Investment Ready: Thriving Non-Profits

We talk with Kristi Rivait, co-founder of Scale Collaborative about what it really takes for nonprofits, charities, co-ops, and social enterprises to become financially strong and ready for investment. We dig into mindset shifts, diversified revenue, and why capacity building is the fastest path off the grant hamster wheel.  Scale Collaborative as “infrastructure” for the social change sector  Four pillars: Thriving Non-Profits cohorts, activation support, access to capital, and research through the institute  Scarcity mindset and why leaders feel they cannot spend on themselves  Earned income and revenue diversification to increase impact and stability  The access to capital gap and why non-profits are seen as risky  Why boards need an entrepreneurial lens to support smart risk  How Alberta community foundations helped scale the program online during COVID  Why sending an ED, senior staff, and a board member changes outcomes  Reframing “not for profit” as mission first, not profit banned  Ways organizations and funders can partner, share, and amplify the work  About Our Guest Kristi Rivait brings 20+ years of executive-level experience in the non-profit sector. In 2014, she co-founded Scale Collaborative and is their Director of Partnerships and Programs. Kristi is renowned for her expertise in organizational transformation, sustainable financial growth and building community wealth. Kristi has coached and empowered hundreds of nonprofits to achieve greater operational and societal impact through diversified revenue, scaling programs, asset and real estate acquisition, social enterprise, partnerships, and investment. Kristi co-developed Thriving Non-Profits, initially a local initiative in Victoria, BC. Over the past three years, she has scaled the Thriving Non-Profits revenue diversification leadership program across Canada and transformed it from a single program into one of the country’s leading non-profit and social enterprise innovation and learning hubs. Kristi is the co-founder and Board Chair of the Thrive Impact Fund. This  impact-first fund provides patient, flexible capital to non-profits, charities, co-ops, and social enterprises across BC and allows investors to achieve financial returns while create deep positive impact in their communities. Kristi was awarded the runner-up for Non-Profit Leader of the Year in 2022 for BC Business and is a TEDx Speaker.  What is Give Amplify Connect? There’s a story behind every action. Give Amplify Connect is a podcast from the Wolfe Pack Warriors Foundation that gives a voice to the Alberta-based charitable organizations creating community impact, changing lives, and making a difference. Driven by honest conversations with host Kristy Wolfe, it’s a chance for passionate changemakers to share their story.  Learn more at wolfepackwarriors.com Podcast music used with artist permission "Okay" by Ellen Braun