Fridays 4 Fundraising
Fresh fundraising recipes delivered every Friday! Join Kelly McLaughlin of From Scratch Fundraising for bite-sized assignments that help nonprofits raise more dough without burning out. No half-baked strategies—just proven ingredients for sustainable success. One thing you can learn in 5 minutes and do in one hour or less to move your individual giving program forward.
Digital Tools, Analog Hearts: Making Space for Relationship in Fundraising
I talk about relationship building for fundraising almost exclusively. Not email marketing tips (though those are great and email is a great way to build relationships). Not social media strategy (though, again, social media can be a great place to meet new supporters).
But I'm focused on how we build good, quality relationships with our donors in an era of digital efficiency and skyrocketing loneliness.
Unfortunately, I get a lot of push back. I hear it all the time, "But how will I ever find the TIME to do the relationship building with everything else...
Call Your Donors: This one's a surprise
Summary
In this episode of Fridays 4 Fundraising, Kelly encourages you to call a very special segment of your donors.
Links
Check Out DonorboxRequest a Discovery CallJoin Sustain & ThriveSign up for Digital Tools, Analog Hearts workshopTakeaways
Small donors matter too, and their stories are sometimes the most inspiring.It's crucial to show that you care about all of your donors; it's easy to prioritize big donors, but this segment is the foundation.Make Space for Fundraising: Protect Your Time with Time Boxing
Summary
In this episode of Fridays 4 Fundraising, Kelly talks about how Time Boxing can be used as a strategy to help overwhelmed leaders get the most important part of their mission done.
Links
Check Out DonorboxRequest a Discovery CallJoin Sustain & ThriveTakeaways
Hope doesn't help you make time for the most important things to your mission, intention does.Creating space and protecting it are critical for nonprofit leaders.Keywords
nonprofit fundraising, fundraising productivity, p...
What does donor stewardship actually mean?
Summary
In this episode of Fridays 4 Fundraising, Kelly breaks apart what stewardship actually means so you can actually start doing it better.
Links
Check Out DonorboxRequest a Discovery CallJoin Sustain & ThriveTakeaways
Stewardship is more than a thank you note.Done well, stewardship builds a relationship with your donor.It's actually a lot simpler than you think.Keywords
nonprofit fundraising, donor engagement, major gifts, creative fundraising strategies, relationship based fundraising
The people at your gala aren't donors...yet.
Summary
In this episode of Fridays 4 Fundraising, Kelly talks about why she tells her clients not to consider gala ticket purchasers as donors, and how to think about them more effectively to turn them into real partners.
Links
Check Out DonorboxRequest a Discovery CallJoin Sustain & Thrive
Takeaways
How to know if your fundraising program is transaction-based or relationship-basedWhy transitioning to relationship-based fundraising is critical for sustainabilityHow to rethink your gala or special event f...The secret to major gifts success
Summary
In this episode of Fridays 4 Fundraising, Kelly tells you the secret to major gifts success...and it's not what you think!
Links
Check Out DonorboxRequest a Discovery CallJoin Sustain & ThriveRegister for Major Gifts for the Small Shop Workshop
Takeaways
Relationships, authenticity, and trust are the guide stars in major gifts. There's no right or wrong way to ask when you've got a solid relationship with a donor.Major gifts are a...We're bringing back Google Alerts
Summary
In this episode of Fridays 4 Fundraising, Kelly is bringing back a blast from the early 2000s. Remember Google Alerts? They still exist, and they are a highly underutilized fundraising gold mine!
Links
Check Out DonorboxRequest a Discovery CallJoin Sustain & ThriveRegister for Major Gifts for the Small Shop Workshop
Takeaways
How to use Google Alerts to grow your major gifts programWhat to do with the information you learn via Google AlertsIt's n...What Wins on Donor Engagement: Authenticity!
Summary
In this episode of Fridays 4 Fundraising, Kelly is helping you get over the fear of sending donor updates by showing you how the shift from polish to authenticity wins every single time.
Links
Check Out DonorboxRequest a Discovery CallJoin Sustain & ThriveRegister for Major Gifts for the Small Shop Workshop
Takeaways
Infrequent, super polished newsletters don't engage donors the way you want.Less polished, more authentic emails win every single time.H...Grow Your List by Thinking Outside the Box
Summary
In this episode of Fridays 4 Fundraising, Kelly is getting you to think outside the box on growing email list. Kelly shares innovative strategies and creative, non-traditional methods of list building.
