Million Dollar Nonprofit
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© Tom Kelly
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Welcome to The Million Dollar Nonprofit — the daily podcast for small-but-mighty teams ready to scale their impact without burning out. Hosted by nonprofit growth strategist Tom Kelly, each episode delivers no-fluff strategies to raise more, automate smarter, and finally understand what’s working (and what’s not). Learn how to use AI tools, sharp messaging, and efficient systems to turn clicks into donations, casual supporters into loyal advocates, and your scrappy org into a million-dollar nonprofit. Whether you're solo or leading a small team, this is your playbook for sustainable, scalable fundraising that actually works.
209 Episodes
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Most nonprofits deserve media coverage — they just don’t have the time or tools to pitch it right. In this episode of The Million Dollar Nonprofit, Tom Kelly reveals how AI can write press pitches that actually get picked up — saving you hours and landing real coverage that builds awareness, credibility, and donations.You’ll learn the Story. Segment. Send. framework:✅ Story: Use ChatGPT to find the emotional, human-centered angles journalists love.✅ Segment: Personalize each pitch by outlet and topic — without spending days doing it.✅ Send: Automate and track follow-ups using AI tools like Instantly.ai or Zapier.Tom even shares a real-life example of a literacy nonprofit that generated 30 AI-crafted pitches and landed five media features — including one that brought in a $25,000 donation.If you’re ready to get your nonprofit out of the shadows and into the spotlight, this episode is your playbook.Head over to our Instagram and DM us the word "AI' for our Free AI Nonprofit Growth Playbook. https://www.instagram.com/charityauctionstoday
Let’s be honest — most nonprofits have no idea which influencers actually drive donations. They just hope it’s working. But with AI-powered UTM logic, you can finally track every click, conversion, and dollar — automatically.In this episode of The Million Dollar Nonprofit, Tom Kelly breaks down how to use AI tools and tracking links to know exactly which posts and partners are pulling their weight. You’ll learn how to:✅ Build unique UTM links for every influencer (in seconds using ChatGPT)✅ Analyze campaign results with AI to see who truly converts✅ Use that data to refine, scale, and triple your resultsNo more vanity metrics, no more guessing — just smart systems that make your influencer strategy unstoppable.Head over to our Instagram and DM us the word "AI' for our Free AI Nonprofit Growth Playbook. https://www.instagram.com/charityauctionstoday
What if just 10 people could spark real momentum for your mission this week? You don’t need celebrities — you need community influencers who care about your cause. In this episode of The Million Dollar Nonprofit, Tom Kelly reveals how to build your Nonprofit Influencer Stack, a system of small collaborations that actually drive awareness, engagement, and donations. Learn how to find the right partners, co-create authentic stories, and automate your follow-up to build long-term relationships — all with AI. The framework: Align. Activate. Amplify. When you set it up right, these micro-collabs become your new donor engine.Head over to our Instagram and DM us the word "AI' for our Free AI Nonprofit Growth Playbook. https://www.instagram.com/charityauctionstoday
What if one local influencer could raise $5,000 for your nonprofit — just by sharing one Instagram Story? You don’t need celebrities to make an impact; you need the right people who believe in your mission. In this episode of The Million Dollar Nonprofit, Tom Kelly shares how to automate 90% of your influencer outreach using AI. Learn how to find local advocates, write personalized outreach scripts that sound human, and build real partnerships that keep growing. With the Find. Friend. Follow-Up. framework, you’ll turn everyday supporters into your most powerful amplifiers — without spending hours in your DMs.Head over to our Instagram and DM us the word "AI' for our Free AI Nonprofit Growth Playbook. https://www.instagram.com/charityauctionstoday
