Most nonprofit burnout isn’t a motivation problem — it’s a focus problem.

In this episode of The Million Dollar Nonprofit, hosted by Tom Kelly, we break down how the 80/20 rule applies directly to fundraising growth, donor retention, and nonprofit strategy.

You’ll discover why a small percentage of donors drive most of your revenue, why a handful of messages create most of your engagement, and why focusing on high-impact activities leads to sustainable growth without exhausting your team. If you’re overwhelmed, juggling campaigns, events, emails, and still feeling stuck, this episode will help you simplify, prioritize, and scale smarter.

Because fundraising success isn’t about doing more — it’s about protecting the 20% that actually moves the mission forward.

Most nonprofits are proud of their big annual fundraiser. The gala. The walk. The tournament. The auction night. It feels productive. It brings in revenue. It’s tradition.

But what if that once-a-year event is quietly limiting your growth?

In this episode of The Million Dollar Nonprofit, Tom Kelly breaks down why depending on one major fundraiser creates compressed revenue, shallow donor relationships, and team burnout. Big events often create the illusion of progress without building long-term momentum.

You’ll learn:

• Why events concentrate risk instead of building stability

• How feast-or-famine fundraising keeps nonprofits stuck

• The difference between event donors and mission donors

• How to turn your event into a long-term relationship engine

• Three simple actions to make your next fundraiser smarter, not bigger

Events aren’t the problem. The way you use them is.

If you want predictable revenue, stronger donor retention, and less burnout, this episode will shift how you think about fundraising strategy.

Are you tired of hearing, “I’m not a fundraiser”?

In this episode, Tom Kelly sits down with nonprofit strategist Esther Saehyun Lee to reframe what fundraising really means. Esther helps executive directors, board members, and staff see that fundraising isn’t just about the ask—it’s about connection, trust, and sharing your mission in meaningful ways.

They dive into:

• Why so many nonprofit leaders feel like fundraising isn’t their job
• The lightbulb moment when people realize they already are fundraisers
• How small and medium nonprofits can engage their teams and boards to share the fundraising load
• Simple, high-impact donor stewardship practices you can implement today
• The power of authentic storytelling and avoiding extractive narratives

Free Gifts for Listeners

1. Sweet Treat Quiz for Nonprofit Leaders – Take a fun, silly quiz to find out what sweet treat you need and what it says about your leadership archetype. Take the quiz here https://opinionstage.com/page/d95ef3db-f580-4a72-9b57-265e34ad6cc5
2. Limited Troubleshooting Calls – Esther is offering 4 private 30-minute troubleshooting calls to help you tackle your nonprofit’s fundraising challenges. To secure one of the 4 spots, email her directly at esther@elevatephilanthropyconsulting.com

If you want to reimagine fundraising, engage your team, and strengthen your nonprofit’s impact, this episode is packed with actionable insights and encouragement to get started.

Want to chat with Esther directly? Find her on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/esther-saehyun-lee/

For more info on Esther, visit her website: https://www.elevatephilanthropyconsulting.com/

and for more additional resources from her here: https://candid.org/blogs/hidden-labor-behind-nonprofits-authentic-storytelling/