In this episode of the Unfiltered Nonprofit Podcast, host Cherry Chan sits down with Rob Henderson, President & CEO of BioTalent Canada, to discuss how he successfully transitioned his nonprofit from government dependency to financial sustainability. Rob shares the hard decisions, bold strategies, and entrepreneurial mindset that helped BioTalent Canada diversify its revenue and thrive.

Overcoming the Challenge of Lost Government Funding
When BioTalent Canada received news that their federal funding would be cut, they faced a critical turning point. Instead of scaling back, Rob took a bold, business-driven approach to nonprofit revenue diversification—building industry partnerships, offering consulting services, and creating a self-sustaining funding model.

Lessons in Leadership and Change Management
Rob doesn’t shy away from the reality of leading through change. He shares how nonprofit leaders must adopt an entrepreneurial mindset, make tough staffing decisions, and embrace revenue diversification to ensure long-term impact.

• Practical Strategies for Nonprofit Revenue Diversification
  In this episode, Rob breaks down actionable steps for nonprofits looking to diversify revenue, including:
  Establishing corporate partnerships that bring in recurring revenue
  Creating value-driven sponsorship models
  Leveraging government funding for specific projects instead of relying on operational grants
  Developing consulting or training services as additional income streams

The Intersection of DEI and Financial Sustainability
Rob also shares how Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) plays a role in nonprofit success. Through initiatives like the IDEA Committee and the Ideal Bioscience Employer designation, BioTalent Canada ensures that its workforce and funding strategies align with its mission.

💡 If your nonprofit is struggling with funding challenges, this episode is a must-listen. Learn how an entrepreneurial mindset and revenue diversification can create financial stability while staying true to your mission.

In this episode of the Unfiltered Nonprofit Podcast, we sit down with Jessie Card, Executive Director of Youth Ottawa, to discuss how nonprofits can move beyond grant dependency and adopt a social enterprise mindset. Under Jessie’s leadership, Youth Ottawa transformed its funding model—growing from 0% earned revenue in 2018 to 18% of total revenue generated through paid programming with school boards. This shift has not only strengthened the organization's sustainability but also reinforced its impact, proving that nonprofits can thrive by thinking like businesses while staying mission-driven.

Jessie shares how his own experiences with learning challenges inspired him to empower youth through skills development, media literacy, and entrepreneurship. He discusses the crucial role of prevention—investing in young people early yields long-term benefits, with research showing every $1 spent on youth programs can save $5 to $7 in future social costs. Youth Ottawa's innovative approach actively involves young people in shaping and delivering programming, ensuring they gain leadership experience and economic opportunities while driving community change.

Beyond financial sustainability, Youth Ottawa has created flagship initiatives like the RBC 21 Under 21 Awards and the Mars Charity Golf Classic, which not only recognize and celebrate young changemakers but also serve as key revenue streams to fund impactful programs. Jessie’s insights challenge traditional nonprofit mindsets, emphasizing that organizations must embrace sales, marketing, and business acumen to survive and scale their missions.

This conversation is a must-listen for nonprofit leaders looking to innovate their funding models, maximize social impact, and turn financial challenges into opportunities. If you’re navigating similar struggles, this episode provides actionable insights on how to leverage partnerships, rethink revenue strategies, and build a financially resilient nonprofit.

In this episode of The Unfiltered Nonprofit Podcast, Susan Ingram, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa, shares how her leadership helped turn a small idea into a thriving social enterprise. Thrive Select Thrift started with just three clothing bins and a $5,000 investment in 2015. Today, it has grown into a successful thrift store that has diverted over 1.5 million pounds of clothing from landfills, generated nearly $500,000 in revenue, and provided 4,448 hours of job training for youth. Beyond raising funds, Thrive Select Thrift has become a key part of their mission, offering mentorship and a safe space for young people to learn and grow.

Susan’s leadership played a big role in making this happen. With a background in operations and business, she brought practical skills to the nonprofit world, combining strong planning with a “start small” approach. She credits partnerships with organizations like RBC and a supportive board of directors for helping her overcome challenges. Susan also shares how nonprofits often shy away from risks, but by taking small, thoughtful steps—like piloting with a few bins before opening a store—she was able to build confidence in the project and make it work.

For Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa, Thrive Select Thrift is more than just a revenue stream. The store provides a physical space for the community to connect with their mission, meet the youth they support, and see their impact firsthand. Susan explains how this has helped showcase their work, which is often hard to “see” since mentorship relationships happen privately. The store also gives young people real-world job training, helping them build skills and a sense of belonging that will stay with them long after their time in the program.

Are you looking for new ways to support your nonprofit’s mission and diversify your revenue? What small steps could you take to test an idea and build toward something bigger? This episode is full of insights for nonprofit leaders ready to take the leap into social enterprise.