When’s the last time you read a nonprofit’s FAQ page? Most people skip them — and most FAQs are boring, jargony, and transactional. But your FAQ page doesn’t have to be a dead end. In this episode of The Million Dollar Nonprofit, Tom Kelly shows how to turn FAQs into a list-building and donation-generating machine. Using AI and the Clarify. Connect. Convert. framework, you’ll learn how to rewrite your FAQs in a warm, human tone, add emotional impact stories, and include CTAs that guide visitors to subscribe, volunteer, or give. Stop treating your FAQ like a filing cabinet, and start treating it like a welcome mat.Head over to our Instagram and DM us the word "AI' for our Free AI Nonprofit Growth Playbook. https://www.instagram.com/charityauctionstoday
Why do people line up for iPhones or grab concert tickets instantly? It’s not need — it’s FOMO. And in fundraising, the same psychology works wonders. In this episode of The Million Dollar Nonprofit, Tom Kelly breaks down how to create AI-powered countdown campaigns that inspire urgency, not guilt. You’ll learn how to design teaser emails, build automated countdowns with tools like Deadline Funnel or Zapier, and celebrate milestones that keep donors engaged until the clock hits zero. Discover the Tease. Trigger. Turbocharge. framework and how to use it to 2x or even 3x your next campaign’s results.Head over to our Instagram and DM us the word "AI' for our Free AI Nonprofit Growth Playbook. https://www.instagram.com/charityauctionstoday
How many times have people joined your waitlist or signed up for updates, only to quietly fade away? In this episode of The Million Dollar Nonprofit, Tom Kelly shows how to turn that passive interest into active giving using an AI-powered waitlist-to-donor funnel.You’ll learn how to:✅ Warm your waitlist with anticipation emails✅ Woo them with VIP-style personal invites on launch day✅ Win their donation and turn them into long-term supportersFramework: Warm. Woo. Win.This episode teaches you how to create a system that nurtures interest, builds excitement, and converts signups into loyal donors — all while automating the heavy lifting with AI.Stop leaving potential donors on the sidelines. Build a funnel that creates urgency, makes supporters feel valued, and drives donations.Head over to our Instagram and DM us the word "AI' for our Free AI Nonprofit Growth Playbook. https://www.instagram.com/charityauctionstoday
What’s the point of thousands of likes or poll votes if they never turn into donations? In this episode of The Million Dollar Nonprofit, Tom Kelly shares how to bridge the gap between engagement and action — using Zapier + AI to turn every Instagram tap, comment, or DM into a new email subscriber automatically.You’ll learn how to:✅ Capture engagement data from Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok using Zapier✅ Connect with followers using AI-written personalized email sequences✅ Convert social fans into loyal subscribers — and future donorsStop chasing vanity metrics. Start building your donor pipeline.By the end of this episode, you’ll know exactly how to use automation to move people from social media attention to long-term donor relationships — all without adding more to your workload.Framework: Capture. Connect. Convert.The smartest nonprofits aren’t just posting — they’re turning every click into growth.Head over to our Instagram and DM us the word "AI' for our Free AI Nonprofit Growth Playbook. https://www.instagram.com/charityauctionstoday
Most nonprofits build campaigns based on guesswork — assuming what donors care about instead of asking them directly. But what if you could gather real donor preferences with just a few Instagram polls?In this episode of The Million Dollar Nonprofit, Tom Kelly breaks down a simple, fast, and fun way to collect donor insights using Instagram Stories, polls, and sliders — and then use AI to turn those insights into smarter campaigns.You’ll learn how to:✅ Use Instagram polls to test fundraising ideas donors actually want.✅ Analyze poll results in ChatGPT to uncover clear donor preferences.✅ Build donor-driven campaigns that boost engagement and giving.No long surveys. No guesswork. Just interactive questions that take seconds to answer — and give you the data you need to launch your next winning campaign.Framework: Ask. Analyze. Apply.By the end, you’ll know exactly how to turn quick taps into powerful fundraising direction.Head over to our Instagram and DM us the word "AI' for our Free AI Nonprofit Growth Playbook. https://www.instagram.com/charityauctionstoday
