Your old event lists aren’t dead — they’re dormant.
You know that spreadsheet from last year’s gala? The trivia night roster? The silent auction RSVPs from 2021? Most nonprofits treat those lists like they’re useless. But those names already showed up for you. They bought tickets, placed bids, and raised their hands to say, “I care.”
Today on The Million Dollar Nonprofit, I’m walking you through a powerful 4-step system — the R.S.V.P. Donor Reboot — to help you turn cold event lists into warm, re-engaged donors. We’re talking zero awkward emails, fully automated outreach, and reactivation messages written in minutes with AI.
I’ll show you how to segment your lists by past engagement, craft messages that reconnect instead of pressure, and build a smart, simple campaign that runs in the background — and brings donors back.
No ad spend. No chasing. Just real results from the people who already believed in your mission once.
Most nonprofits lose up to 70% of their donors after the first gift. But what if reactivating those donors didn’t require more emails, more hustle, or more guesswork?
In this episode of The Million Dollar Nonprofit, I break down a proven 3-step system called the Reactivation Flywheel — a smart, automated way to reconnect with lapsed donors and turn “we haven’t heard from them in years” into “they just gave again.”
You’ll learn:
One nonprofit used this system to raise $11,300 from 147 donors they thought were gone — all in just 10 days. And you can too.
If you’ve got lapsed donors sitting in your CRM, this episode could be your comeback story.
🎧 Tune in now and grab the prompts, real examples, and tool stack that make it all work.
You don’t need a month-long campaign to raise real money. Sometimes, all it takes is three emails and 48 hours. But here’s the key—urgency without the hype.
In today’s episode of The Million Dollar Nonprofit, Tom Kelly walks you through the exact 3-email flash campaign framework that’s helped nonprofits raise thousands—fast—without burning out their list or sounding spammy. You’ll learn how to structure your emails, what to say (and avoid), and how to use AI to write it all in under 30 minutes.
We cover:
Whether you’ve got a matching gift, a micro-goal, or an auction countdown—this is how to build momentum fast and keep donors excited to give.
You’ve got a powerful story. A generous donor list. A solid campaign plan. But if your email subject line doesn’t land? None of it matters. No opens. No clicks. No gifts.
In today’s episode of The Million Dollar Nonprofit, I’ll show you the five subject lines that helped real nonprofits raise over $100,000, and break down why they worked—plus how to use AI to generate dozens more that fit your mission, your voice, and your donors.
You’ll learn:
Whether you’re writing to new donors, lapsed givers, or auction bidders, this episode gives you the tools to make your next subject line your best-performing asset.
You’ve seen those guilt-trip emails: “If you don’t give now, someone suffers.” Yikes. That kind of pressure may get one donation—but it kills trust.
In today’s episode of The Million Dollar Nonprofit, Tom Kelly breaks down a better way: ethical urgency. Learn the Three C’s Framework—Clarity of Timing, Consequences of Delay, and Community in Motion—to move donors to action without manipulation.
You’ll walk away with:
✅ A messaging formula that feels good (and actually works)
✅ AI prompts to build your own high-performing emails
✅ A ready-to-use 5-part donor campaign framework
✅ Real-life results from a nonprofit that raised $18K in 5 days—without pressuring anyone
If you want campaigns that donors love to open—and love to give to—this episode’s your blueprint.
📘 Grab the book: The Million Dollar Nonprofit on Amazon
🛠️ Powered by DonorBooks + CharityAuctionsToday
Don’t Beg, Build: How Empowered Donors Give More—and Keep Giving
There’s a lie baked into nonprofit culture: “We’re just asking for help.” But today, we’re flipping that script. Because you’re not begging—you’re building. And when donors feel like builders, not wallets, they don’t just give... they stay.
In this episode of The Million Dollar Nonprofit, Tom Kelly unpacks the Builder Mindset Framework—a simple, powerful shift in how you talk to donors. You’ll learn how to create messaging that affirms identity, showcases real outcomes, and invites collective ownership. Why? Because empowered donors give more, return more often, and bring others along.
Plus: Tom shares exact ChatGPT prompts, email flows, and automation tools you can plug in today using DonorBooks, ConvertKit, and more—so your fundraising runs on connection, not guilt.
You’ll walk away with a full empowerment engine. No pressure. Just momentum.
Automate Your Nonprofit’s Impact Stories—No Interviews, No Stress
Let’s face it: collecting testimonials can be a mess. You forget to ask, they forget to reply, and when the story finally comes in? It’s a three-sentence scramble with no punctuation. But what if collecting powerful donor-ready stories was automatic?
