How do you launch and sustain an individual giving program—especially if you’re starting from zero? In this episode of the Nonprofit Counsel Podcast, host May Harris talks with Kelly McLaughlin, founder and CEO of From Scratch Fundraising.

Kelly shares her personal journey from organizing bake sales at age five to creating a consultancy that helps nonprofits design mission-centered, trust-based philanthropy strategies. She explains why the best fundraising isn’t about tote bags or galas—it’s about building authentic donor relationships aligned with your mission.

You’ll also hear tips for keeping development directors engaged (and reducing turnover), how to identify the right donors for your cause, and why nonprofits should stop copying other organizations and start fundraising in ways that align with their unique mission.

What You Will Learn in This Episode

✅ How to build mission-centered donor relationships that last
✅ How to identify and reach your ideal donors without chasing every platform
✅ How to retain development directors with realistic, data-driven goals
✅ How budget collaboration can unlock major gifts, like a $60K donation

Is your nonprofit ready to align investments, policies, and technology with your mission? Visit NonprofitCouncil.com to access strategies and tools to help you build sustainable impact and lead with confidence.

Key Timestamps

• 0:00 Donor relationships vs. transactions

• 2:00 Kelly’s early start in fundraising

• 4:00 Launching From Scratch Fundraising

• 8:20 The From Scratch Framework for small nonprofits

• 13:00 Finding your ideal donor beyond demographics

• 15:10 When TikTok makes sense (and when it doesn’t)

• 17:00 Development director burnout and retention strategies

• 20:30 How budget collaboration unlocked a $60,000 donor gift

• 23:00 Why “fundraising unicorns” don’t exist

• 26:30 Final tip: Keep it simple and mission-centered
  
  

Key Takeaways 

🔹 Donor engagement grows when you align fundraising with your mission
🔹 Retain development directors by setting realistic, data-driven expectations
🔹 Stop chasing every platform—focus where your donors actually are
🔹 The best fundraising tactics are born from your unique mission, not trends

Guest Bio

Kelly McLaughlin is the founder and CEO of From Scratch Fundraising. With nearly two decades in nonprofit development, she has helped organizations of all sizes—from startups to established multimillion-dollar nonprofits—launch successful individual giving programs. Her passion is helping nonprofits build from the ground up with strategies rooted in trust, mission, and sustainability.

Resources & Links

• From Scratch Fundraising

• Nonprofit Counsel Podcast
  
  

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