What do Peloton workouts, Bible reading plans, and TikTok challenges all have in common? They keep people coming back — not because they’re long, but because they’re structured.In this episode of The Million Dollar Nonprofit, Tom Kelly reveals how to use that same concept to build a 5-day donor challenge funnel that creates excitement, forms giving habits, and grows donations — all on autopilot.Using the framework Hook. Habit. Harvest., you’ll learn how to:1️⃣ Hook: Create irresistible invites that get donors to join your challenge.2️⃣ Habit: Design short, story-driven daily actions that build consistency and connection.3️⃣ Harvest: Automate the funnel in tools like DonorBooks or GoHighLevel so it runs anytime.Tom shares real examples of nonprofits turning short campaigns into long-term recurring giving, and gives you ready-to-use ChatGPT prompts to write your email series and workflow instantly.Whether you’re a small nonprofit or scaling fast, this episode will help you turn quick engagement into lasting impact — without adding more to your plate.Head over to our Instagram and DM us the word "AI' for our Free AI Nonprofit Growth Playbook. https://www.instagram.com/charityauctionstoday
What’s harder than getting a donor to give? Getting them to share why they gave. Those stories are gold — but most nonprofits never capture them.In this episode of The Million Dollar Nonprofit, Tom Kelly reveals how to build a video testimonial generator using ChatGPT + Typeform so you can collect, polish, and share authentic donor stories on autopilot.Using the three-step framework — Ask. Assemble. Amplify. — Tom walks you through how to:1️⃣ Automate story collection with Typeform prompts that feel conversational and inspiring.2️⃣ Turn raw responses into 30-second video scripts using ChatGPT.3️⃣ Share testimonials across social media, email, and events to attract new donors effortlessly.You’ll even hear a real-world example of a children’s nonprofit that used this exact system to collect 45 donor stories and double engagement — all within two weeks.If you’ve ever wished your supporters could help tell your story for you, this is your blueprint to make it happen.Head over to our Instagram and DM us the word "AI' for our Free AI Nonprofit Growth Playbook. https://www.instagram.com/charityauctionstoday
Most nonprofits sit on storytelling gold — powerful donor and beneficiary testimonials that could inspire thousands, but instead, they collect digital dust.In this episode of The Million Dollar Nonprofit, Tom Kelly shows you how to take those real stories and turn them into scroll-stopping, donation-driving videos using AI tools like Descript, OpusClip, and ChatGPT.You’ll learn a simple three-step framework — Collect. Clip. Caption. — that makes it fast and easy to turn raw footage into viral TikToks, Reels, or Shorts that people actually share. From using AI to find emotional soundbites to generating engaging captions and hooks, you’ll discover how to make your nonprofit’s story shine on social media — without needing a production team.Tom also shares a real-life case study of a homelessness nonprofit that used this strategy to reach 50,000 views and raise $18,000 — all from videos they already had.If you want to grow donations through authentic, shareable storytelling, this episode is your roadmap.Head over to our Instagram and DM us the word "AI' for our Free AI Nonprofit Growth Playbook. https://www.instagram.com/charityauctionstoday
Why do people share TikToks, memes, or YouTube Shorts? Because it feels rewarding. Now imagine if your donors felt that same reward every time they shared your mission.In this episode of The Million Dollar Nonprofit, Tom Kelly breaks down how to build a donor growth loop that turns every donation into a ripple effect of giving. Using a simple three-step framework — Trigger, Reward, Repeat — you’ll learn how to encourage donor sharing at the right moment, make sharing emotionally rewarding, and create an automated referral system that keeps new donors coming in without extra effort.Tom also shares real-world examples of nonprofits who used automated tools like DonorBooks to drive 25% more new donors through simple referral systems — all without spending a dime on ads.If you’re ready to scale donor engagement and turn generosity viral, this episode is your blueprint.Head over to our Instagram and DM us the word "AI' for our Free AI Nonprofit Growth Playbook. https://www.instagram.com/charityauctionstoday
