Agents of Nonprofit: Building Donor Relationships One Call at a Time with Kel Haney

Written By Coral Cohen

In this heartfelt and tactical episode of Agents of Nonprofit, I speak with Kel Haney, a fundraising coach who champions the old-school power of the phone call. She breaks down why personal calls still work, even in the age of declining answer rates, and how nonprofits can use warm outreach to foster lasting donor relationships. From crafting compelling voicemails to replacing rigid scripts with conversational frameworks, Kel’s approach is rooted in empathy, authenticity, and action.

Topics We Cover:

  • Why phone calls still matter in the digital age

  • The power of “warm calls” vs. cold calls in donor outreach

  • Crafting voicemails that donors actually want to hear

  • How follow-up emails can reinforce your message and drive action

  • Best practices for caller ID, remote work tools, and hybrid systems

  • Replacing scripts with flexible messaging frameworks

  • How thank-you calls and donor stewardship can lead to major gifts

Coral Cohen
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Fundraising Everywhere: Conversation With Kel Haney On Taking The Ick Out Of The Ask