The Nonprofit Curious Podcast For nonprofit founders, startups, and mission-centered do-good-ers!

#15 Inclusive Fundraising With Roger Devine

Diving into stories, software and strategies for inclusive fundraising! Join me with another guest episode! In this episode, I interview a seasoned fundraising local, Roger Devine. I hope you’ll enjoy our discussion on what brought him to the nonprofit space. He and I have so much overlap in our passion for the angels that walk the earth (you!! the early-stage, driven nonprofit leaders doing the GOOD WORK!).  He covers actionable strategies for making event-based fundraising equitable and accessible to supporters outside of the traditional top-tier donors, focusing on how organizations can build a broader base and ensure financial stability through challenging times like the 2008 recession and the COVID-19 pandemic. About Roger: Roger currently lives in Portland, Oregon, and loves all dogs on the planet. (Green flag in my book!) Roger is a co-founder of Northworld, the developer and distributor of the award-winning SchoolAuction.net auction management software. Roger has 30+ years of experience working in software, website development, and publishing. He has chaired at least 30 auctions over the past 20 years and has served on the boards of several area nonprofits, including K9 Kavalry and the Golden Leaf Education Foundation.  In our chat, we uncover bits of his software background and his viewpoints on inclusive fundraising. I enjoyed reflecting together on how nonprofit fundraising has both changed and what’s stayed the same over the years. Around minute 17, he walks you through what using School Auction software and support looks like (feel free to jump there and listen if you want to get straight to it). If you haven’t run an auction for a fundraising event, even if you aren’t ready to run one yet, it’s a helpful listen to learn some of the key pieces and ideas that go into a successful fundraising event. I hope you enjoy this episode. I loved recording it and will likely reinvite Roger to come back to the podcast! (So leave questions below or send me a message at melissa.pursuitofpurpose@gmail.com) Lastly, don’t wait to analyze and plan for your fall/winter fundraising strategy now! Summer can be a time for potent reflection and strategic realignment. Listen and let me know what you think! To support this podcast please like, share, subscribe! #InclusiveFundraising #CommunityFirst #NonprofitGrowth #FundraisingTips #NonprofitSuccess Connect with School Auction (not just for schools!!) to see what they’re all about!: * www.schoolauction.net [https://www.schoolauction.net/] * @SchoolAuction.net | Facebook [https://www.google.com/url?source=gmail&sa=E&q=https://www.facebook.com/SchoolAuction/] * @schoolauction | Instagram [https://www.google.com/url?source=gmail&sa=E&q=https://www.instagram.com/schoolauction] * @schoolauction | X [https://www.google.com/url?source=gmail&sa=E&q=https://x.com/schoolauction] * @SchoolAuction.net | LinkedIn [https://www.google.com/url?source=gmail&sa=E&q=https://www.linkedin.com/company/schoolauction/] * @schoolauction.bsky.social | Bluesky [https://www.google.com/url?source=gmail&sa=E&q=https://bsky.app/profile/schoolauction.bsky.social] * @schoolauction | Threads [https://www.google.com/url?source=gmail&sa=E&q=https://www.threads.com/%40schoolauction]

#14 Inspired Reflections

Hi friends, I am so thrilled to bring you this solo episode. I reflect on the lessons learned, ways I am inspired and the actions I am taking after hosting the last 4 guest episodes! First, I talk about the Hoop Academy led by my friend Kingston. His passion and gusto for what he’s doing really ignited a fire in me to feel inspired about using my past and personal story to support more good in this world. Second, Layton from 4 A Purpose Financial shared his story and how he got into a for-profit financial role that his dream is to support individuals who want to do more good with their finances. His goal is to support nonprofit leaders to get their dollars to be supportive of the futures they envision for their lives and their families. If you’ve ever taken a pay cut for the sake of your organization’s purpose, please listen to episode #11! It is an unfortuate reality in the nonprofit space, and something I want to see changed, but until then, let’s be so wise in navigating the dollar to be leveraged with utmost integrity and strategy. Third, I interviewed Ari from Circle of Hope. Ari is such a powerhouse! Go listen to episode #12. Seriously. One of my very favorites! Ari shares how her unconventional path of getting to her executive director role at the nonprofit, Circle of Hope. She shares her passion for aiding people experiencing homelessness to hopefully come out of homelessness and that there are ways for everyday people to get involved with your nonprofit community. Fourth, I interviewed my friends from Resilience Consulting on SROI. Social Return on Investment. It’s how you measure what matters even when the “what” you are doing might feel hard to measure. We discuss and dive into how measuring impact can increase your donor relationships and dollar amounts from individuals and foundations. Listen to episode #13 if you need tactical steps to improve your metrics and learn to measure what matters. Finally, I wanted to say that if you listen to the Nonprofit Curious podcast, please rate and leave a review! Share it with your friends and colleagues. It helps me support great organizations like yours. If you’re interested in being in the inner circle with me, subscribe! Paid substack memebers get a discount this summer with the code SummerSpecial26. Thanks so much for listening to the podcast. I truly value each and every one of you. You’re not just numbers on my dashboard, but I love to see where you are and what your organizations are up to! Rooting for you, Melissa Rivera Host of the Nonprofit Curious Podcast

