Episode 148: Celebrate Donors Year-Round: Birthday & Holiday Automation

Most nonprofits miss the simplest opportunities to make donors feel valued—birthdays and holidays. Instead of connecting, they send one big “please donate” email and call it a year. But these moments are emotional touchpoints that build real loyalty.

In this episode of The Million Dollar Nonprofit, Tom Kelly shows you how to turn calendar dates into meaningful connections. You’ll learn how to set up automated birthday and holiday messages that feel personal, heartfelt, and handwritten—without ever having to remember a thing. Using a simple framework: Acknowledge. Personalize. Automate., you can make donors feel celebrated and seen all year long.

Tom walks you through step-by-step strategies, including ChatGPT prompts for warm, short emails, text messages, and even 15-second videos. You’ll also learn how to automate these touchpoints using tools like DonorBooks, ConvertKit, or CharityAuctionsToday. Real-world examples show how a youth mentoring nonprofit increased repeat gifts by 37% just by making donors feel remembered.

By the end of this episode, you’ll have a complete system for donor delight—birthdays, holidays, and “just because” moments—all fully automated, leaving you more time to focus on your mission while building loyalty and deeper connections.

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