How to Build an Engaged Nonprofit Community Without Membership Fees | Tasha Van Vlack

What actually makes people feel like they belong to a community? In this episode of the Unfiltered Nonprofit Podcast, Cherry Chan sits down with Tasha Van Vlack, founder of The Nonprofit Hive, to explore a different approach to nonprofit community building, member engagement, and sustainable revenue. Tasha Van Vlack shares how The Nonprofit Hive grew from an initial waitlist of 200 connections into a global community built around curated one-to-one conversations. She explains why the organization chose to keep participation free, how sponsorships and partnerships support that model, and why trust and consistent value are critical for long-term engagement. They also discuss why simply creating a Facebook group, Slack channel, forum, or content library doesn't necessarily create community. Instead, Tasha Van Vlack emphasizes intentional connections, co-creating with members, listening to what people will actually participate in, and recognizing the hidden staff cost of managing community platforms. In this conversation, you'll learn about: ✅ Building meaningful nonprofit communities ✅ Increasing member engagement through intentional connections ✅ Keeping a community free through sponsorships and partnerships ✅ Why community should be an action, not a passive experience ✅ Using email to drive engagement and participation ✅ Co-creating programs with your community ✅ Why more content doesn't necessarily mean more community ✅ Creating belonging beyond discounts and traditional membership perks ✅ Building sustainable communities with limited staff and budgets 🔗Contact with Tasha: Linkedin:   / tasha-van-vlack   🐝 Join The Nonprofit Hive: https://thenonprofithive.com/ 🐝Join Community Hives: https://communityhives.com/ ⏱️ Timestamps 00:19 – Introducing Tasha Van Vlack & The Nonprofit Hive 03:27 – The Idea That Started The Nonprofit Hive 08:53 – How Do You Make Money If Membership Is Free? 09:56 – The Business Model Behind a Free Community 13:16 – “Community Is an Action” & the Secret to Engagement 17:48 – 16,000 Conversations & Lessons From Building Community 22:34 – Community Building When You Have Limited Staff & Budget 27:18 – Why Belonging Matters More Than Content or Discounts 🔔 Subscribe for more conversations with nonprofit leaders, association executives, and experts who are helping organizations grow and thrive. __________________________________ This podcast episode is also available on: 👉On Spotify: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/prof... 👉Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.ca/podcasts/247b... 👉Apple Podcasts: https://www.audible.ca/pd/B0HN7WSYJW?... _____________________________________ 👉 FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Website: https://nonprofitcfo.ca/ Linkedin: / otus-group Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?... Instagram: / non.profit.cfo _____________________________________ Disclaimer: Financial Management services are a personalized decision and will depend on your organization's situation, priorities, and risk tolerance. While we endeavor to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability of the article or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the presentation for any purpose. Any reliance on such information is, therefore, strictly at your own risk. In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage, including, without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of or connected with the use of this information. #Nonprofit #NonprofitLeadership #NonprofitCommunity #MemberEngagement #NonprofitMarketing #AssociationLeadership #NonprofitProfessionals #CommunityEngagement #NonprofitPodcast #MembershipEngagement #NonDuesRevenue #NonprofitStrategy #AssociationManagement #CherryChanCPA