Build Better, Fund Smarter Featuring Tim Crum, Fundraising and Operations Consultant

"Our industry is full of people with big hearts — but running a shelter takes more than heart. It takes structure, strategy, and systems."

This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund.

Whether you're running a grassroots cat rescue or leading a multi-million-dollar shelter, the question remains the same: how do we keep the doors open and services running? Fundraising expert and shelter operations consultant Tim Crum joins the podcast to tackle this question head-on.

With over $400 million raised and 300+ organizations advised, Tim brings an unmatched depth of insight into what makes animal welfare groups thrive — and where they falter. From his early days in architecture to his unexpected pivot into the shelter world, Tim's journey reveals how diverse professional skills can translate into nonprofit success.

In this thought-provoking conversation, Tim dives into why fundraising shouldn't be feared, how shelters can better manage staff burnout and retention, and why it's time for a paradigm shift in how we house and help cats. He also highlights how intake diversion, working cat programs, and strategic communication can transform how we serve both animals and people.

If your organization struggles with funding, staffing, or long-term planning — this is the episode you can't miss.

Press Play Now For:

• The difference between writing grants and building donor relationships
• How to attract and retain shelter staff despite low wages
• The real impact of the veterinary shortage on community cats
• Why loud music in cat housing might be doing more harm than good
• What working cat programs and intake diversion really look like in action
• A fresh take on how to build community support instead of barriers
• Why it's never too late to bring your professional skills into animal welfare

Resources & Links:

• Animal Shelter Fundraising (http://animalshelterfundraising.com)
• Animal Shelter Services (http://animalshelterservices.com)
• Children's Books by Tim Crum (http://timcrum.com)

Sponsor Links:

• Maddie's Fund (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/maddies611)

Follow & Review

We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-community-cats-podcast/id1125752101?mt=2). Select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then share a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.