How to Partner with Family Foundations (Tom Kelly)

Special thanks to Armstrong McGuire for bringing these conversations to life, and for their commitment to strengthening leadership throughout nonprofit organizations. Learn more about how they can help you at ArmstrongMcGuire.com.

What if the key to growing your nonprofit’s sustainability and reach was hiding in plain sight? In episode 330 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, entrepreneur and philanthropist Tom Kelly shares how family foundations, often overlooked or misunderstood, can be powerful allies for nonprofit leaders. He breaks down the misconceptions that keep organizations from building relationships with these under-the-radar funders and offers practical strategies for meaningful engagement. Tom also explores why thinking like a for-profit business is essential to scaling nonprofit impact. Listeners will learn how to use AI to increase fundraising efficiency, how to build multigenerational philanthropic strategies, and why “living your legacy” now is just as important as what you leave behind. 

"If you have no money, you have no mission. Start thinking like a for-profit if you want to grow."

ABOUT TOM

Tom Kelly is an entrepreneur, Legacy Builder, and Founder of Legacy by Design. He helps high-net-worth families protect wealth, amplify influence, and create lasting legacies. As the founder of Legacy by Design, he empowers first-generation wealth builders to establish Private Family Foundations for tax benefits, financial literacy, and philanthropic impact. With a track record of scaling businesses to 8-figure revenues and raising over $500 million for nonprofits, Tom’s entrepreneurial approach ensures families turn success into significance for generations.

EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCES

• Check out Tom’s book Million Dollar Nonprofit
• Who Not How by Dan Sullivan
• Want to chat leadership 24/7?  Go to delphi.ai/pattonmcdowell
• Have you gotten Patton’s book Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership: Seven Keys to Advancing Your Career in the Philanthropic Sector – Now available on Audible
• Don’t miss our weekly Thursday Leadership Lens for the latest on nonprofit leadership

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