In this episode, Tom Kelly and Haley Cooper explore the keys to effective fundraising and donor retention. They discuss why many nonprofits rush fundraising efforts without a strategy, how follow-up communication is often overlooked, and why shifting from event-based fundraising to relationship-building is crucial for long-term success.

Key Takeaways:

✔ Donor retention is essential for sustainability.

✔ Major gifts require intentionality and relationship-building.

✔ Transparency and communication improve donor stewardship.

✔ Social media strategies should be tailored to your audience.

✔ Emerging nonprofits should focus on depth over breadth in donor relationships.

✔ A compelling case for support and team alignment are foundational to success.

Whether you're an established nonprofit or just getting started, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you grow your impact!

Check out Haley and the Savvy Fundraiser https://www.linkedin.com/in/haley-cooper-cfre/

https://thesavvyfundraiser.kit.com/conversation

https://thesavvyfundraiser.com/

https://a.co/d/4VYfhIy

Connect with Tom - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomkelly5/

Want to bring Tom to your next event? Contact us at: hello@realtomkelly.com

Tom Kelly is joined by Josh Birkholz to discuss the evolving landscape of nonprofits, focusing on trends, data analysis, donor engagement, and the powerful role of family foundations in shaping the future of philanthropy. They explore the challenges nonprofits face with declining donor numbers, the importance of trust, and how to effectively engage the next generation in charitable giving.

Josh and Tom share their expertise on leveraging data to grow donor bases, fostering collaboration between nonprofits, and shifting the focus from problems to solutions to regain public trust. The discussion also delves into the joy of giving, the significance of legacy-building, and how to engage children in philanthropy to instill values and create a purpose-driven life.

Key Takeaways:

- Nonprofits must stay updated on giving trends to thrive.

- Data analysis can help nonprofits grow their donor base.

- Family foundations are increasingly popular for structured giving.

- Engaging children in philanthropy fosters a sense of purpose and values.

- Building trust in nonprofits is critical to restore public confidence.

- Digital tools and storytelling are key to enhancing donor engagement.

- Planning charitable activities and creating a legacy of giving strengthens community impact.

Check out Joshua and BWF

http://www.bwf.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabirkholz/

In this episode of the Million Dollar Nonprofit Podcast, I’m joined by Dr. Elizabeth Searing, a nonprofit management professor, and Salman Bin Habib, a second-year PhD student, to explore a game-changing opportunity for nonprofits—collaborating with universities to strengthen impact, build capacity, and access valuable resources for free or at a low cost.

We break down:

- Common misconceptions about working with universities (and why most nonprofits aren’t leveraging them).

- How to tap into internships, fellowships, research projects, and strategic support that can elevate your nonprofit.

- Real-world examples of nonprofits benefiting from university partnerships, including projects with Charity Navigator.

- Practical strategies to find the right university programs aligned with your mission—whether you’re a small nonprofit or scaling up.

- The perfect stage for nonprofits to approach universities and maximize the partnership.

You’ll leave with actionable steps to start leveraging academic partnerships today!

Connect with Elizabeth - https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethsearing/

Connect with Tom - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomkelly5/

We dive into the power of email fundraising with nonprofit email marketing expert Katelyn Baughan. Most nonprofits aren't sending enough emails—or worse, they're not optimizing them for engagement and donations.

Some topics we cover:

- How to audit your email strategy to uncover hidden opportunities

- The biggest mistakes nonprofits make with email marketing

- How to segment your list for better engagement and higher donations

- A/B testing subject lines to increase open rates

- Using UTM tracking to measure success down to the button click

Key takeaway: Want to turn your nonprofit’s email list into a high-performing fundraising machine? Katelyn's expert tips will show you exactly how to build an email strategy that generates consistent donations over time.

Connect with Katelyn Baughan on LinkedIn for more insights - https://www.linkedin.com/in/katelyn-baughan/

Connect with Tom - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomkelly5/

Get your FREE Email Audit Guide - https://katelynbaughan.com/email-audit-guide/

Want to bring Tom to your next event? Contact us at: hello@realtomkelly.com

We explore how to leverage digital marketing to fuel the growth of your nonprofit. You’ll learn practical strategies for maximizing your online presence, from building an effective social media strategy to creating engaging content that drives donations. We’ll discuss the importance of email marketing, personalization, and segmentation to boost engagement with your donors.

