats with Tom Armitage, who has been leading The SEED, a project of the Guelph Community Health Centre, for almost 10 years. The SEED is dedicated to ensuring that everyone in the community has access to good food, and along the way they have built innovative programming, including a social enterprise, that rethink how nonprofits can deliver impact.

Meet the Guest

Tom Armitage is the driving force behind The Seed. With a background in agriculture and local food systems, not business, he is proof that passion and persistence matter more than waiting to get an MBA. Over nearly a decade, Tom has helped grow The SEED from a central food distribution idea into a multi-program social enterprise reaching thousands of people.

5 Key Takeaways

1. Start with Real Community Needs
   The SEED was born out of a lack of infrastructure in Guelph. Agencies were struggling with storage and distribution, while people facing poverty were subjected to invasive, stigmatizing processes. Centralizing food storage and access improved both dignity and efficiency.
2. Social Enterprise is Part of the Solution, Not the Whole Answer
   From the beginning, The SEED designed a wholesale program that took a small margin on food sales, stretching limited grant further. But Tom is clear - no single program fully funds itself. Social enterprises can reduce reliance on grants, but it does not automatically eliminate the need for funders and donors.
3. Pilot First, Scale Later
   The SEED did not dive into big projects overnight. They started small - like testing sliding-scale markets - then expanded when the model worked. This iterative approach minimized risk and made scaling more sustainable.
4. Speak the Language of Business
   By talking about margins, efficiencies, and outcomes, Tom found that funders and business leaders connect more easily with The SEED‘s mission. It builds credibility and opens new doors for partnerships.
5. Don’t Lose Sight of the Big Picture
   Even with impressive growth moving millions of dollars’ worth of food annually, Tom always brings conversations back to the root causes of food insecurity: poverty and income inequality. Programs help, but systemic change is what really solves the problem.

🎧 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!

3 Actionable Tips for Small Nonprofits & Fundraisers

1. Ask Tough Questions Before Launching a Social Enterprise
   Look at your fundraising strategy first and think carefully about your participants. Will charging for a service create barriers? If they aren’t your customers, who is? How will you reach them? Social enterprise should enhance your mission, not compete with it.
2. Start Small, Learn, and Grow
   Instead of going all-in, test your idea at a small scale. Use real-world results to refine the model and build a stronger case for funders when you are ready to expand.
3. Frame Impact in Business Terms
   When speaking to donors, funders, or local businesses, use language they understand - like ROI, efficiency, and value creation

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Relying on a fundraiser’s personal network isn’t a fundraising strategy; it’s a shortcut that can cost your nonprofit big in the long run.

In this episode, Maria Rio and Caitlin McBride unpack why this common hiring question is a major red flag, what it reveals about an organization’s approach to fundraising, and how small nonprofits can shift toward healthier, more sustainable donor relationships.

Meet the Hosts

• Maria Rio: Expert fundraiser with 10+ years of experience helping Executive Directors secure the funding they need without the overwhelm.
• Caitlin McBride: Certified Fundraising Executive with a decade of experience making fundraising less chaotic and more doable for small nonprofits.

5 Key Takeaways

1. Fundraising Is About Mission, Not Personal Rolodexes
   A fundraiser’s job is to connect donors to the mission, not just to themselves. The strongest relationships are built between donors and the organization’s cause, not one staff member.
2. “Who Do You Know?” Reveals Short-Term Thinking
   When nonprofits ask this, they’re often chasing quick wins instead of building long-term fundraising systems. It signals a lack of investment in donor stewardship.
3. It’s an Inequitable Expectation
   Not everyone has a wealthy, well-connected network. Tying job eligibility to personal privilege shuts out talented, values-aligned fundraisers from diverse backgrounds.
4. Over-Reliance on One Person is Risky
   If donor relationships live only with one fundraiser, they walk out the door when that person leaves. That’s a high-stakes gamble for any small nonprofit.
5. You Need Hunters AND Farmers
   Hunters go after big gifts fast; farmers cultivate relationships for the long haul. The best fundraising teams balance both approaches for sustainable growth.

🎧 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!

Key Quote:

“Focus on relationships between the mission and the donor, not just between the fundraiser and the donor.” – Caitlin McBride

3 Actionable Tips for EDs & Hiring Managers

• Hire for Relationship-Building Skills
  Ask candidates how they build, deepen, and sustain donor relationships. Skip the “who do you know” question; it doesn’t measure actual fundraising ability.
• Build Systems That Keep Donors Connected to the Mission
  Use stewardship processes, regular communication, and impact storytelling so donors feel invested in the cause regardless of staff changes.
• Prioritize Values Alignment Over Access to Wealth
  Fundraisers who share your mission’s values will build stronger, more authentic relationships that last – no matter who’s in their contact list.

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