The Million Dollar Nonprofit Podcast

Most nonprofits pour energy into getting that first donation—then ghost the donor right after. In this episode of The Million Dollar Nonprofit , Tom Kelly reveals the exact AI-powered welcome sequence that turns first-time givers into lifelong supporters—automatically. You’ll get the full breakdown of the 3-part sequence, including ChatGPT prompts to help you write thank-you emails, impact stories...

Can ChatGPT actually help your nonprofit raise real money? In this episode of The Million Dollar Nonprofit , Tom Kelly reveals the exact five AI prompts that helped generate over $50,000 in donations—without a gala, without cold calls, and without a big team. You’ll learn how to use ChatGPT to write high-converting fundraising emails, engaging auction item descriptions, donor thank-you messages, a...

AI Was Raising Money While I Slept What if your most effective fundraiser never needed a desk, never burned out, and worked all night long? In this episode of The Million Dollar Nonprofit, Tom Kelly pulls back the curtain on “The Invisible Fundraiser”—a smart, automated system powered by AI tools that helps nonprofits bring in donations, follow up with leads, and build stronger donor relationships...

What if you could raise thousands of dollars in just one hour without the stress of months-long planning or your team burning out? It’s not too good to be true! On this episode of The Million Dollar Nonprofit, Tom Kelly breaks down his “Flash Fundraising Flywheel,” a 3-step framework to execute a high-energy, one-hour AI-powered fundraiser. Discover how to: Use AI tools like Instantly.ai, ChatGPT,...

Feeling overwhelmed by endless to-dos? You’re not alone. Most nonprofit leaders juggle admin work, emails, events, and everything else under the sun. But here’s the good news: 80% of that busywork could be automated! In this episode of The Million Dollar Nonprofit , Tom Kelly shares how AI and automation can take your nonprofit from surviving to thriving. Discover the 3-step AI Growth Engine frame...

What if your nonprofit could keep donors engaged year after year, regardless of your team’s capacity? Katie Mendez, founder of Built to Raise, joins us to unpack her game-changing Donor Experience (DX) Matrix, designed for individual giving programs. Katie shares: A breakdown of the four essential pillars of the DX Matrix (Thank, Share Impact, Engage, Solicit) and why they matter. How nonprofits c...

Learn how to leverage data and analytics to measure your organization's success, identify areas for improvement, and communicate your impact more effectively to stakeholders. Data insights allow you to assess operational efficiency, monitor program outcomes, and make informed decisions that align with your strategic goals. Whether you're navigating fundraising challenges, adopting new technologies...

In this episode I sat down with Mark Harvey. Mark shares his family's inspiring philanthropic journey through their Family Foundation. He reflects on the values his father instilled in him, the power of generosity, and the importance of engaging the next generation in giving. We also dive into also how storytelling plays a key role in raising awareness and funds for causes and why building strong...

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 sustainabil...

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 an...

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 abo...

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 e...

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 actionab...

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...

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:...

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 struc...

In this episode, we're diving into event sponsorships and their immense potential for nonprofit fundraising. Joining me is Mariah Monique, an expert in event sponsorship strategies, to share actionable insights on: - Why sponsorships are a game-changer for nonprofits. - How to create long-lasting partnerships with sponsors. - Strategies to maximize sponsor engagement and ROI. - Innovative sponsors...

Today we are uncovering how nonprofits can achieve long-term sustainability with insights from Wendie Veloz, a social impact expert with over 15 years of experience. Wendie introduces her proven 9-dimension sustainability model, packed with actionable strategies to help your nonprofit thrive. What You'll Learn: - How to identify and stop ineffective programs while maximizing impact. - Why leadersh...

We are exploring the power of messaging and storytelling for nonprofit growth with Blake Benton, founder of Coming Together for a Cure. Learn how to craft authentic, compelling narratives that resonate with donors, volunteers, and the communities you serve. Discover practical tips for simplifying complex topics, tailoring your message to diverse audiences, and empowering your team to share impactf...

In this episode of The Million Dollar Nonprofit Podcast, Tom Kelly is joined by Kerri Mollard, CEO of Mollard Consulting, LLC, to explore the often misunderstood role of nonprofit boards in fundraising. Discover: The key differences between board giving and board fundraising. How to achieve 100% board participation without the pressure of direct solicitation. Practical tips for building a culture...

Join Tom Kelly and email marketing expert Kristi Scott as they explore the ins and outs of email fundraising for nonprofits. Discover why email remains one of the most effective ways to engage donors and learn how a well-crafted donor welcome sequence can build loyalty from the very first interaction. From planning your email sequence to understanding what makes a welcome email powerful, Christy s...

Tom is joined by Sean Kosofsky, aka "The Nonprofit Fixer," to discuss the top five creative metrics nonprofits should track to measure organizational effectiveness. Discover innovative ways to showcase impact beyond numbers, from leveraging technology to enhancing your reputation as "currency." Sean shares tips on resilience, building strong community relationships, and preventing challenges befor...

Tom Kelly and nonprofit expert Allison Plattsmier share actionable nonprofit fundraising strategies tailored to different generations—from Baby Boomers and Gen X to Millennials and Gen Z. Learn how to engage younger donors through mobile-friendly, social media-driven approaches, while mastering donor segmentation and strategic growth for your nonprofit. Discover how to boost donations by crafting...

We dive deep into how nonprofits can scale their fundraising efforts by transitioning from outdated spreadsheets to powerful CRM systems. Joined by financial data expert Christine Robertson, we discuss the benefits of donor management systems, how personalized donor relationships can double or even triple donations, and the key CRM features every nonprofit needs to grow. If you're still using Exce...

Tom Kelly dives deep into the critical topic of nonprofit board assessments with Gregory Nielsen, President and CEO of Nielsen Training and Consulting. Gregory shares invaluable insights on why assessing your board's performance regularly is essential for the long-term success of any nonprofit. Learn the importance of setting clear board expectations, fostering accountability, and how a strong, di...