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It Doesn't Hurt to Ask!

It Doesn't Hurt to Ask!

Written by: The Fundraising Lab
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Whether you're a professional fundraiser, volunteer on the board of a non-profit organization or you're about to make your first charitable donation, we've got a podcast for you! It Doesn't Hurt to Ask! explores the world of philanthropy through a critical lens. While that might sound serious, we have a lot of fun along the way. In our first season, we're chatting with "Shift Disturbers," charitable sector leaders who are doing things differently. After listening, you won't think about our sector in the same way for our motto is: in fundraising, as in life, it doesn't hurt to ask! We hope you listen, learn and laugh along with us as we chat all things fundraising and philanthropy. Great news! It Doesn't Hurt to Ask! is in the Top 25 Fundraising Podcasts to listen to on Feedspot. Economics Management Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • Adventures in Grant Writing with Daniella Sorrerntino

    Adventures in Grant Writing with Daniella Sorrerntino
    Feb 19 2026
    There's a big difference between writing grant applications and writing grants that win – and it starts long before you put a single word on the page. In this episode, we're joined by Daniella Sorrentino, grant writer at The Fundraising Lab, who demystifies the grant writing process from start to finish. Whether you're brand new to grants or have been writing them for years, Daniella shares what organizations need to have in place before any writing starts, the most common mistakes that derail applications, and why losing a grant is always an opportunity to learn and improve. We cover: The top three things your organization needs before submitting any grant application Why grant writing is a collaborative translation process between your organization and funders How to handle grant declines and why asking "why" is the first step to winning next time The truth about storytelling versus data in grant applications – and why they're actually equally important How to prioritize which grants to pursue and recognize when a funder just isn't the right match for your organization If you're navigating the grant writing process, feeling overwhelmed by applications, or trying to improve your success rate, this episode offers practical insights on building strong grant programs that are strategic, collaborative, and based on real organizational clarity. Resources and links: Check out Daniella Sorrentino and host Cathy Mann on LinkedIn Book your Fundraising Growth Game Plan call Email us at hello@fundraisinglab.ca Subscribe to our email list Share this episode with a friend! Podcast editing and post-production by: Daniella Sorrentino at Feral Culture Lab (feralculturelab.com) Music: Intro and Outro Music is Fancy Free by Reveille https://app.soundstripe.com/songs/16267
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    25 mins
  • Building Capacity Without Burning Out with Scott Williams

    Building Capacity Without Burning Out with Scott Williams
    Feb 5 2026
    There's no magic wand in fundraising – but there are smarter, more sustainable ways to build capacity without sacrificing your people or your mission in the process. In this episode, we sit down with Scott Williams, Executive in Residence at Capacity Canada and former Executive Director of Spectrum Waterloo Region's Rainbow Community Space. Scott shares candid insights from growing Spectrum from a volunteer-run organization to a stable nonprofit with a six-figure budget, including the personal cost of rapid scaling, the realities of burnout in the sector, and way fundraising often consumes far more of a leader's time than anyone expects. We cover: Why fundraising touches almost every part of an Executive Director's role and how to build systems that support sustainable growth How to choose fundraising tools and CRM systems based on future needs, not just current budget Aligning strategic planning, governance, communications and fundraising so your organization can grow without burning out your team If you're an Executive Director or nonprofit leader feeling stretched thin, navigating rapid growth, or trying to build fundraising capacity while managing everything else, this episode offers honest perspectives on what it really takes to scale sustainably. Resources and links: Check out Scott Williams, Erin Boyce and host Cathy Mann on LinkedIn Book your Fundraising Growth Game Plan call Email us at hello@fundraisinglab.ca Subscribe to our email list Share this episode with a friend! Podcast editing and post-production by: Daniella Sorrentino at Feral Culture Lab (feralculturelab.com) Music: Intro and Outro Music is Fancy Free by Reveille https://app.soundstripe.com/songs/16267
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    17 mins
  • It Doesn't Hurt To Ask: Lessons from the Trenches with Sarah Bass

    It Doesn't Hurt To Ask: Lessons from the Trenches with Sarah Bass
    Jan 22 2026
    You don't need to have all the answers to be a successful fundraiser – but you do need the confidence to ask better questions and the right community to support you along the way. In this episode, hosts Cathy Mann and Erin Boyce sit down with Sarah Bass, former Manager of Fundraising Communications at Community Counseling Resource Center (CCRC) in Peterborough. Sarah shares her honest journey of falling into fundraising, inheriting a program without strategy, and navigating a database migration during the pandemic. From discovering her donor data wasn't as organized as she thought to learning how to communicate impact without client testimonials, this conversation is full of practical wisdom and reassurance that we're all "fumbling through" together. We cover: How to gain clarity on what actually moves the needle versus what just fills your calendar when you inherit a fundraising program The transformative power of strategic fundraising guidance and understanding what will "maximize your bang for your buck" Why your fundraising database and finance system serve different purposes and how to separate fundraising metrics from accounting reports Developing outcome-focused messaging that resonates when you can't use testimonials or client stories The importance of fundraising community and mentorship for combating isolation as a solo fundraiser If you're a solo fundraiser feeling overwhelmed, struggling with data management, or trying to refine your approach without clear direction, this episode offers practical advice and the reminder that you're not alone in this work. Resources and links: Check out Sarah Bass, Erin Boyce and host Cathy Mann on LinkedIn Book your Fundraising Growth Game Plan call Email us at hello@fundraisinglab.ca Subscribe to our email list Share this episode with a friend! Podcast editing and post-production by: Daniella Sorrentino at Feral Culture Lab (feralculturelab.com) Music: Intro and Outro Music is Fancy Free by Reveille https://app.soundstripe.com/songs/16267
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    22 mins
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