SummaryIn 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.LinksCheck Out DonorboxRequest a Discovery Call TakeawaysMail merge can personalize donor updates and increase engagement when used SPARINGLY.Using mail merge for important, targeted communications can create a sense of exclusivity and intimacy.Always use mail merge strategically to avoid spamming donors.Tools like Outlook, Gmail, and third-party plugins can facilitate mail merge.Donor stewardship emails sent via mail merge can generate immediate responses and conversations.Keywordsfundraising, nonprofit, mail merge, donor communication, stewardship, email marketing, nonprofit tips

SummaryIn 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.LinksCheck Out DonorboxRequest a Discovery Call TakeawaysCheck 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 relationships beyond financial contributionsKeywordsfundraising, nonprofit, donor retention, LYBUNT, donor engagement, fundraising strategy, nonprofit tips

SummaryIn 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.LinksCheck 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 last donation date for targeted campaigns.Leverage Zapier to connect platforms that don't natively integrate.Keywordsnonprofit fundraising, email segmentation, donor management, CRM, donor engagement, fundraising strategies, nonprofit tips

SummaryIn 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.LinksCheck Out DonorboxRequest a Discovery Call TakeawaysWhen 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 you are your mission's greatest asset.Keywordsfundraising, fundraiser burnout, nonprofit burnout, rest is resistance, nonprofit leadership

SummaryIn 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.LinksCheck Out DonorboxRequest a Discovery Call TakeawaysIt'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 given before.Keywordsfundraising, lapsed donors, donor engagement, nonprofit, Kelly McLaughlin, donor retention, fundraising tips

SummaryIn 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 MentionedZapier - https://zapier.comDonorBox - https://www.donorbox.orgNeon One - https://neonone.comMonday.com - https://monday.comTakeawaysZapier 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 oversight.Nonprofits can implement sophisticated workflows even with small teams. Chapters00:00 Welcome to Fridays 4 Fundraising00:48 Thanks to Donorbox!01:17 This Week's Focus: Drop busywork with Zapier02:07 How to drop busywork with Zapier06:55 Resources to Support You08:10 This Week's Assignment: Automate something that will save you hoursKeywordsfundraising automation, Zapier, nonprofit efficiency, donor management, workflow automation

SummaryIn this episode of Fridays 4 Fundraising, Kelly talks about how to get your board to buy into professional development budgets.LinksCheck Out DonorboxRequest a Discovery Call TakeawaysPresent 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.Keywordsfundraising, nonprofit, professional development, donor retention, board engagement, fundraising strategy, nonprofit success, donor retention improvement, fundraising support

SummaryIn 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.LinksCheck Out DonorboxRequest a Discovery Call TakeawaysThe decline of digital-only fundraising strategiesThe importance of personal donor relationshipsPractical steps for calling and engaging donorsChapters00:00 Welcome to Fridays 4 Fundraising00:41 Thank You to Donorbox!01:08 This Week's Focus: Call Your Donors, part 2!04:10 How to Approach Calling Donors You Don't Know05:49 Let's hang out!06:53 Your Homework Assignment: Call 10 Donors You Don't Know Keywordsfundraising, donor engagement, nonprofit, relationship-building, donor calls, fundraising strategy, Kelly McLaughlin, From Scratch Fundraising

SummaryIn 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. LinksCheck Out DonorboxRequest a Discovery Call TakeawaysUsing 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.ChaptersChapters00:00 Welcome to Fridays 4 Fundraising01:07 The Shift in Donor Scheduling Preferences01:38 Why Calendar Links Are a Must Now03:55 Choosing the Right Scheduling Platform05:17 Setting Up Default Meeting Types06:09 Matching Meeting Types to Donor Needs06:50 Quick Setup Tips for Calendar Links06:58 Your Weekly Homework: Implement a Calendar Link Keywordsfundraising, nonprofit, calendar scheduling, donor relationships, efficiency, digital tools, fundraising tips

SummaryIn 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.  LinksCheck Out DonorboxRequest a Discovery CallSign up for How To Fundraise Without Burning Out workshop TakeawaysBurnout 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.Chapters00:00 Welcome to Fridays 4 Fundraising02:40 Understanding Fundraiser Burnout05:19 Physiological Responses to Stress08:14 Strategies for Managing Stress10:58 Building a Burnout Recovery Action Plan13:51 Workshop Invitation and Conclusion Keywordsfundraiser burnout, stress management, nonprofit, sustainable fundraising, mental health, stress response, burnout recovery, Kelly McLaughlin, DonorBox, fundraising tips