Small But Mighty Podcast for Non-Profits

Small Non-Profits Alliance podcast for small charities

Small But Mighty is the podcast of the Small Non-Profits Alliance, offering expert advice and resources for small non-profits. Featuring interviews with charity sector experts on fundraising, marketing or governance advice.

  • 46 minutes 32 seconds
    How AI can help small charities

    While it can seem daunting, AI is here to stay and can provide incredible benefits for small charities.

    In this episode, Bianca chats to Behrend, a seasoned not-for-profit professional with a passion for integrating technology to amplify impact. 

    Kyle is committed to opening access to AI for small charities and to equip them with the tools and knowledge to overcome resource challenges, improve efficiency, and boost overall effectiveness.

    You can learn more about AI for charities from Kyle or read his e-book here on his website.

    For more resources created specifically for small non-profits join the Small Non-Profits Alliance for FREE here: https://smallnonprofits.com.au/membership-account/membership-levels/

    You can also connect with the Alliance on Facebook and Instagram.

    20 June 2025, 3:00 am
  • 53 minutes 29 seconds
    How small charities can thrive during tough economic times

    How can small charities weather tough economic times using  'value for money' principles?

    In this episode Bianca chats to UK researchers Dr Carl Evans and Dr Nigel Jackson from Plymouth University about their two research projects focussing on small charities.

    Dr Evans has led two studies - 'Value-for-money and the small charity' and 'UK charities and the current economic situation: Embracing value-for-money (VFM) in order to survive.'

    Episode highlights:

    10 mins - Value-for-money theory and the 'Three E's

    11.30 mins - What charities think value-for-money actually is

    12 mins - Why value-for-money is so important for small charities

    15.20 mins - The research results and the economic impact on UK charities, and similarities with Australia.

    25.40 mins - How small charities can adapt to change and economic challenges 

    26.23 mins - Why innovation is important

    27 mins - Collaboration between small charities

    37.16 mins - How small charities can practically adopt a value-for-money approach

    41.45 mins - Tips for leaders of small charities wanting to create a culture of value-for-money

    49.54 mins - What Dr Evans and Dr Jackson think Small But Mighty can mean for small charities

    For more resources created specifically for small non-profits join the Small Non-Profits Alliance for FREE here: https://smallnonprofits.com.au/membership-account/membership-levels/

    You can also connect with the Alliance on Facebook and Instagram.

    15 January 2025, 5:00 am
  • 21 minutes 6 seconds
    Non-Profit Myth Busters: Myths plaguing small charities

    It's time to bust some non-profit myths!

    In this episode, Bianca and Kirsty bust four commonly-held myths about small charities in 2024, covering topics such as how small charities handle finances, whether they should use bequests, social media misconceptions and myths about video for charity marketing. 

    For more resources created specifically for small non-profits join the Small Non-Profits Alliance for FREE here: https://smallnonprofits.com.au/membership-account/membership-levels/

    You can also connect with the Alliance on Facebook and Instagram.

    21 October 2024, 2:00 am
  • 5 minutes 22 seconds
    Short Stuff: 6 Steps to Engaging Major Donors

    In a post-Covid world, where events and community fundraising has become less reliable and much more challenging. More and more charities are shifting their focus up the donor pyramid a little to major donors.

    In this episode, Bianca breaks down The Circle of Giving and the six key steps in the process of the move management protocols for major donors.

    Resources mentioned in this episode can be found here.


    Our Small But Mighty 'Short Stuff' episodes are advice for small non-profit success, delivered in under five minutes.

    For more resources created specifically for small non-profits join the Small Non-Profits Alliance for FREE here: https://smallnonprofits.com.au/membership-account/membership-levels/

    You can also connect with the Alliance on Facebook and Instagram.

    17 June 2024, 4:00 am
  • 26 minutes 37 seconds
    Small Non-Profit Trends in 2024

    Small But Mighty is back for a sixth season! In this opening episode, hosts Bianca and Kirsty share key trends small non-profits need to be aware of in 2024.

    With economic and cost of living pressures being seen globally, it's more important than ever for small charities to work smarter and not harder.

    Episode highlights include:

     2:53 mins - The importance of relationships & collaboration between small non-profits and charities

    8:39 mins -   Changes in determining the success of your non-profit's email marketing

    13:29 mins - Why strengthening your donor relationships is more important than ever during the cost-of-living crisis

    17:45 mins - Why you need to use video on social media in 2024

    21:28 mins - The impact of AI in the small non-profit space

    For more resources created specifically for small non-profits join the Small Non-Profits Alliance for FREE here: https://smallnonprofits.com.au/membership-account/membership-levels/

    You can also connect with the Alliance on Facebook and Instagram.

    7 May 2024, 1:00 am
  • 43 minutes 37 seconds
    Giving Hope: Solving fundraising dilemmas for small charities

    Australian fundraising legend Peter Dalton joins Bianca to talk about his latest book, Giving Hope: The Journey of the For-Purpose Organisation and Its Quest for Success.

    Peter tackles a set of six fundraising dilemmas, and explains to Bianca how small non-profits can overcome them.

    Peter has been a huge influence in the Australian non-profit sector, with more than 30 years experience in working in fundraising.

    Among many well known campaigns in Australia and globally, he lead the Olivia Newton-John Wellness Centre campaign for the Austin Hospital in Melbourne.