In this episode of The Million Dollar Nonprofit, Tom Kelly shows you how to capture, clean, and publish real impact stories—without interviews, awkward asks, or email chasing. You’ll learn how to use forms, automations, and AI (yep, ChatGPT) to turn raw testimonials into emotional, clear, donor-facing stories. Plus, how to store and tag them so your next appeal, grant, or social post is just a copy-paste away.
This is storytelling on autopilot. No burnout. No bottlenecks. Just proof your mission works—and tools that do the heavy lifting.
Let’s be honest—most nonprofit annual reports take forever to finish… and barely get read. They’re bloated, over-edited, and exhausting. But what if your next report practically wrote itself? In today’s episode of The Million Dollar Nonprofit, we’re flipping the script.
You’ll learn how to create a clear, beautiful, and impactful annual report—in a single afternoon—using just three AI-powered tools:
✔ ChatGPT for the writing
✔ Beautiful.ai or Canva for the design
✔ Smart prompts to make it all feel effortless
You’ll also get real-world examples, ready-to-use templates, and time-saving tips to help you go from notes to polished report fast. No more bottlenecks. No more 2 a.m. editing sessions. Just real data, real stories, and a real plan to wow your donors—and inspire more giving.
Subscribe now to The Million Dollar Nonprofit and turn your biggest reporting headache into your next fundraising win.
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Year-end appeals shouldn’t feel like a last-minute scramble. Yet every December, it’s the same story—rushed emails, last-ditch asks, and crossed fingers. What if this year felt different?
In today’s episode of The Million Dollar Nonprofit, we’re ditching the chaos and building your year-end appeal in one sitting—with AI. You’ll get the exact prompts, templates, and structure to create a compelling story, map your 4-week campaign, and write every email, post, and text—fast.
Here’s what we’re covering:
Whether you’re a one-person shop or leading a full team, this is your shortcut to raising more—without burning out. Grab your coffee, open ChatGPT, and let’s knock out your biggest campaign of the year.
“Wait, what do you do again?” If you've ever heard that question after explaining your nonprofit… you're not alone. Most nonprofit elevator pitches are either too vague, too long, or packed with insider jargon.
In today’s episode of The Million Dollar Nonprofit, we’re fixing that—with the help of AI. In less than 30 minutes, you’ll walk away with a clear, compelling pitch you can actually use:
✔ A 1-liner that makes people get it
✔ A short paragraph for emails and grant intros
✔ A 90-second story that moves donors to act
You’ll get real-world examples, AI prompts to build your pitch fast, and tips for testing what actually works. Because if donors, partners, and funders don’t understand what you do in 10 seconds or less… you’re losing support before the conversation even starts.
Subscribe now, grab the prompts, and let’s make your message unmissable.
You’re at a gala. A major donor leans in and says:
"If I gave you a million dollars right now, what would you do with it?"
Would you hesitate? Or are you ready with a clear, confident answer?
In this episode of Million Dollar Nonprofit, we’re tackling the powerful question every nonprofit should be prepared to answer:
What would you do with a million dollars—today?
We’ll unpack why clarity around your financial needs builds donor trust, how to align your goals with actual costs, and what to say when you don’t have a strategic plan (yet).
You’ll learn:
This episode will challenge you to think bigger—and get ready for your next major opportunity.
Stop dreaming. Start planning. Let’s go.
Imagine meeting a potential donor, funder, or partner—and they ask, “So, what does your nonprofit do?”
You have one minute to make them care.
In this episode of The Million Dollar Nonprofit, host Tom Kelly walks you through the exact steps to craft a powerful origin story that connects emotionally, builds credibility, and invites action—in 60 seconds or less. Whether you're writing a donor email, prepping a social media video, applying for a grant, or making a quick pitch at a networking event, this formula will help you communicate with clarity and heart.
Tom shares:
If you've ever stumbled through your own story—or felt like no one truly understood your mission—this episode is for you.
Stop rambling. Start resonating.
Craft a story your audience will remember—and feel.
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Be honest—when was the last time you told a story that actually moved someone to give? Not just smile. Not just nod. But pull out their wallet. Click the link. Say yes.
Because in nonprofit fundraising, it’s not enough to “tell a story.” You have to tell the right story. In the right way. At the right time. And that’s exactly what we’re unpacking today.
Welcome to The Million Dollar Nonprofit. I’m Tom Kelly, and this is the daily show that helps you raise more, scale faster, and finally feel confident about your messaging.
Today’s episode? The 3-Part Storytelling Formula That Unlocks Donor Emotions. It’s the go-to framework for telling stories that connect with hearts and wallets. You’ll learn how to shape real stories around a structure that creates emotional pull and inspires action.
We’re covering:
If your last appeal felt “flat,” this is your fix. Let’s turn real stories into real revenue—with one framework you’ll use again and again.
