If you surveyed nonprofit leaders right now and asked what is keeping them up at night, revenue would likely be towards the top of that list.
For years, we’ve talked about diversifying funding – not relying too heavily on one grant, one major donor, or one foundation. But, in the past year, that conversation has sharpened. The stakes feel higher. The margin for error feels smaller.
In this episode, Glennda Testone is joined by Bethany Maki of Progressive Multiplier about what it actually takes to build financial resilience for your organization.
And here’s the headline: Financial resilience isn’t something you stumble into. It’s something you build deliberately.
It’s the ability to weather funding cycles without losing control of your strategy and having revenue to count on, not just revenue you hope gets renewed.
Revenue generation is a discipline. You don’t do it off the side of your desk. You staff it. You invest in it. You plan for it.
Glennda and Bethany offer practical, clear-eyed guidance for leaders who are serious about sustainability. If you’re ready to move beyond grant dependency and build real financial resilience, start here.
Take a listen now, and start making your next strategic move.
TUNE IN TO LEARN:
- What financial resilience means for nonprofits: Why resilience isn’t just about having money in the bank, it’s about being able to weather funding cycles while staying independent and mission-driven.
- How to think strategically about using a large infusion of funding: Practical advice on investing windfalls into infrastructure, staffing, and sustainable growth rather than short-term expansion.
- How to avoid freezing in uncertainty and focus on the right next step: A grounded approach to scenario planning that prioritizes disciplined action over paralysis.
KEY QUOTES:
- “Because sometimes that’s going to mean this year you’re investing less in program because this year you might need to build some piece of your revenue generation that’s going to mean financial resilience in the long term.” – Bethany Maki
- “The unknowns are significant and some of the knowns are really scary. We can’t put our head in the sand about that. We have to be very active in sort of the how. How can we navigate?” – Bethany Maki
ABOUT GUEST:
Bethany is a skilled nonprofit strategist and team leader with a passion for working at intersections – where people-powered movements create systemic change, where understanding incites activation, and where people, process and technology working in supported harmony bring progressive power-building strategies to life. As a grant maker, consultant and in-house at some of the country’s most impactful nonprofit organizations, she has spent 24 years partnering with nonprofit groups to grow in scale and self-determination through independent revenue generation. Bethany currently serves as the Executive Director of Progressive Multiplier Fund and Action Fund and CEO of Multiplier Effect, whose collective purpose is helping progressive movement groups achieve sustainability and scalability by strengthening their catalytic revenue generation capacities and diversifying their financial capital. She is based in St. Petersburg, FL where she lives with and cares for her partner who is an ABI survivor and her exceptional octogenarian mother.
RESOURCES:
- Bethany Maki LinkedIn
- Bethany Maki Instagram
- Bethany Maki Facebook
- Glennda Testone LinkedIn
- Nonprofit Leadership Lab
- Joan Garry’s Guide to Nonprofit Leadership – 2nd Edition by Joan Garry
- FREE WORKSHOP: Let’s Build the Nonprofit Board of Your Dreams!
- FREE WORKSHOP: The 5 Practices of Outstanding Nonprofit Leaders
- Music by Jukebox the Ghost
Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Sponsored By DonorPerfect
DonorPerfect provides nonprofits with powerful fundraising tools to drive success. Built on a foundation of integrity and innovation, the company prioritizes its clients over investors, cultivating a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and a commitment to making a difference. Check out their resource(s) below.
- Building a Board of Ambassadors: A 6-Step Guide
Ready to build a vibrant, empowered board of ambassadors for your nonprofit? Download this comprehensive guide, created by DonorPerfect to discover proven strategies for recruiting diverse members and boosting engagement with your staff. Start strengthening your nonprofit’s leadership now.
Sponsored By DRG Talent Consulting Experts
DRG is a talent advisory group helping nonprofit organizations to identify, attract, and nurture innovative, diverse leadership. Our team of 40+ experts serves over 200 nonprofits a year of all sizes and in various sectors across the country. Learn more at drgtalent.com.
Check out their resource(s) below.
- Managing Internal Candidates
Thinking about opening a search and wondering how to handle internal applicants the right way? This resource walks through the real risks and opportunities of including internal candidates in a leadership search, with practical guidance to keep the process fair, transparent, and aligned with your culture. If you want to protect morale, reduce bias, and strengthen trust while still running a rigorous search, this is worth a read.