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In this episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, Maria is joined by Caitlin McBride to discuss how nonprofit fundraisers can transition smoothly into the new year after the year-end fundraising rush. They share strategies for celebrating success, reflecting on what worked, and setting yourself up for long-term sustainability—without burning out. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the reset of a new fiscal year, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you start 2025 with confidence.

Key Topics Covered:

• Celebrating year-end wins
• Avoiding the post-year-end slump
• Practical ways to reflect and improve for next year
• How to fill your own cup as a fundraiser
• Creative ways to show gratitude to donors

Actionable Tips:

➜ Take time to celebrate your achievements—big and small.
➜ Document key insights from your year-end campaign to reference later.
➜ Start the year with activities that energize and inspire you.
➜ Show gratitude to your donors and supporters in thoughtful ways.
➜ Give yourself grace—fundraising is a long game, and every step matters.

Connect with Us:

• Connect with Maria Rio
• Connect with Caitlin McBride
• Further Together Website

Subscribe and Review:

Don’t forget to subscribe to The Small Nonprofit Podcast on your favorite platform! Leave a review to help us reach more listeners and continue providing valuable insights. Watch this episode on YouTube.

Support the Podcast:

Support these conversations by donating here.

Coming Next Week:

Join us next week as Caitlin and Maria share fundraising trends in 2025. Tune in for practical tips to start the new year strong and set yourself up for success! 🚀

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Get clarity with 10 simple questions. Your answers will reveal how burned out you are, and more importantly, what to do next.

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In this episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, host Maria Rio dives into the Five Pillars of Great Fundraising, a powerful framework to help nonprofits assess and optimize their fundraising strategies. Maria explains how nonprofit leaders can evaluate their efforts, identify gaps, and implement changes that lead to sustainable growth. Whether you're working with a small team or looking to refine your fundraising approach, this episode provides practical, actionable insights to maximize your impact.

Key Topics Covered:

• Prospecting & one-to-one fundraising
• Digital fundraising & lead generation
• One-to-many fundraising campaign
• Crafting a strong unique value proposition
• Branding & trust building for fundraising success

Actionable Tips:
➜ Choose one pillar to focus on: Start with the area that needs the most improvement.
➜ Track & analyze key metrics: Set up a system to monitor progress and make data-driven decisions.
➜ Gather feedback: Engage donors, staff, and volunteers to refine your approach.
➜ Optimize & iterate: Use insights to adjust and enhance your fundraising strategy.
➜ Celebrate small wins: Recognize progress and share successes internally and externally.

Connect with Us:

• Connect with Maria Rio
• Further Together Website

Subscribe and Review:

Don’t forget to subscribe to The Small Nonprofit Podcast on your favorite platform! Leave a review to help us reach more listeners and continue providing valuable insights. Watch this episode on YouTube.

Support the Podcast:

Support these conversations by donating here.

Coming Next Week:

Join us next week as Caitlin and Maria share how to celebrate your year-end success without feeling overwhelmed as you start fresh. Don’t miss this episode on setting yourself up for a strong new year! 🚀

Support the show

Send Maria a text HERE :)

In this episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, Maria sits down with Caitlin McBride, an experienced fundraiser and consultant, to discuss the unique challenges and opportunities of being a one-person fundraising department. Caitlin shares her journey from working in large fundraising teams to becoming the sole fundraiser at small nonprofits. She provides actionable insights on setting up systems, avoiding burnout, and leveraging technology to maximize efficiency. If you’re a nonprofit professional juggling multiple roles, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you thrive.

Key Topics Covered:

• Embrace systems and technology
• Get comfortable with decision-making
• Set boundaries and manage expectations
• Prioritize self-care without guilt
• Know when to ask for help

Actionable Tips:

➜ Build a strong support network: Connect with other fundraisers, listen to industry podcasts, and seek mentorship.
➜ Leverage free and low-cost tech: Use tools like TechSoup for nonprofit discounts on software and services.
➜ Create a case for support: Having a well-written document makes grant writing and donor outreach much more efficient.
➜ Audit and organize your CRM: Clean data and standardized tracking can save hours of work.
➜ Educate your board & ED: Set clear expectations about what’s realistic for a one-person fundraising team.

Resources:

• Are you burnt out? QUIZ
• Reboot
• MASadvice

Connect with Us:

• Connect with Maria Rio
• Connect with Caitlin McBride
• Further Together Website

Subscribe and Review:

Don’t forget to subscribe to The Small Nonprofit Podcast on your favorite platform! Leave a review to help us reach more listeners and continue providing valuable insights. Watch this episode on YouTube.

Support the Podcast:

Support these conversations by donating here.

Coming Next Week:

Join us next week as Maria shares her insights on measuring success and making data-driven decisions! 🚀

Support the show