I am so excited to welcome Maria Rio to the podcast! Maria is the founder of Further Together, a fundraising consultancy helping nonprofit leaders raise money without stress, scarcity, or burnout. As a former refugee and user of charitable services, Maria brings powerful lived experience to her equity-driven approach to fundraising.

With over 15 years of leadership experience, Maria is a sought-after speaker, writer, and advocate for community-centric fundraising. In this conversation, we explore what an equitable nonprofit sector could look like, how leaders can avoid burnout, and practical ways to transform fundraising into a partnership model rooted in dignity and inclusion.

In this episode:

[03:01] What an equitable nonprofit sector looks like
[06:42] Why advocacy is often missing from nonprofits
[11:18] Executive director loneliness and ways to find support
[13:58] Building authentic peer networks as nonprofit leaders
[17:13] Reducing “fillers” and prioritizing what really matters
[24:47] Community-centric versus donor-centric fundraising models
[30:17] Shifting language to build dignity and inclusion
[32:48] Boundaries, authenticity, and modeling healthy leadership
[36:58] Fundraising myths we need to retire

RESOURCES

Your 9-step guide to ditching donor-centricity

E2: A New Approach to Fundraising And Resource Gathering with Zoot Velasco

E35:

Send Haley a suggestion or request via text HERE!

My book, Sow, Grow, Lead is live on Amazon! It shares my journey of starting a nonprofit in Malawi and offers practical strategies for nonprofit leaders to create real impact.

As the fundraising engine of choice for over 80,000 organizations in 90+ countries, Donorbox’s easy-to-use fundraising tools help you raise more money in more ways. Seamlessly embed a customizable donation form into your website that reduces donor drop-off with a 4x faster checkout, launch a crowdfunding or peer-to-peer campaign, sell event tickets, raise funds on the go with Donorbox Live™ Kiosk, and much more. Learn more at donorbox.org

Dr. Lola Gershfeld’s EmC Masterclass helps you boost communication skills to raise more revenue. Trusted by top universities and global organizations. Use code LEADWITHHEART for 10% off.

CONNECT WITH HALEY
Haley is a CFRE, Stress Management Coach, and EmC trainer. Founder of The Savvy Fundraiser, she brings experience in human services, homelessness, and youth nonprofits. She specializes in EmC, leadership, board development, and fundraising, empowering nonprofit leaders to build thriving organizations.
Instagram: @thesavvyfundraiser
LinkedIn: Haley Cooper, CFRE
Website: thesavvyfundraiser.com

Produced by Ideablossoms