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The Unfiltered Non-Profit: Leaders Share It All

The Unfiltered Non-Profit: Leaders Share It All

Auteur(s): Cherry Chan
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À propos de cet audio

 Dive into the real world of non-profit leadership. Hear inspiring stories and experiences of leaders, with a focus on examining their operations. Get a candid look at the challenges they face in managing successful non-profits. This podcast is all about the unfiltered journey of leading a non-profit and making a difference. Développement commercial et entrepreneuriat Entrepreneurship Gestion et leadership Économie
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  • What Sustainable Nonprofit Revenue Really Looks Like

    What Sustainable Nonprofit Revenue Really Looks Like
    Mar 26 2026

    In this episode of the Unfiltered Nonprofit Podcast, Cherry sits down with Melissa Ray, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Concord in the City Community Ability Initiative. Melissa shares how the organization supports adults with developmental disabilities through programs focused on independence, life skills, job skills, and community connection. She also explains the gap many families face once adults age out of school at 21 years old and why services like theirs matter so much.

    Melissa also gives a real look at what sustainable nonprofit revenue can look like in practice. One standout example is Concord in the City's coffee truck, which serves 300 to 400 customers every Saturday at the Brampton farmers market. It is not just a revenue stream. It is also a hands-on opportunity for people with disabilities to build confidence, develop job skills, and connect directly with the community.

    A big part of the conversation focuses on affordability for families. Melissa shares that Concord in the City has not raised membership fees since 2021, even as costs continue to rise. She explains that even a small increase of $10 a day would add up to roughly $100 more a month or $1,000 more a year for families, which is why the organization works so hard to grow fundraising, donations, and other community-based revenue instead.

    This episode is a strong reminder that nonprofits do not have to rely on one funding source to stay sustainable. Melissa shares practical examples of how Concord in the City is building a model that protects families, creates meaningful opportunities, and keeps the mission at the centre of every decision.

    • Melissa Ray on LinkedIn — Melissa Ray, Concord in the City Community Ability Initiative
    • Concord in the City on LinkedIn — Concord in the City
    • Instagram — @concordinthecity
    • Instagram — @concordcoffeeonthego
    • Facebook — Concord in the City
    • Website — concordinthecity.ca
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    25 min
  • 5 Things Nonprofits Need Before Fundraising Actually Works

    5 Things Nonprofits Need Before Fundraising Actually Works
    Mar 12 2026
    What actually makes fundraising work? Is it hiring one strong fundraiser? Is it a better gala? Is it sending more emails? In this episode of The Unfiltered Nonprofit Podcast, Cherry sits down with Sam Laprade, a fundraising leader with 30 years of experience helping charities strengthen fundraising, build better systems, and hire the right talent. This conversation is full of practical insight, but one message comes through loud and clear: fundraising is not a one-person job. Sam explains that a fundraiser cannot succeed without the right setup behind them. Passion alone is not enough. Successful fundraising requires strong systems, leadership support, board involvement, and a clear plan that the entire organization understands. Throughout the conversation, Sam shares where nonprofits often struggle. Many organizations hire a fundraiser but do not give them the foundation they need to succeed. Fundraising works best when the entire organization supports it — from leadership setting the tone, to board members opening doors, to strong internal systems like donor management tools and timely receipting. Another theme that comes up is how organizations focus their energy. Too many nonprofits pour resources into events while overlooking longer-term fundraising strategies like major gifts, monthly giving, and legacy giving. Those strategies take time to build, but they are often what create stability over the long run. Sam also brings a strong analytical perspective to fundraising. Her team analyzes donor data to help organizations better understand their supporters and identify patterns that influence future fundraising success. In many cases, that insight can be generated quickly, sometimes within 72 to 96 hours, by examining donor behavior and trends. Her work in recruitment also reveals how much demand there is for the right fundraising leadership. Since 2020, Sam has helped place 48 fundraising professionals, helping nonprofits find people who are the right fit for their culture, leadership team, and fundraising goals. One of the most practical moments in the conversation is when Sam explains the five pieces nonprofits need working together for fundraising to truly succeed: a strong strategic plan, a clear case for support, a fundraising plan, a stewardship plan, and a communications plan. When those five pieces align, organizations create a system where fundraising can actually grow. One of the strongest takeaways from the conversation is the tension many nonprofits face every day. Leaders are trying to deliver programs now while also building the revenue needed for the future. How do you keep delivering today while still investing in tomorrow? And what happens when no one is thinking beyond the next campaign? This episode is a thoughtful listen for nonprofit leaders who want to move fundraising from reactive to strategic, and build something more sustainable over the long term.
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    29 min
  • How This Outside of the Box Social Enterprise Is Offsetting $1 Million in Costs

    How This Outside of the Box Social Enterprise Is Offsetting $1 Million in Costs
    Feb 26 2026
    In this episode of The Unfiltered Nonprofit Podcast, Cherry sits down with Adam Joiner, CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa—an organization with 100 years of history and a big mission: creating safe, supportive spaces where kids and youth can grow into who they want to be. Adam's story is the kind you don't hear every day. He first walked into the Club at nine years old, nervous and unsure if he belonged. A staff member invited him to play ball hockey, and that small moment changed everything. What started as 40 minutes at the Club became a second home—and eventually, a career where Adam worked his way through multiple roles and locations before becoming Executive Director in May 2020, right in the middle of the pandemic. The conversation gets real about what nonprofit leadership actually looks like: carrying the weight of responsibility caring deeply while knowing you can't do everything and trying to build something sustainable in a world where needs keep rising Adam shares a key reality: about 90% of their program funding comes from fundraising. That means the Club's ability to serve more kids often comes down to one thing—revenue. He also talks about a tough decision the organization faced in 2023, when inflation and rising costs forced a 25% service cut, including closing a location and reducing staffing. But this isn't just a story about cuts—it's also about rebuilding. Adam explains how they're growing sustainability through social enterprise, including renting Club and camp spaces to offset costs. Today, that revenue helps offset about $1 million in expenses, with a goal to increase that over time so they can serve more kids. This episode is a strong listen for anyone leading a nonprofit who's trying to balance mission, money, and the long game—without losing heart.
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    27 min
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