Links
Check Out DonorboxRequest a Discovery CallRegister for Major Gifts for the Small Shop Workshop
Takeaways
Tabling at local events is a highly effective lead generation method for small nonprofits.Offering valuable resources like bird guides or bingo cards can attract email signups.D...Dirty Data? A Simple Approach to Clean It Up!
Summary
In this episode of Fridays 4 Fundraising, Kelly talks about the importance of maintaining a clean and up-to-date donor CRM, and how to leverage slower months (like August) to prep it for busier times (like year end). Kelly shares practical steps for nonprofit organizations to streamline their donor data, prepare for major gift campaigns, and leverage CRM cleanup as a strategic tool for fundraising success.
Links
Check Out DonorboxRequest a Discovery CallRegister for Major Gifts for the Small Shop Workshop<...Call Your Donors: 10 Most Recent Donors & Calling Systems
Summary
In this episode of Fridays 4 Fundraising, Kelly challenges you to call your 10 most recent donors AND create the infrastructure to keep calling your donors every Friday.
Links
Check Out DonorboxRequest a Discovery Call
Takeaways
Build and schedule a report from your donor CRM to keep you on top of calling your donors.End your week with calls to your donors to maximize your donation relationships and end your week with encouragement.Keywords
Low donor response to emails? We can fix that!
Summary
In this episode of Fridays 4 Fundraising, Kelly tells you how her clients have successfully gotten more responses from emails to donors with a simple, practical email strategy to improve donor communication and stewardship, emphasizing strategic and sparing use of mail merge for maximum impact.
Links
Check Out DonorboxRequest a Discovery Call
Takeaways
Mail merge can personalize donor updates and increase engagement when used SPARINGLY.Using mail merge for important, targeted communications can create a sense of e...Don't Sleep on Donor Retention!
Summary
In this episode of Fridays 4 Fundraising, Kelly explains how to effectively use LYBUNT reports to re-engage donors and build sustainable support. Learn actionable steps to improve donor retention and strengthen your fundraising efforts.
Links
Check Out DonorboxRequest a Discovery Call
Takeaways
Check LYBUNT reports monthly to catch donors before they lapseReach out to donors who haven't given this year to re-engage themUnderstand why donors lapse and address their concernsUse donor data to inform your fundraising strategyBuild r...Better Donor Email Segmentation
Summary
In this episode of Fridays 4 Fundraising, Kelly shares practical strategies for email list segmentation and donor engagement to boost nonprofit fundraising efforts. Learn how to effectively categorize your supporters and leverage integrated platforms for better outreach.
Links
Check Out DonorboxRequest a Discovery Call
Takeaways
Segment your email list based on donor activity and interests.Use integrated platforms like Neon One, DonorBox, and CauseVox.Allow supporters to self-select their interests to improve engagement.Update donor tags with l...A Message for A Holiday Weekend: Actually Rest
Summary
In this episode of Fridays 4 Fundraising, Kelly shares something a little different: a deeply impactful mindset quote that she wants to share with you. Take this weekend to rest, instead of continuing to hustle. The work will be there again on Monday.
Links
Check Out DonorboxRequest a Discovery Call
Takeaways
When we don't take time for rest, we're asking to burn out.Even when the work is hard and urgent, rest is yet more urgent because y...What are you doing wrong? Ask a lapsed donor.
Summary
In this episode of Fridays 4 Fundraising, Kelly shares practical strategies for engaging lapsed donors, including real-life success stories and actionable steps to re-engage supporters and boost fundraising efforts.
Links
Check Out DonorboxRequest a Discovery Call
Takeaways
It's worth calling lapsed donors, not to raise more, but to find out how to improve your fundraising efforts.A real life story about how Kelly brought a donor back into the fold at a higher level than they'd ever g...Drop fundraising busy work with Zaps
Summary
In this episode of Fridays 4 Fundraising, Kelly shares how nonprofit organizations can leverage Zapier to automate routine tasks, saving time and increasing efficiency in fundraising efforts.
Links to Tools Mentioned
Zapier - https://zapier.comDonorBox - https://www.donorbox.orgNeon One - https://neonone.comMonday.com - https://monday.comTakeaways
Zapier can connect multiple tools to automate fundraising tasks.Automation frees up staff to focus on relationship-building rather than data entry.A well-structured automation system can operate seamlessly without constant o...Advocate for a Professional Development Budget
Summary
In this episode of Fridays 4 Fundraising, Kelly talks about how to get your board to buy into professional development budgets.