If every donor brought just one more, how fast would your nonprofit grow? Double. Triple. Explode. That’s the power of referrals — and the key to sustainable, scalable growth.In this episode of The Million Dollar Nonprofit, Tom Kelly reveals how to build a donor referral engine using AI and automation. You’ll learn the Identify, Incentivize, Integrate framework to find your best evangelists, motivate them to share your mission, and make referrals easy to track and reward.Tom breaks down how to use ChatGPT prompts to identify high-engagement donors, create low-cost recognition-based incentives, and write ready-to-share referral messages your supporters can send via text or DM.Plus, he shares a real-life case study of a food bank that grew new donor acquisition by 28% just by adding referral links into their thank-you emails.Don’t rely on hope — build a system that multiplies your mission.Head over to our Instagram and DM us the word "AI' for our Free AI Nonprofit Growth Playbook. https://www.instagram.com/charityauctionstoday
Most nonprofits treat peer-to-peer fundraising like a one-off event—a 5K here, a birthday fundraiser there—and then let it fizzle out.But what if you could turn your supporters into mini-fundraising powerhouses who continually bring in new donors, and use AI to scale it all effortlessly?In this episode, Tom Kelly shares a proven framework:Recruit. Resource. Repeat.You’ll learn how to:Use AI to identify your most engaged and socially active supportersBuild easy plug-and-play toolkits to help them fundraise confidentlyAutomate re-engagement so top fundraisers keep coming backPlus, hear a real nonprofit success story that turned 50 fundraisers into 1,200 new donors—with one-third becoming recurring givers.🎯 Don’t just run a fundraiser—build a growth engine.
When a supporter hosts a fundraiser for your nonprofit—whether it’s a birthday campaign, 5K, or classroom challenge—who usually gets thanked? The donors. But the person who did all the work—the one who rallied their friends, shared your mission, and raised the money—often gets little more than a quick “Thanks for hosting” email.In this episode of The Million Dollar Nonprofit, Tom Kelly reveals how to automate thank-you campaigns for peer-to-peer fundraisers so every supporter feels like a hero without you manually sending 200 emails. Using the Recognize. Reward. Repeat. framework, you’ll learn how to keep your most passionate fundraisers engaged—and coming back year after year.Tom breaks it down step-by-step:Recognize: Build an automated thank-you flow that celebrates fundraisers both personally and publicly with email sequences, shoutouts, and tags.Reward: Send low-cost but high-impact tokens of appreciation—certificates, swag, or shoutouts—to make fundraisers feel truly valued.Repeat: Close every thank-you sequence with an invitation to return next year, turning one-time hosts into long-term advocates.You’ll hear how one cancer nonprofit automated a 3-part thank-you campaign—immediate gratitude, recap with totals, and next-year invite—and saw 67% of fundraisers sign up again.Head over to our Instagram and DM us the word "AI' for our Free AI Nonprofit Growth Playbook. https://www.instagram.com/charityauctionstoday
What’s the real difference between a good volunteer and a great one? A good volunteer shows up, helps out, and goes home. A great volunteer spreads the word, brings their friends, and tells your story better than your staff does.In this episode of The Million Dollar Nonprofit, Tom Kelly breaks down how to turn your volunteers into donor advocates—people who don’t just give time, but also help you raise money and expand your reach. With the simple framework of Equip. Encourage. Elevate., you’ll learn how to empower volunteers to become powerful ambassadors for your mission.Tom shows you exactly how to:Equip your volunteers with advocacy kits—ready-to-share posts, prewritten texts, and quick donor invites they can share in seconds.Encourage them with impact-driven messaging and feedback that shows how their advocacy directly fuels your mission.Elevate your top advocates with public recognition, shoutouts, and small appreciation gifts that inspire others to step up.You’ll also hear a real-life example of a youth nonprofit that equipped just 50 volunteers with shareable fundraising content—and those volunteers brought in 120 new donors, with several becoming recurring givers.If you’ve ever wondered how to make your volunteers part of your fundraising team without adding more work to your plate, this episode gives you the blueprint.You’ll walk away with 3 actionable steps:Volunteers don’t just give their time, they can give you reach, donors, and momentum. Equip them, encourage them, elevate them, and watch your fundraising grow.Head over to our Instagram and DM us the word "AI' for our Free AI Nonprofit Growth Playbook. https://www.instagram.com/charityauctionstoday
