Last week, I had the chance to speak at the AFP AI Bootcamp at Bentley University. It was one of those events that reminded me how fast this technology is moving and how much these tools will change our work.

My workshop focused on building custom GPTs to support fundraising, marketing, and prospect research. We talked about how custom tools can make work more efficient without losing our voice or human touch.

If you want to see what I shared, I’m linking my slides and a custom GPT instruction template you can use to start building your own.

Download the slides and GPT template ⬇️

After more than a decade helping mission-driven organizations with their communications, we know how frustrating it can feel to pour time into emails that don’t get opened or acted on.

That’s why Day Kibilds and I built something new: The Advancement Email Strategy, Writing, and Metrics course. 🎉

Visit the course website

It’s designed for higher ed and nonprofit marketing pros who want to:

• Write emails that actually connect your community and supporters
• Use plug-and-play frameworks for appeals, newsletters, and event promotions
• Track the right metrics (without wasting hours in spreadsheets)

This week, we’re opening enrollment to our community first. You’ll receive 25% off (founding cohort pricing) if you join by Sunday at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Spots are limited, and this is the lowest price the course will ever be.

We’d love for you to be part of this first group. Together, we’ll make email the channel you can trust to drive real results.

Key strategies for effective email communication

Today’s nonprofits, rely on email to connect with donors, members, and stakeholders. But, with inboxes becoming more and more crowded, how can your messages stand out and nurture meaningful relationships? Drawing from insights in Mailed It!, this article offers strategies to enhance your email communication and create real connections.

Understanding reader behavior

Research indicates that readers spend seconds glancing at each email before deciding to read or delete it. This fleeting attention span stresses the need for clarity and brevity in your messages. By understanding and anticipating reader behavior, you can design emails that capture attention and communicate your message effectively.

Strategies for effective email communication

1. Craft clear and concise messages: Ensure your emails are straightforward, avoiding jargon and lengthy paragraphs. Aim to communicate your main point in the first sentence.
2. Design for readability: Use headings, bullet points, and short paragraphs to make your content scannable. This approach caters to 70% of readers who may only skim your email.
3. Personalize your content: Strike a personal tone. Address recipients by name and tailor content to their interests or past interactions with your organization. Personalization increases engagement rates.
4. Include a clear call-to-action (CTA): Whether it’s donating, registering for an event, or reading a story on your website, make sure your CTA is prominent and easy to follow.
5. Test and optimize: Regularly analyze your email performance metrics, including open and click-through rates, to identify areas for improvement. A/B testing different subject lines and content formats can provide valuable insights.

Implementing these strategies as a north star can help nonprofit marketers improve email outreach and cultivate stronger relationships with readers. As we say in Mailed It!, effective emails aren’t about gimmicks but investing in straightforward, honest, and purposeful communication. Start refining your email strategy to see tangible results in your membership and donor engagement.

For more in-depth insights and practical templates, get the book Mailed It!: A Guide to Crafting Emails That Build Relationships and Get Results. Looking for hands-on training? Explore our upcoming workshops designed to help nonprofit professionals master the art of email communication.

Ashley Budd is a bestselling author, senior marketing director, and nonprofit consultant.

Define your team identity to support decision-making and collaboration

• Pre-selected core values list (provided in pre-work)
• Sticky notes or a digital collaboration tool (Miro, MURAL, or a shared document)
• Flip chart or whiteboard for capturing key themes
• Timer to keep discussions focused

1. Provide team members 20–30 potential values (e.g., integrity, excellence, flexibility, innovation, collaboration). Use this simple card-sorting tool to make pre-work easy and enjoyable!
2. Ask each person to select the five values that best represent the team’s identity and how they hope to work together.
3. Collect responses and look for shared values. Group similar values into nested themes (e.g., Honesty could nest under integrity, decisiveness could nest under leadership, etc.).

1. Set the stage: Explain that this session is about defining the team’s identity and ensuring that values drive decision-making and collaboration.
2. Present the top values/themes collected from pre-work. Display them visually.

• “Do these themes resonate with how we see ourselves as a team?”
• “Are there any missing elements that should be considered?”

• “Where do you see these values showing up in our work?”
• “Can you share an example of a time when we embodied these values?”
• “What challenges do we face in consistently living these values?”

• “How should these values guide our decision-making as a team?”
• “How should our values guide collaboration with others?”

• “What’s one thing you will do differently after this discussion?”
• “How can we hold each other accountable for our values in action?”