In this inspiring episode of Agents of Nonprofit, I sit down with Tonya Surman, CEO and co-founder of the Centre for Social Innovation (CSI), to explore her decades-long mission to redesign how nonprofits operate, collaborate, and finance their futures. As the conversation unfolds, Tonya challenges traditional ideas around ownership, scale, and capitalism, offering a vision of a regenerative, relationship-centered economy built on circular design principles.

Topics We Cover:

• Tonya Surman’s journey from grassroots activism to nonprofit innovation
• The founding vision of the Centre for Social Innovation (CSI)
• How shared resources evolved into a thriving social impact ecosystem
• The power and mechanics behind community bonds as financing tools
• Stories of unlikely investors—from new Canadians to 25-year-old Gen Z women
• The challenges of scaling a nonprofit vs. a for-profit structure
• The impact of COVID-19 and interest rates on nonprofit-owned real estate
• A bold vision for “exit to community” and reshaping capitalism with circular design

To Learn More and Connect with Tonya:

SocialInnovation.org

E-mail Tonya

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In this episode of Agents of Nonprofit, I speak with Naomi Hattaway about the underestimated power of sabbaticals in the nonprofit world. Drawing from her personal journey and professional expertise, Naomi reframes sabbaticals as essential leadership and organizational tools—not luxuries. Together, they explore how intentional breaks can reduce burnout, reveal hidden inefficiencies, build leadership capacity, and foster healthier workplace cultures. From pilot programs and funding strategies to reintegration and equity, this conversation is a blueprint for sustainable nonprofit leadership rooted in rest, reflection, and resilience.

Topics We Cover:

• Naomi explains the power of “leaving loudly”
• What a sabbatical really is—and what it isn’t
• Burnout, leadership longevity, and the myth of unlimited PTO
• Why sabbaticals shouldn’t be exclusive to executive directors
• How to pilot a sabbatical and build a culture of rest
• Reintegration tips: what to expect and how to plan a smooth return
• Budgeting for sabbaticals, including internal and external funding options
• Practical ways to embed rest into organizational culture without a full sabbatical policy

To Learn More and Connect with Naomi:

NaomiHattaway.com

E-mail Naomi

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In this episode of Agents of Nonprofit, I welcome Gregory Warner, founder of MarketSmart and creator of the Fundraising Report Card, for a deep dive into data-driven donor engagement. Whether you’re wrestling with donor retention or chasing ROI, this conversation offers a powerful blend of insight and strategy that reframes fundraising as a journey of shared values and lasting relationships.

Topics We Cover:

• Why many nonprofits misuse surveys and feedback tools—and how to fix it
• The “before and after” model for measuring impact and fundraising ROI
• What the Fundraising Report Card reveals about donor retention, upgrades, and lifetime value
• Why donor lifetime value (LTV) is the most predictive and essential fundraising metric
• How to identify and re-engage lapsed major donors hiding in your CRM
• The surprising statistic that 25% of major donors start at the major gift level
• Why relational fundraising beats transactional tactics—and how to offer lasting value

To Learn More and Connect with Gregory:

Fundraising Report Card

Gregory Warner on LinkedIn

Google's Zero Moment of Truth

Fundraising Effectiveness Project

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