Fridays 4 Fundraising

Kelly McLaughlin
  • 5.0 (5)
  • NON-PROFIT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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.

  1. 6H AGO

    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 engagement.   Join Sustain & Thrive: https://www.fromscratchfundraising.com/sustain-thrive   Schedule a consultation call: https://www.fromscratchfundraising.com/schedule   Takeaways Sending out your annual report is not a one and done activity.Think about how you can roll out your annual report throughout the year.Impact meetings can enhance donor engagement and loyalty.Donors appreciate being involved in the organization's mission.Annual reports should facilitate ongoing conversations with donors.Engaging donors through Q&A sessions can provide valuable insights.Leverage annual report energy to discuss future plans with donors.Invite donors to see the impact of their contributions firsthand.There's no one-size-fits-all approach; find what works for your organization.Feedback from donors can lead to new ideas and strategies.  Chapters 00:00 Welcome to Fridays 4 Fundraising 00:48 This Week's Focus: Annual Report Meetings 01:17 How to Give Your Annual Report Life with Report Meetings 05:54 This Week's Assignment: Give Your Annual Report Life   Keywords annual reports, donor engagement, impact meetings, fundraising strategies, nonprofit communication

    8 min

  2. FEB 20

    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   Takeaways Donors want to hear about organizational growth and change, and your Annual Report is a great place for telling those stories and providing that data.Financial transparency is crucial in annual reports.Overhead costs should be openly discussed with donors.Data should support the narrative being told in the report as integrating metrics with stories enhances donor understanding of impact outcomes.Capacity building stories are important for donor confidence.  Chapters 00:00 Welcome to Fridays 4 Fundraising 00:48 This Week's Focus: Data for Annual Reports 02:33 Quick Note on the "Overhead Myth" 03:51 How to Pick the Right Data for Your Annual Report 07:45 Resources to Support Your Growth 09:11 This Week's Assignment: Pick Relevant Data   Keywords annual reports, financial transparency, donor communication, nonprofit storytelling, impact metrics, organizational growth, capacity building, donor engagement, overhead costs, mission outcomes

    10 min

  3. FEB 13

    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 annual reports is changing due to better donor communication.Storytelling is crucial in annual reports to engage donors.Crafting narratives involves making donors feel and think.Different formats require different storytelling approaches.Client stories are common, but institutional storytelling is also important.  Chapters 00:00 Welcome to Fridays 4 Fundraising 00:48 This Week's Focus: Annual Reports & Storytelling 01:34 How to Pick Stories for Your Annual Report 04:42 Resources to Support You 06:04 This Week's Assignment: Decide How to Tell a Story   Keywords annual reports, storytelling, nonprofit communication, donor engagement, data presentation, narrative crafting, client stories, organizational growth, impact stories, communication strategies

    7 min

  4. FEB 6

    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 Annual reports are evolving; there's no one-size-fits-all format.Donors are less interested in traditional printed reports.Engagement with donors should be frequent and dynamic.Consider your audience's preferences when creating reports. Shorter, more visual formats can be more effective.Community-building events can replace traditional reports.Focus on the impact of donations to retain donor interest.  Chapters 00:00 Welcome to Fridays 4 Fundraising 00:48 This Week's Focus: Formats for Your Annual Report 01:07 How To Pick the Right Format for Your Annual Report 06:09 This Week's Assignment: Pick an Annual Report Format 06:30 Resources to Get You Growing   Keywords annual reports, donor engagement, nonprofit fundraising, impact reporting, communication strategies

    8 min

  5. JAN 30

    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 or that are fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)(3) organization. Sustain & Thrive: Engaging, Supportive Group Learning: https://www.fromscratchfundraising.com/sustain-thrive Nurture & Grow: Your Individual Giving Program Launch: https://www.fromscratchfundraising.com/nurture-grow Not sure what you need? Request a Consultation: https://www.fromscratchfundraising.com/schedule   Takeaways Put equal effort into thanking donors as you do in asking for money.Donors want to know what happened after they donated.Treat donors as partners in your mission, not just sources of funds.Donors are passionate about the causes they support; acknowledge that passion.Creating a sustainable fundraising strategy is essential for long-term success. Chapters 00:00 Welcome to Fridays 4 Fundraising 00:48 This Week's Focus: Gratitude After Year End 03:14 How to Do Gratitude Campaigns 05:32 This Week's Assignment: Find a Way to Partner with Your Donors 06:15 Fundraising Resource You can Afford Keywords fundraising, donor loyalty, gratitude campaigns, nonprofit, communication, donor engagement, fundraising strategy, donor partnership, nonprofit management, fundraising success

    8 min

  6. JAN 23

    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 or that are fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)(3) organization. Sustain & Thrive: Engaging, Supportive Group Learning: https://www.fromscratchfundraising.com/sustain-thrive Nurture & Grow: Your Individual Giving Program Launch: https://www.fromscratchfundraising.com/nurture-grow Not sure what you need? Request a Consultation: https://www.fromscratchfundraising.com/schedule   Takeaways Sending tax letters is a best practice for donor relations.Send letters when donors receive other tax documents.Include a summary of accomplishments in the tax letter.Use clear language about tax deductibility to avoid legal issues.Creating tax letters should be a straightforward processRegular communication fosters a sense of partnership with donors.  Chapters 00:00 The Importance of Tax Letters for Donors 03:37 Crafting Effective Tax Letters 05:16 Building Sustainable Fundraising Strategies Keywords tax letters, donor appreciation, fundraising, nonprofit, donor loyalty, charitable deductions, communication, impact letters, fundraising infrastructure, donor relations

    8 min

  7. JAN 16

    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 nonprofits have an advantage in donor engagement in being able to personalize relationships with donors.Thank you call-a-thons can be fun and effective.Building relationships with donors is crucial for retention.Creative thank you strategies can enhance donor experience.  Get Support Note: We only support U.S.-based nonprofit organizations that are IRS designated 501(c)(3) organizations or that are fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)(3) organization. Sustain & Thrive: Engaging, Supportive Group Learning: https://www.fromscratchfundraising.com/sustain-thrive Nurture & Grow: Your Individual Giving Program Launch: https://www.fromscratchfundraising.com/nurture-grow Not sure what you need? Request a Consultation: https://www.fromscratchfundraising.com/schedule Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Fundraising Success 00:53 The Importance of Donor Stewardship 05:01 Creative Ways to Thank Donors 08:12 Conclusion and Next Steps Keywords fundraising, nonprofit, donor stewardship, thank you calls, donor loyalty, small nonprofits, fundraising strategies, donor engagement, nonprofit success, fundraising tips

    9 min

  8. 12/22/2025

    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 email on December 31st.How short can you make a case for support?A picture is worth a thousand words.Simple is actually a real winner.  Chapters 00:00 Kickstarting Your Fundraising Journey 00:43 Maximizing Year-End Campaigns 04:20 Engaging Donors Effectively 05:51 Planning for Future Success   Keywords fundraising, nonprofit, year-end campaigns, donor engagement, email marketing, short messaging, video content, fundraising strategies, donor stewardship, sustainable fundraising

    10 min
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About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Kelly McLaughlin
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    25
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Kelly McLaughlin
  • Show Website
    Fridays 4 Fundraising