Links
Check Out DonorboxRequest a Discovery Call
Takeaways
Present fundraising investments as gains, not a way to prevent losses.Use data to show the potential return on investment.Frame fundraising needs as opportunities for growth.Keywords
fundraising, nonprofit, professional development, donor retention, board engagement, fundraising strategy, nonprofit success, donor retention improvement, fundraising support
Call Your Donors: 10 Donors You Don't Know
Summary
In this episode of Fridays 4 Fundraising, Kelly emphasizes the importance of personal donor engagement through calls, advocating for a return to traditional relationship-building methods to boost fundraising effectiveness. She shares practical steps for nonprofit leaders to reconnect with donors and improve retention.
Links
Check Out DonorboxRequest a Discovery Call
Takeaways
The decline of digital-only fundraising strategiesThe importance of personal donor relationshipsPractical steps for calling and engaging donorsChapters
00:00 Welcome to Fridays 4 Fundraising
00:41 T...
Land more donor meetings with one simple strategy
Summary
In this episode of Fridays 4 Fundraising, Kelly explains how nonprofit fundraisers can leverage calendar scheduling links to increase efficiency and build stronger donor relationships. Kelly shares practical steps to implement these tools and improve fundraising outcomes.
Links
Check Out DonorboxRequest a Discovery Call
Takeaways
Using calendar links is now essential for donor engagement.Set up three default meeting types: 30-min virtual, 60-min virtual, 90-min in-person.Choose a platform that integrates well with your existing tools.Donors prefer efficient, no-hassle scheduling options....
Stop Fundraiser Burnout
Summary
In this episode of Fridays 4 Fundraising, Kelly shares insights on managing fundraiser burnout by understanding the physiological stress response and practical techniques to stay resilient.
Links
Check Out DonorboxRequest a Discovery CallSign up for How To Fundraise Without Burning Out workshop
Takeaways
Burnout is the freeze response, a physiological reaction to stress.Managing stress involves making your body feel safe through physical and social activities.Understanding the physicality of stress is crucial for long-term resilience.Chapters
...Boost Donor Retention: BCC yourself on donation thank yous
Summary
In this episode of Fridays 4 Fundraising, Kelly shares a simple yet powerful technique to enhance donor relationships and increase retention—BCC'ing team members on donation autoresponders. She explains how this easy step can foster real conversations, improve engagement, and ultimately boost fundraising success.
Links
Check Out DonorboxRequest a Discovery CallSign up for How To Fundraise Without Burning Out workshop
Takeaways
Using BCC in autoresponders helps to build relationships by prompting conversations with donors you wouldn't have otherwise.Improving donor retention requires pers...Call Your Donors: Top 10 Donors
Summary
In this episode of Fridays 4 Fundraising, Kelly talks about why phone calls to donors still matter—even (and maybe in spite of) the age of digital efficiency. This week, start with your top 10 donors to begin making strides in donor retention and upgrades.
Links
Check Out DonorboxRequest a Discovery CallSign up for How To Fundraise Without Burning Out workshop
Takeaways
The importance of calling donors for relationship buildingSteps to effectively call top donorsUsing digital tools to enhance face-to-face interactionsManaging fundraising burnout and...Boost Your Fundraising Productivity: Eliminate!
Summary
In this episode of Fridays 4 Fundraising, Kelly shares practical strategies for nonprofit fundraising success, focusing on eliminating non-essential tasks to free up time for relationship building and mission impact. She emphasizes the importance of focusing on activities that directly support organizational goals.
Links
Join Sustain & Thrive: https://www.fromscratchfundraising.com/sustain-thriveSchedule a Discovery Call: https://www.fromscratchfundraising.com/scheduleCheck Out DonorBox: https://donorbox.org/?kfl_ln=zdbknjuTakeaways
Eliminate tasks that don't support...Boost Your Fundraising Productivity: Delegate!
Summary
In this episode of Fridays 4 Fundraising, Kelly shares a practical framework for nonprofit leaders to boost productivity by automating, operating efficiently, and delegating tasks. This episode offers actionable steps to free up time for relationship building and strategic growth via delegation--even when there's nobody to delegate to!