#13 SROI - A Game Changer

Most nonprofit impact assessments overlook a crucial question: How do you effectively measure the real social value of your work?  Join me in a very nerdy, deep dive chat with Evelyn and John from Resilience Consultants reveal an innovative approach grounded in the methodology of Social Return on Investment (SROI). We dive right in and then wrap up with their stories which inspire me so much. This episode is for anyone seeking to prove, improve, and communicate the true impact of their programs—whether you’re a small startup or a large organization aiming for more sustainable growth. John and Evelyn break down a complex metric and give you SIMPLE tips to take action.  Imagine turning your impact stories into solid, quantifiable data that funders trust—unlocking funding increases of up to 168% and revealing unexpected benefits along the way. Evelyn and John break down how SROI works, speaking directly to nonprofit leaders, fundraisers, and social entrepreneurs eager to translate empathy and anecdotal evidence into compelling financial and social metrics. You’ll discover how this approach can refine your program design, expand partnerships, and create powerful feedback loops that continuously inform your strategy.In this conversation, you’ll explore: * How SROI quantifies social impact beyond traditional metrics, capturing community-wide benefits like lower crime rates and increased civic engagement * Practical steps to integrate impact measurement into grant writing, annual reports, and strategic planning * The importance of being conservative yet transparent—and how negative or break-even SROI isn’t a failure but a vital insight * Ways to adapt this analysis for organizations of any size and across diverse focus areas, from homelessness to education and beyond Why does this matter?  Failing to measure your impact leaves funding and strategy blind spots, risking sustainability and growth. Conversely, mastering impact assessment with SROI offers a competitive edge—empowering your organization with data that drives better decisions, stronger fundraising, and greater community trust. Ready to transform your nonprofit’s story into a compelling, data-backed narrative? This episode equips you with a proven framework to elevate your organization’s effectiveness today. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to scale, Evelyn and John provide the essential tools to prove that your work truly makes a difference—and ensure it continues to do so. Visit resilienceconsultants.co to connect with John and Evelyn, or reach out via email at john.mcgah.consultant@gmail.com and evlyn.bagley.consultant@gmail.com. Embrace the power of impact measurement—listen now and start turning your social impact into measurable, actionable results. To support this podcast please like, share, subscribe! And a big thank you to LivBody for the opportunity to be a brand ambassador. We are excited to share and shop your clean products to keep up the good work!  Use this link [https://livbody.com/?ref=Melissa] and use discount code Melissa when you shop to support the show!

#12 Nonprofit Partnerships with Circle of Hope

Listen in on Executive Director, Ari Barbanell's journey into the nonprofit space as she advocates for those experiencing homelessness in the Greater Boston Area! Connect with Ari & Circle of Hope: 1. Circle of Hope’s Website: circleofhopeonline.org [http://circleofhopeonline.org/] 2. Donate: https://www.circleofhopeonline.org/donateonline [https://www.circleofhopeonline.org/donateonline] 3. Volunteer Info: https://www.circleofhopeonline.org/volunteer [https://www.circleofhopeonline.org/volunteer] 4. Social Media FB: https://www.facebook.com/CircleOfHopeNeedham/ [https://www.facebook.com/CircleOfHopeNeedham/] INSTA: https://www.instagram.com/circleofhopeneedham [https://www.instagram.com/circleofhopeneedham] Work With Melissa Ready to launch your own Nonprofit? Book a discovery call here: https://tidycal.com/melissapursuitofpurpose/15-minute-meeting [https://tidycal.com/melissapursuitofpurpose/15-minute-meeting] Join the Community: Sign up for our newsletter for more insights + podcast announcements: https://substack.com/@nonprofitcurious [https://substack.com/@nonprofitcurious]

#11 Spotlight w/Layton Harris

Feeling overwhelmed by finance? You're not alone — but here's why starting now can change everything. Tune into Layton Harris’ story and learn how he helps nonprofits thrive financially. Drop a 🔥 if you’ve ever hesitated to dive into your financial future! A quote from our guest, Layton of For A Purpose Financial: "I used to think I needed the perfect plan before I even began. Then I saw my dad’s story, how lack of planning almost cost us everything. It taught me that the foundation is often unsexy but vital — just like a house’s concrete slab. Without it, storms ruin everything. Waiting for the ‘right time’ is a myth—your future depends on what you do today. Starting early isn’t just smart; it’s lifesaving." In our chat, we lay down how finance, financial planning, and your organization's purpose all intersect and I bring it home with a nonprofit lens! Caring for your organization’s staff includes helping set up the nonprofit organization’s workers for financial success. I really believe that each person’s role should be compensated and supported- not just sacrificed in the name of purpose. Layton Harris’ bio: “I run a financial planning firm called 4 A Purpose Financial, we help clients with various aspects of their money management: from investments, to retirement, insurance, taxes, estate planning, various tax strategies, charitable giving strategies, and certainly more than just what we listed here! Ultimately, I find myself specifically working with highly driven Christian professionals! Most of my clients tend to be business owners, medical professionals, or high-level sales professionals. However, I don’t turn away people outside of these occupations if they have a Kingdom mindset, and a strong desire to be the best financial version of themselves in a way that gives God glory! Our mission at 4 A Purpose Financial is to create abundance for others, so they can pursue their dreams fearlessly, and give God all the glory through the entire process.” #FinancialFreedom #PurposeDriven #StartNow #NonprofitFoundation #PlanForTomorrow Connect with Layton: layton.harris@nm.com Connect with Melissa: melissa.pursuitofpurpose@gmail.com Book an intro call with Melissa: https://tidycal.com/melissapursuitofpurpose/15-minute-meeting