It Doesn't Hurt to Ask!

There's a big difference between writing grant applications and writing grants that win – and it starts long before you put a single word on the page. In this episode, we're joined by Daniella Sorrentino, grant writer at The Fundraising Lab, who demystifies the grant writing process from start to finish. Whether you're brand new to grants or have been writing them for years, Daniella shares what organizations need to have in place before any writing starts, the most common mistakes that derail applications, and why losing a grant is always an opportunity to learn and improve. We cover: The top three things your organization needs before submitting any grant application Why grant writing is a collaborative translation process between your organization and funders How to handle grant declines and why asking "why" is the first step to winning next time The truth about storytelling versus data in grant applications – and why they're actually equally important How to prioritize which grants to pursue and recognize when a funder just isn't the right match for your organization If you're navigating the grant writing process, feeling overwhelmed by applications, or trying to improve your success rate, this episode offers practical insights on building strong grant programs that are strategic, collaborative, and based on real organizational clarity. Resources and links: Check out Daniella Sorrentino and host Cathy Mann on LinkedIn Book your Fundraising Growth Game Plan call Email us at [email protected] Subscribe to our email list Share this episode with a friend! Podcast editing and post-production by: Daniella Sorrentino at Feral Culture Lab (feralculturelab.com) Music: Intro and Outro Music is Fancy Free by Reveille https://app.soundstripe.com/songs/16267

There's no magic wand in fundraising – but there are smarter, more sustainable ways to build capacity without sacrificing your people or your mission in the process. In this episode, we sit down with Scott Williams, Executive in Residence at Capacity Canada and former Executive Director of Spectrum Waterloo Region's Rainbow Community Space. Scott shares candid insights from growing Spectrum from a volunteer-run organization to a stable nonprofit with a six-figure budget, including the personal cost of rapid scaling, the realities of burnout in the sector, and way fundraising often consumes far more of a leader's time than anyone expects. We cover: Why fundraising touches almost every part of an Executive Director's role and how to build systems that support sustainable growth How to choose fundraising tools and CRM systems based on future needs, not just current budget Aligning strategic planning, governance, communications and fundraising so your organization can grow without burning out your team If you're an Executive Director or nonprofit leader feeling stretched thin, navigating rapid growth, or trying to build fundraising capacity while managing everything else, this episode offers honest perspectives on what it really takes to scale sustainably. Resources and links: Check out Scott Williams, Erin Boyce and host Cathy Mann on LinkedIn Book your Fundraising Growth Game Plan call Email us at [email protected] Subscribe to our email list Share this episode with a friend! Podcast editing and post-production by: Daniella Sorrentino at Feral Culture Lab (feralculturelab.com) Music: Intro and Outro Music is Fancy Free by Reveille https://app.soundstripe.com/songs/16267

You don't need to have all the answers to be a successful fundraiser – but you do need the confidence to ask better questions and the right community to support you along the way. In this episode, hosts Cathy Mann and Erin Boyce sit down with Sarah Bass, former Manager of Fundraising Communications at Community Counseling Resource Center (CCRC) in Peterborough. Sarah shares her honest journey of falling into fundraising, inheriting a program without strategy, and navigating a database migration during the pandemic. From discovering her donor data wasn't as organized as she thought to learning how to communicate impact without client testimonials, this conversation is full of practical wisdom and reassurance that we're all "fumbling through" together. We cover: How to gain clarity on what actually moves the needle versus what just fills your calendar when you inherit a fundraising program The transformative power of strategic fundraising guidance and understanding what will "maximize your bang for your buck" Why your fundraising database and finance system serve different purposes and how to separate fundraising metrics from accounting reports Developing outcome-focused messaging that resonates when you can't use testimonials or client stories The importance of fundraising community and mentorship for combating isolation as a solo fundraiser If you're a solo fundraiser feeling overwhelmed, struggling with data management, or trying to refine your approach without clear direction, this episode offers practical advice and the reminder that you're not alone in this work. Resources and links: Check out Sarah Bass, Erin Boyce and host Cathy Mann on LinkedIn Book your Fundraising Growth Game Plan call Email us at [email protected] Subscribe to our email list Share this episode with a friend! Podcast editing and post-production by: Daniella Sorrentino at Feral Culture Lab (feralculturelab.com) Music: Intro and Outro Music is Fancy Free by Reveille https://app.soundstripe.com/songs/16267

Fundraising data problems aren't just annoying – they're strategic barriers to your fundraising success. In this episode, we're joined by Erin Boyce, Fundraising Lab's Data and Digital Director aka in-house database expert, who shares deep insights into why even the best fundraising plans can unravel without the right systems and processes in place. Together, we get real about the messy reality of managing fundraising data – from mismatched reports and inherited spreadsheets to donor management systems (CRMs) that don't integrate with your finance software. We also explore: Why your donor database is more than just a fancy Excel spreadsheet The often-tense but critical relationship between fundraising and finance teams What really matters when choosing and managing a fundraising database How investing in infrastructure saves time and enables better data analysis Strategies for bridging the gap between fundraising and finance data needs If you're struggling to get clean, usable fundraising data to report to leadership or your board, this episode is for you. Learn how smart systems and clear communication can make your fundraising stronger, smoother, and more strategic. Resources and links: Check out Erin Boyce and host Cathy Mann on LinkedIn Book your Fundraising Growth Game Plan call Email us at [email protected] Subscribe to our email list Share this episode with a friend! Podcast editing and post-production by: Daniella Sorrentino at Feral Culture Lab (feralculturelab.com) Music: Intro and Outro Music is Fancy Free by Reveille https://app.soundstripe.com/songs/16267

Landing corporate sponsorships isn't just about having the perfect sponsorship deck – it's about building relationships and understanding what businesses actually need from their investment. In this episode, we're joined by Logan Stengel as we discuss branching out from small-town sponsors to bigger corporate partnerships. If you've ever sent sponsorship packages into the void or struggled to get past online portals, this conversation explores how to shift from transactional asks to strategic business-to-business relationships that deliver real value for both parties. We cover: Why leading with a sponsorship deck can actually hurt your chances and how relationship-building creates better outcomes Understanding corporate sponsorship as a marketing investment and speaking to business goals and ROI Strategies for corporate donor cultivation including in-person networking, digital visibility, and getting in front of decision-makers before their budgets are spent How to customize sponsorship opportunities based on what sponsors actually care about, rather than presuming their needs Evaluating whether pursuing larger corporate sponsors is worth the additional time and sophistication required for your fundraising program If you're looking to grow your nonprofit sponsorship program beyond local businesses or struggling to connect with corporate decision-makers, this episode offers practical advice on building authentic corporate partnerships that support both your mission and their business objectives. Resources and links: Check out Logan Stengel and host Cathy Mann on LinkedIn Book your Fundraising Growth Game Plan call Email us at [email protected] Subscribe to our email list Share this episode with a friend! Podcast editing and post-production by: Daniella Sorrentino at Feral Culture Lab (feralculturelab.com) Music: Intro and Outro Music is Fancy Free by Reveille https://app.soundstripe.com/songs/16267