Links
Join Sustain & Thrive: https://www.fromscratchfundraising.com/sustain-thriveSchedule a Discovery Call: https://www.fromscratchfundraising.com/scheduleCheck Out DonorBox: https://donorbox.org/?kfl_ln=zdbknjuTakeaways
...Boost Your Fundraising Productivity: Operate!
Summary
In this episode of Fridays 4 Fundraising, Kelly shares practical strategies for creating standard operating procedures (SOPs) to streamline operations, automate tasks, and build sustainable systems. She also introduces her Nurture and Grow consulting program to help organizations develop long-term fundraising strategies.
Links
Join Sustain & Thrive: https://www.fromscratchfundraising.com/sustain-thriveSchedule a Discovery Call: https://www.fromscratchfundraising.com/scheduleCheck Out DonorBox: https://donorbox.org/?kfl_ln=zdbknjuTakeaways
Create SOPs for recurring tasks to save brainpower and ease delegation/handoffsPrepare...Boost Your Fundraising Productivity: Automate!
Summary
In this episode of Fridays 4 Fundraising, Kelly shares practical strategies for nonprofit fundraisers to boost productivity through automation, effective use of tools like Zapier, and strategic planning. She emphasizes the importance of simplifying tasks, automating repetitive processes, and building sustainable fundraising systems.
Links
Join Sustain & Thrive: https://www.fromscratchfundraising.com/sustain-thriveSchedule a Discovery Call: https://www.fromscratchfundraising.com/scheduleCheck Out DonorBox: https://donorbox.org/?kfl_ln=zdbknjuCheck Out Zapier: https://zapier.comTakeaways
Review your to-do list for a...Understand Welcome Series in Six Minutes
Summary
In this episode of Fridays 4 Fundraising, Kelly walks you through the WHY of a welcome series so that you can better understand HOW to build an effective welcome series.
Links
Download the Welcome Series Template: https://www.fromscratchfundraising.com/emailJoin Sustain & Thrive: https://www.fromscratchfundraising.com/sustain-thriveSchedule a Discovery Call: https://www.fromscratchfundraising.com/scheduleCheck Out DonorBox: https://donorbox.org/?kfl_ln=zdbknjuUnconventional ways to build your email list.
Summary
In this episode of Fridays 4 Fundraising, Kelly talks about where to build your email list, depending on whether your strategy includes just donors or other audiences. She also discusses unconventional strategies that are wildly successful for list building for small nonprofits.
Download the Welcome Series Template: https://www.fromscratchfundraising.com/email
Join Sustain & Thrive: https://www.fromscratchfundraising.com/sustain-thrive
Schedule a consultation call: https://www.fromscratchfundraising.com/schedule
Takeaways
You don't alway...Build a better list without complicated subscription forms
Summary
In this episode of Fridays 4 Fundraising, Kelly talks about how to balance the need to gain data on your prospective donors with keeping your subscription forms lean.
Download the Welcome Series Template: https://www.fromscratchfundraising.com/email
Join Sustain & Thrive: https://www.fromscratchfundraising.com/sustain-thrive
Schedule a consultation call: https://www.fromscratchfundraising.com/schedule
Takeaways
Be strategic in identifying what data you really need from email subscribers to implement your email segme...Rethink your opening act with prospective donors.
Summary
In this episode of Fridays 4 Fundraising, Kelly talks about why we need to think about donor relationships more like real-life relationships...because they ARE real-life relationships.
Join Sustain & Thrive: https://www.fromscratchfundraising.com/sustain-thrive
Schedule a consultation call: https://www.fromscratchfundraising.com/schedule
Takeaways
Asking a stranger to donate to your nonprofit is about as nonsensical as asking a stranger to help you move or babysit your children.People need more interesting reasons to sign up fo...Annual Reports: Give Them Life!
Summary
In this episode of Fridays 4 Fundraising, Kelly talks about how to give your Annual Report life and staying power. We're re-thinking the role of annual reports—not as a one-time task, but as something that should be integrated into ongoing communication with donors. Kelly introduces the concept of impact meetings, where organizations can engage donors directly, share stories, and gather feedback, ultimately fostering deeper connections and loyalty. She encourages organizations to think creatively about how to leverage their annual reports throughout the year and to consider implementing impact meetings as a strategy for donor en...