    You can buy Peter's book here: https://www.amazon.com.au/Giving-Hope-Journey-Purpose-Organisation/dp/9811361444

    Episode highlights:

    5.40 mins – strengths of small charities – major gifts and major donors – a different approach for start-ups/small charities - the most cost effective way of starting funding. 

    7.15 mins - why a case for support is so important and tips of what is essential for a good one

    8.15 mins – how to target a major single donor 

    11.10 mins – What Giving Hope is all about for for-purpose organisations

    18.20 mins – the six fundraising dilemmas and what they mean for small non-profits - The cost ratio dilemma 

    23.20 mins - the tied funding dilemma

    28.20 mins – the product vs misery vs hope dilemma

    For more resources created specifically for small non-profits join the Small Non-Profits Alliance for FREE here: https://smallnonprofits.com.au/membership-account/membership-levels/

    You can also connect with the Alliance on Facebook and Instagram.

    18 April 2023, 1:00 pm
  • 3 minutes 56 seconds
    Short Stuff: Busting the Overhead Myth

    In our charity world, ‘overheads’ is a blanket term for any expenses a non-profit has, that aren’t program costs. 

    In this episode of Short Stuff, Bianca shares why there's often too much emphasis on the issue of overhead expenses, why it's a mistake to use it to measure a charity's efficiency, what non-profits can do to educate donors.

    The study mentioned in this episode can be found here: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/345485033_Is_Overhead_A_Tainted_Word_A_Survey_Experiment_Exploring_Framing_Effects_of_Nonprofit_Overhead_on_Donor_Decision 


    Our Small But Mighty 'Short Stuff' episodes are advice for small non-profit success, delivered in under five minutes.


    For more resources created specifically for small non-profits join the Small Non-Profits Alliance for FREE here: https://smallnonprofits.com.au/membership-account/membership-levels/

    You can also connect with the Alliance on Facebook and Instagram.

    10 February 2023, 3:00 am
  • 28 minutes 57 seconds
    Non-Profit Myth Busters: 2022 fundraising & social media trends

    It's time to bust some non-profit myths!

    In this episode, Bianca and Kirsty bust four commonly-held myths about small organisations in the non-profit sector in 2022, including whether fundraising is trending down, if social media still works for non-profits anymore, high donor fatigue rates, and how many social media platforms you really need to be on.


    For more resources created specifically for small non-profits join the Small Non-Profits Alliance for FREE here: https://smallnonprofits.com.au/membership-account/membership-levels/

    You can also connect with the Alliance on Facebook and Instagram.

    23 December 2022, 3:00 am
  • 37 minutes 9 seconds
    How small charities can be grant-ready

    The COVID-19 pandemic has shifted the grants and funding landscape for non-profits.

    In this episode, Bianca talks to grants expert, Lindy Fentiman from Strategic Grants about new trends in grants landscape and how small non-profits can better communicate their impact to funders.

    11 mins - Advice for small charities on how to communicate their impact to funders

    13 mins - Why a non-profit's key messages are so important

    20 mins - Three tips for how small charities can become grant-ready


    The GEM Local program discount mentioned in this episode can be found here: https://smallnonprofits.com.au/member-benefits/strategic-grants-exclusive-member-offer/ 




    For more resources created specifically for small non-profits join the Small Non-Profits Alliance for FREE here: https://smallnonprofits.com.au/membership-account/membership-levels/

    You can also connect with the Alliance on Facebook and Instagram.

    13 December 2022, 6:00 am
  • 4 minutes 52 seconds
    Short Stuff: Why Instagram still works for small non-profits

    With so many recent changes on the Meta platforms – Facebook and Instagram – social media can be a discouraging space for small non-profits right now.

    In this episode of Short Stuff, Kirsty shares why Instagram can still work for small charities and the three areas to focus on.

    Our Small But Mighty 'Short Stuff' episodes are advice for small non-profit success, delivered in under five minutes.


    For more resources created specifically for small non-profits join the Small Non-Profits Alliance for FREE here: https://smallnonprofits.com.au/membership-account/membership-levels/

    You can also connect with the Alliance on Facebook and Instagram.

    29 November 2022, 12:00 pm
  • 21 minutes 7 seconds
    How to create social change through a non-profit

    Creating social change is a goal of many small non-profits. but it's not an easy task.

    In this episode, Kirsty chats to Rhen Soggee, Executive Director and Co-CEO of ActNow Theatre, a socially conscious theatre company in Adelaide that's been a grassroots organisation for 14 years.

    Rhen shares insights into how ActNow uses the arts and theatre to educate and inform on issues such a racism, gender and cultural diversity, and domestic violence.

    Rhen also explains why it's important for small non-profit to take risks in the work they do, and the importance of diversity in non-profit leadership.

    You can learn more about ActNow's work here: https://www.actnowtheatre.org.au/home

    ActNow Theatre is a member of the Small Non-Profits Alliance. Learn about our free membership here: https://smallnonprofits.com.au/membership-account/membership-levels/ 

    For more resources created specifically for small non-profits join the Small Non-Profits Alliance for FREE here: https://smallnonprofits.com.au/membership-account/membership-levels/

    You can also connect with the Alliance on Facebook and Instagram.

    29 March 2022, 9:00 pm
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