You already know stories are powerful—but are your stories doing more than just inspiring your donors? In this episode of The Million Dollar Nonprofit, we walk you through the exact 3-part storytelling formula that doesn’t just make donors feel something—it makes them act.
Host Tom Kelly breaks down how to tell stories that begin with a face, not a fact… that focus on emotional clarity over organizational complexity… and that end with an invitation donors can’t ignore. Using the ABC framework—Adversity, Breakthrough, Change—you’ll learn how to craft short, effective stories that are perfect for emails, speeches, social media, donor letters, and more.
You’ll also hear a real-world case study of how one nonprofit raised $18,000 from a single email using this very formula—and how you can do the same, even with a small list.
Whether you're a founder, fundraiser, or communications lead, this is storytelling made simple, strategic, and donor-centric.
If your last fundraising campaign didn’t hit the mark, the problem probably wasn’t your mission, your audience, or even your budget—it was your hook. The truth is, most campaigns fall flat not because they lack heart, but because they never capture attention in the first place.
In this episode of The Million Dollar Nonprofit, Tom Kelly shows you how to craft a high-converting hook using AI—and why it should be the first thing you build, not the last. You’ll learn how to turn simple emotional ideas into full campaigns that actually convert: from email subject lines to video intros, from donation pages to ad copy.
Best of all? You don’t need a marketing team or ad agency to make it work. Just a smart strategy, a few powerful prompts, and the willingness to test what connects. Plus, hear how one nonprofit used this approach to raise over $11K in 4 days—without changing their list or budget.
This is the stuff that cuts through the noise and opens wallets.
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Most nonprofits are sitting on a goldmine—and they don’t even realize it. It’s not a new campaign, a major gift, or a secret donor list. It’s your founder’s story.
In this episode of The Million Dollar Nonprofit, Tom Kelly shares why your founder’s journey might be your most powerful untapped fundraising asset—and how to use it. You’ll learn how to uncover the emotional core of your story, how to structure it using the “WHY, HOW, NOW” framework, and how to use it across emails, social media, grant applications, events, and more.
Whether you're the founder or helping tell their story, this episode will help you connect more deeply with donors and turn authenticity into action. Because when people believe in your story—they’ll believe in your mission.
Listen now and learn how to lead with the story that started it all.
What if one video could raise $10,000 for your cause?
Not for clicks. Not for visibility. But for real, measurable donations.
In this episode of The Million Dollar Nonprofit, Tom Kelly walks you through a clear and actionable strategy to create one powerful donor video—even if you have no editing skills, no video team, and only your phone.
You’ll learn:
Nonprofits are using this exact framework to raise $5,000 to $10,000 with a single short video. Now it’s your turn.
Make one video. Make it count.
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Think TikTok is just for teenagers and viral dances? Think again. In today’s episode of The Million Dollar Nonprofit, host Tom Kelly breaks down The Nonprofit TikTok Playbook — Powered by AI and Automation. You’ll learn how to turn raw, real, 30-second videos into a high-impact donor engine — no full-time social team, no flashy filters, no stress required.
We’ll walk through exactly how to use AI to write powerful short scripts, film authentic clips on your phone, and use free tools like CapCut and Repurpose.io to post everywhere from TikTok to Instagram Reels to LinkedIn. Plus, how to turn those videos into donor funnels with ConvertKit and a few strategic automations.
You’ll also hear a real-life case study of a small nonprofit that raised $4,300 in five days — with just one video and a $10 donation link.
If you’ve ever said, “We just don’t have time for TikTok,” this episode was made for you.
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YouTube isn’t just for influencers and viral cat videos—it’s one of the most powerful tools your nonprofit is probably overlooking. In this episode of The Million Dollar Nonprofit, host Tom Kelly walks you through exactly how to turn YouTube into a lead-generation, donor-nurturing, visibility-growing engine for your organization.
You’ll learn how to set up your channel for success, use AI tools like ChatGPT and Pictory to create videos without a full production team, and build trust with new audiences through smart content strategies like playlists, shorts, and testimonials. Plus, Tom breaks down how YouTube can help you establish thought leadership, drive traffic to your donation page, and even bring in passive revenue.
Whether you’re brand new to video or looking to level up your existing content, this episode will show you how to unlock YouTube’s full potential—for free.
Ever hit record and instantly forget what to say? Or filmed a “quick” donor video… only to redo it seventeen times? You’re not alone—and you don’t need to be perfect on camera. You just need a plan.
In this episode of The Million Dollar Nonprofit, host Tom Kelly breaks down how to use one powerful ChatGPT prompt to script emotional, effective nonprofit videos in minutes. Whether you’re filming an appeal, a thank-you message, or a board update, Tom shows you how to:
This isn’t about going viral—it’s about getting results, raising money, and making your message stick.