How often do you contact your volunteers? Not just when you need them—but to thank them, encourage them, and invite them deeper into your mission? Most nonprofits are great at recruitment—but terrible at retention. They treat volunteers like gig workers, people who clock in, do a task, and leave.In this episode of The Million Dollar Nonprofit, Tom Kelly shares how recurring volunteer outreach can change everything. You’ll learn to set up a consistent, warm cadence of communication that keeps volunteers feeling valued, without making you sound robotic.The 3-step framework—Rhythm, Relate, Repeat—helps you build a system that engages volunteers at the right frequency, personalizes messages at scale using AI, and automates sequences so outreach happens seamlessly. Tom walks you through creating a 12-month volunteer communication calendar, crafting emails with personalization tokens, and building recurring sequences that drip gratitude, storytelling, invitations, and feedback requests—all automatically.You’ll also hear a real example of a community theater that automated quarterly outreach, boosted volunteer retention by 37%, and converted several volunteers into donors. This episode gives you the tools and prompts you need to keep volunteers connected, appreciated, and engaged year-round.Whether you’re managing a small team or hundreds of volunteers, this system helps you nurture relationships, increase retention, and turn helpers into long-term champions—all while saving time and energy.Head over to our Instagram and DM us the word "AI' for our Free AI Nonprofit Growth Playbook. https://www.instagram.com/charityauctionstoday
Tired of chasing down volunteers with endless reminder emails, last-minute shift swaps, and chaotic spreadsheets? You’re not alone. Most nonprofit leaders spend way too much time coordinating volunteers—and it doesn’t have to be that way.In this episode of The Million Dollar Nonprofit, Tom Kelly shows you how to build the easiest volunteer coordination system ever, using nothing more than AI + Google Calendar. No fancy software, no steep learning curve—just a simple system that runs on autopilot.You’ll learn the 3-step framework—Schedule, Sync, Support—to move your volunteer coordination out of chaos and into clarity. Tom covers how to set up color-coded calendars, automate reminders via email and SMS, and even use AI to handle last-minute cancellations by suggesting replacements.You’ll also hear a real-world example of a food bank that used this system to boost attendance by 26% and cut staff coordination time in half. By the end, you’ll have a roadmap for freeing up your time, reducing stress, and giving volunteers the clear communication they need to show up ready.Whether you’re running a gala, managing weekly shifts, or coordinating hundreds of volunteers, this system will help you simplify scheduling, improve reliability, and keep everyone on the same page—automatically.Head over to our Instagram and DM us the word "AI' for our Free AI Nonprofit Growth Playbook. https://www.instagram.com/charityauctionstoday
Most nonprofits think of volunteers as helping hands—but the smartest leaders see them as something more. Volunteers are not just free labor; they’re future donors, champions, and even board members. The question is: how do you move people from “I’ll help for an hour” to “I’m all in for the mission”?In this episode of The Million Dollar Nonprofit, Tom Kelly introduces the Volunteer Loyalty Ladder, a simple three-step system—Welcome, Wow, Win—that transforms one-time helpers into lifelong supporters. You’ll learn how to roll out the red carpet for new volunteers, create experiences that “wow” them and keep them coming back, and invite them into deeper commitment when the time is right.Tom shares practical examples, including an animal rescue that used this exact system to turn 22% of its volunteers into financial donors within a year. You’ll also discover how to automate welcome sequences, create low-cost wow moments, and craft the perfect “ask” that moves loyal volunteers into monthly giving, committees, or leadership roles.By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clear roadmap for turning volunteers into champions who don’t just give their time, but also their treasure—and fuel your nonprofit’s long-term growth.Head over to our Instagram and DM us the word "AI' for our Free AI Nonprofit Growth Playbook. https://www.instagram.com/charityauctionstoday
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