Annual Reports: Pick the Right Data
Summary
In this episode of Fridays 4 Fundraising, Kelly may have gone on a bit of a tangent about the overhead myth. But more generally, Kelly talks about how to integrate data with the narratives you're telling in your annual report. She highlights how donors are interested in understanding how their contributions impact not only our mission-driven outcomes, but also the growth of the organization as an institution.
Join Sustain & Thrive: https://www.fromscratchfundraising.com/sustain-thrive
Schedule a Discovery Call: https://www.fromscratchfundraising.com/schedule
...
Annual Reports: Pick the Right Stories
Summary
In this episode, Kelly discusses the need to craft compelling narratives that resonate emotionally and intellectually with the audience. The conversation also touches on the various formats of annual reports and how they influence the storytelling approach, encouraging organizations to reflect on their most significant developments and how to present them effectively.
Join Sustain & Thrive: https://www.fromscratchfundraising.com/sustain-thrive
Request a Discovery Call with Kelly: https://www.fromscratchfundraising.com/schedule
Takeaways
The framework of annua...Annual Reports: Pick the Right Format
Summary
In this episode of Fridays 4 Fundraising, Kelly discusses how annual reports are evolving, emphasizing the need for innovative formats that engage donors effectively. She highlights the shift away from traditional, lengthy reports towards more dynamic and accessible options, such as short PDFs, videos, and community engagement events. The focus is on understanding donor preferences and creating meaningful connections through impactful communication.
Join Sustain & Thrive: https://www.fromscratchfundraising.com/sustain-thrive
Request a Discovery Call with Kelly: https://www.fromscratchfundraising.com/schedule
Takeaways
New year, new gratitude campaigns
Episode Summary
Summary
In this episode of Fridays 4 Fundraising, Kelly chats about the importance of conducting post-year-end gratitude campaigns to build donor loyalty. She discusses how organizations often bombard donors with requests for money without following up on the impact of their contributions. By effectively communicating the outcomes of donations and treating donors as partners, nonprofits can foster stronger relationships and encourage continued support.
Get Support
Note: We only support U.S.-based nonprofit organizations that are IRS designated 501(c)(3) organizations...
Kick off Stewardship with a Tax Letter
Episode Summary
Summary
In this episode of Fridays 4 Fundraising, Kelly emphasizes the importance of sending tax letters to donors as a way to enhance donor appreciation and loyalty. She discusses the key elements of crafting effective tax letters, including the timing, content, and legal language to use. Additionally, she highlights the need for a solid fundraising infrastructure to support organizations in their fundraising efforts.
Get Support
Note: We only support U.S.-based nonprofit organizations that are IRS designated 501(c)(3) organizations...
Year End Work isn't Over Until You Say Thanks
Episode Summary
Summary
In this episode of Fridays for Fundraising, Kelly emphasizes the importance of donor stewardship after year-end fundraising. She discusses how autoresponders are insufficient for expressing gratitude and suggests personalized approaches to thank donors, such as thank you calls and personal emails. Kelly encourages small nonprofits to leverage their ability to connect with donors on a personal level, fostering loyalty and engagement.
Takeaways
Fundraising success requires warm connections, not just autoresponders.Personalized thank yous can significantly impact donor loyalty.Small n...Year End Campaign: Final Pitch on Dec 31
Summary
In this episode of Fridays 4 Fundraising, Kelly emphasizes the importance of concise messaging, effective use of visuals, and engaging donors beyond just fundraising campaigns to make a compelling pitch for donations on December 31. With practical tips and a focus on simplicity, Kelly aims to help nonprofits drive donations and build lasting relationships with their supporters.
Join Sustain & Thrive: https://www.fromscratchfundraising.com/sustain-thrive
Join the Recipe for Relief Workshop Waitlist: https://www.fromscratchfundraising.com/2026-relief
Takeaways
Nobody is reading a long emai...Year End Campaign: Simple Ways to Amplify Results
Summary
In this episode of Fridays 4 Fundraising, Kelly shares actionable strategies for small nonprofits to enhance their year-end fundraising campaigns by making small adjustments rather than drastic changes, engaging donors through personal outreach, and effectively communicating the impact of donations. Kelly also discusses the role of board members in fundraising efforts and introduces the concept of peer-to-peer connection as a way to boost campaign performance. The episode concludes with a preview of upcoming workshops and programs designed to support nonprofit leaders in their fundraising efforts.
Join Sustain & Thrive: https://www...