You’ll also get actionable tips on improving your nonprofit's SEO, using Google Ad Grants to drive traffic, and harnessing the power of paid advertising through Google and Facebook ads. By the end of the episode, you'll have a clear understanding of how to implement these strategies to expand your reach, engage more supporters, and increase donations.

Whether you're new to digital marketing or looking to refine your efforts, this episode offers the tools you need to help your nonprofit thrive in the digital age.

Connect with Tom - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomkelly5/

Want to bring Tom to your next event? Contact us at: hello@realtomkelly.com

I sit down with Amy Varga, a seasoned professional with 30 years of experience and the President of The Varga Group, who has dedicated her career to helping mission-driven organizations succeed. Together, we explore the Nonprofit Life Cycle Framework—a powerful tool that outlines the predictable stages of growth every nonprofit encounters. Whether you're leading a startup organization or managing a mature nonprofit, Amy explains how this framework helps organizations overcome challenges, strategically scale, and build capacity at every stage.

Learn actionable insights like:

- What the Nonprofit Life Cycle Framework is and why it’s crucial for growth.

- The unique challenges and priorities at each stage: startup, growth, maturity, and decline.

- How smaller nonprofits can outshine larger ones with high-touch donor stewardship.

- Why diversifying revenue streams is essential for scaling beyond grassroots fundraising.

- Practical tips to align your fundraising plan with your nonprofit's current stage.

The Varga Group consultants are experts in capital campaigns, fundraising training, retreat facilitation and leadership coaching. Check them out https://thevargagroup.com/

Connect with Amy Varga on LinkedIn for more insights - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyvarga/

Nonprofit Organizational Life Cycles White Paper - https://thevargagroup.com/2020/04/25/nonprofit-organizational-life-cycles-white-paper/

Want to bring Tom to your next event? Contact us at: hello@realtomkelly.com

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Today, I sat down with Emily to explore the art and strategy behind crafting a compelling Case for Support—a powerful tool to formalize your nonprofit's storytelling, align your team, and elevate your fundraising efforts.

Together, we discuss how to transform founder stories into scalable narratives, build consistency across your organization, and create lasting donor connections.

Topics covered:

- The difference between storytelling and a Case for Support

- The 5 key elements every nonprofit needs to include

- How to gather impactful data and testimonials

- Tips for nonprofits in growth phases to level up

Links & Resources:

Want help directly from Emily? Check out teenyBIG - https://www.teenybig.com/

Connect with Emily - https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-taylor-teenybig/

Connect with Tom - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomkelly5/

Emily's free resource - https://mailchi.mp/teenybig/strengthenstories

Want to bring Tom to your next event? Contact us at: hello@realtomkelly.com

In this episode, Jessica , Founder & CEO @ One Degree Impact, shares expert insights on how to know if your nonprofit is truly ready to apply for grants. Grants can be a powerful tool for funding, but they come with challenges many organizations overlook.

Key Takeaways:

- Why grants aren’t “free money” and what it really takes to secure them.

- The essential systems, financials, and team structure nonprofits need to have in place.

- Examples of grants that aren’t worth the effort (and why!).

- How relationship-building with funders leads to long-term grant success.

- Tips for small nonprofits: Which grants are “low-hanging fruit” to start with?

Who Should Watch:

- Small and mid-sized nonprofits looking to scale.

- Nonprofit leaders wondering if grants are the right funding strategy.

- Anyone struggling with grant applications and reporting requirements.

Jessica’s expertise comes from over a decade of helping nonprofits navigate the grant landscape. Whether you’re just starting out or want to improve your grant-seeking strategy, this episode provides actionable advice to help you build a foundation for success.

Connect with Jessica - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-merrell/

Connect with Tom - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomkelly5/

Find more about One Degree Impact - https://onedegreeimpact.com/