Ep 22 - Building an Individual Giving Program from Scratch

NonProfit Counsel Podcast

Welcome to The Nonprofit Counsel podcast, hosted by May Harris, Esq.. In today's episode, we're delighted to visit with the remarkable Kelly McLaughlin. Kelly has consistently made waves in the nonprofit world, from fundraising with bake sales when she was just five years old to becoming a seasoned professional fundraiser. As the visionary behind “From Scratch Fundraising,” Kelly possesses a unique expertise in guiding nonprofits of all sizes toward sustainable success. Her knack for crafting, building, and scaling individual giving systems alleviates burnout and empowers organizations to maximize their impact. Join May and Kelly as they delve into the keys to nonprofit fundraising success. Kelly shares invaluable tips and tricks from her extensive experience, providing listeners with actionable insights to propel their organizations forward.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [1:22] Kelly shares her background of fundraising since the age of five

• [5:58] No fear in asking for money is the key to success

• [8:24] Kelly’s advice for new organizations regarding fundraising

• [14:19] Everyone is not your ideal donor, and every social media outlet is not for you

• [17:30] Discussion about the longevity of a fundraiser and the expectations required of them

• [26:59] Kelly discusses keeping everything mission centered

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• [7:09] Inviting donors to give invites them to participate in something extraordinary. If they say no, it’s their loss because they don’t get to be a part of an incredible impact.

• [9:41] Nonprofit fundraising needs to be specific to your goals. Don’t give away tote bags or do events just because another nonprofit does that.

• [19:12] Executive Directors must treat their fundraiser as a partner to have a successful team.

RESOURCES:

For Profit Law Group - Website

Nonprofit Counsel - Website

Nonprofit Counsel - Instagram

Nonprofit Counsel - Linkedin

From Scratch Fund Raising - Website

Kelly McLaughlin - Linkedin

BIOGRAPHIES:

May Harris has been a pioneer of nonprofit law practice for over a decade, having founded For Purpose Law Group in April 2012. She serves the nation's nonprofit sector with unparalleled expertise, prioritizing her client's missions, visions, and values. She specializes in nonprofit & tax-exempt organizations, social enterprise & business law, and estate planning & charitable giving.

GUEST BIOGRAPHY:

Kelly McLaughlin is a dynamic creator, engaging speaker, systems architect, and passionate nonprofit advocate. With a love for crafting the perfect recipe for success, she excels in assembling the essential ingredients to make your individual giving program not just efficient but downright delightful.

Kelly started fundraising as a five-year-old, changing the world one bake sale at a time, and has been a professional fundraiser since 2009. Creator of the Framework for Fundraising Sustainability, Kelly excels in guiding nonprofits through crafting, building, and scaling individual giving systems that not only banish burnout but also empower clients to create a more substantial impact.

Kelly has a B.A. in Spanish (Literature) and International Studies (Political Communications) and an M.A. in Social Justice and Human Rights, with a concentration in Nonprofit Management. She's scaled an individual giving program from $300k to $1m in annual revenue in just four years and she ran a capital campaign for a brand-new nonprofit that raised $250k in six months.