Values Alignment 101: The Fundraiser's Guide to Picking Funders

Send us Fan Mail Ever felt pressure to chase every funding opportunity that crosses your desk just because the deadline lines up and the dollar amount looks good? This episode is your permission to slow down. You'll learn why "does this person have money" is the wrong first question, and what to actually look for before you sink hours into an application or a pitch. You'll hear the real cost of chasing misaligned funders (hint: it's not just your time), and get a practical framework for spotting values alignment before you're locked into a partnership.  On this week's episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, host Maria Rio is joined by Caitlin McBride, a certified fundraising executive with close to 15 years of experience helping small nonprofit leaders make fundraising feel easy, ethical, and less chaotic. Together, they unpack how experienced fundraisers actually assess whether a funding opportunity is worth pursuing, and nonprofit leaders will walk away with a clear-eyed way to evaluate funders before committing time, energy, or their organization's reputation. Connect with Caitlin on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/caitlinmcbride-ethical-fundraising/ **CHAPTERS** 00:00 Why Not Every Funder Is Worth Chasing 01:43 Meet Caitlin McBride: Making Fundraising Ethical and Less Chaotic 02:35 The "Looks Good on Paper" Trap — Money, Deadlines and Program Fit 03:41 Not All Money Is Good Money: Hidden Time and Reputational Costs 05:58 How to Check a Funder's Real Giving History (CRA Website Tip) 07:27 Values Alignment: Vision, Tactics, and How Donors Treat Your Staff 09:11 Closed-Door Funders: Why "They Won't Talk to You" Is the Answer 12:14 Scarcity Mindset vs. Being Strategically Picky About Funders 13:21 The "Ends Justify the Means" Debate in Nonprofit Fundraising 14:49 Funding Should Follow Mission, Not the Other Way Around 15:27 Assessing the Grant Application: Is It Worth Your Time? 16:23 Sneaky Recognition Requirements (Christmas Gifts, Logo Wars, and More) 18:41 Sponsorship vs. Donation: Know What You're Actually Signing 20:00 Why Being Picky Is the Strategic Move Support the show