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Nonprofit leaders are navigating an exceptionally difficult moment. Political uncertainty, financial uncertainty, the weight of leading through crisis, you name it. It's easy to feel isolated, numb, or like you're carrying it all alone. But the path ahead doesn't have to feel lonely. We're talking about finding your people and creating intentional spaces for joy, connection, and authentic dialogue.

On this week's episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, Maria sits down with Frank Velasquez Jr., founder of 4 Da Hood and the Ascending Leaders in Color leadership program. Frank shares practical strategies for accessing joy during challenging times, building meaningful peer networks, and using restorative circle practices to foster healthy conflict and deeper connection. Frank argues that healthy conflict, grounded in agreements, is essential for building trust, understanding, and authentic collaboration. This conversation offers a roadmap for leading with authenticity, vulnerability, and community.

Resources and Links:

• Connect with Frank: frank@4dahood.com
• Visit 4 Da Hood: www.4dahood.com

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• Connect with the show: Watch the episode on YouTube; follow Maria Rio on LinkedIn for more conversations and resources. Or support our show. We are fully self-funded!
• Book a Discovery Call with Further Together: Need help with your fundraising? See if our values-aligned fundraisers are a fit for your organization.

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Not every nonprofit mission comes with neat, quantifiable results. If your organization works in mental health, activism, research, or addiction recovery, you know that impact isn't always a tidy before-and-after story. But donors still want to understand the difference you're making... So how do you prove your impact when the work is complex, deeply personal, or still unfolding?

On this week's episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, hosts Maria Rio and Caitlin McBride tackle one of the biggest challenges small nonprofits face: demonstrating impact without relying solely on statistics. Maria and Caitlin share practical, low-cost strategies to communicate your value to donors, funders, and your community. From candid smartphone videos to emotionally resonant storytelling, you'll learn how to make your impact visible, even when it feels invisible.

Support the show

• Connect with the show: Watch the episode on YouTube; follow Maria Rio on LinkedIn for more conversations and resources. Or support our show. We are fully self-funded!
• Book a Discovery Call with Further Together: Need help with your fundraising? See if our values-aligned fundraisers are a fit for your organization.

Send us a text

What do you do when a government shutdown threatens to leave 70% of the families you serve without food? For Growing Up Green Charter Schools in Queens, New York, the answer was clear: respond immediately, mobilize resources fast, and support their community without losing sight of their educational mission.

In this episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, Caitlin McBride sits down with Erin Acosta, Director of Family Engagement and Communications at Growing Up Green Charter Schools. Erin shares how her team packed over 1,000 bags of groceries in just one month, mobilized volunteers across four school buildings, and secured emergency funding, all while maintaining their core educational programs. This conversation offers a powerful blueprint for any nonprofit facing the question: "Is this mission drift, or is this what our community actually needs right now?"

Visit their website: www.gugcs.org

Support the show

• Connect with the show: Watch the episode on YouTube; follow Maria Rio on LinkedIn for more conversations and resources. Or support our show. We are fully self-funded!
• Book a Discovery Call with Further Together: Need help with your fundraising? See if our values-aligned fundraisers are a fit for your organization.