Hi, I'm

Rachel Ayotte

Nonprofit Content Writer

Bio

Rachel is a versatile writer with experience spanning journalism, publishing, marketing, copywriting, and nonprofit storytelling. She uses her experience across industries and audiences to empower changemakers and nonprofits to communicate with clarity and impact. If she's not writing or editing (or reading!), you can find her baking chocolate chip cookies, running, or throwing pottery.

Expertise

Articles by

Rachel Ayotte

Butter character holding flowers as a representation of donor-centric fundraising

Donor-centric fundraising: 6 ways to raise more & keep donors longer

Donor-centric fundraising puts your supporters at the center of everything. Here's what it means and how to make it work for your nonprofit.

Donor-centric fundraising: 6 ways to raise more & keep donors longer
Butter character pointing to fundraising graphics

Nonprofit fundraising graphics: 11 types, free templates & sizes

Everything your nonprofit needs to create scroll-stopping fundraising graphics: 11 types, free Canva templates, and platform sizes all in one place.

Nonprofit fundraising graphics: 11 types, free templates & sizes
Butter character selecting Venmo at donation checkout

Venmo for nonprofits: How it works & how to get more out of it

Nonprofits can use Venmo, and your donors already love it. Here's what Venmo charity profiles offer, where they fall short, and how to get donor data, tax receipts, and recurring giving in one place.

Venmo for nonprofits: How it works & how to get more out of it
Butter character gesturing towards a donor wall

10 popular donor wall ideas (physical, digital, & beyond)

A donor wall gives supporters the recognition they deserve. Learn why it matters and explore creative ideas to build your own.

10 popular donor wall ideas (physical, digital, & beyond)
Butter character reading the nonprofit storytelling book

The 4-part nonprofit storytelling framework (with real examples)

Learn a four-part nonprofit storytelling framework that turns donor updates into compelling narratives—with real campaign examples and tips for sharing across every channel.

The 4-part nonprofit storytelling framework (with real examples)
Mr Butter exploring donation drive ideas

30+ donation drive ideas: Online, in-person, school & more

Discover 30+ donation drive ideas to engage donors, raise more, and make giving fun.

30+ donation drive ideas: Online, in-person, school & more
Butter character looking closely at pie chart

How to start a monthly giving program: 9 steps & free templates

Build a monthly giving program from scratch or strengthen an existing one with this step-by-step guide and free outreach templates for email, text, and social media.

How to start a monthly giving program: 9 steps & free templates
Butter character holding megaphone

Volunteer recruitment: 9 proven strategies for 2026

Learn where to find volunteers, what messaging works, and how to turn interest into long-term supporters.

Volunteer recruitment: 9 proven strategies for 2026
Butter character with a gavel standing by a table full of auction packages

30+ auction packages nonprofits swear by (& how to price them)

Excite your supporters with these charity auction package ideas, along with practical tips for pricing, displaying, and promoting them to maximize bids.

30+ auction packages nonprofits swear by (& how to price them)
Butter character holding pledge card

9 free pledge card templates for nonprofits (& when to use them)

All the dos and don’ts you need to know, from when to use a pledge card to how to create one that’s clear, simple, and donor-friendly.

9 free pledge card templates for nonprofits (& when to use them)
Butter character holding pledge agreement

Pledge agreements for nonprofits: What they are & free template

Learn when pledge agreements make sense, when they don’t, and how to keep pledges clear, simple, and stress-free.

Pledge agreements for nonprofits: What they are & free template
Butter character holding a coin and a pledge card

Pledge vs. donation: When & why to use each (free template!)

Learn when to ask for a pledge versus a donation, how each affects cash flow, and how to choose the right approach for your nonprofit.

Pledge vs. donation: When & why to use each (free template!)
Mr Butter celebrating national volunteer week

National Volunteer Week 2026: Dates, ideas, & how to celebrate

National Volunteer Week 2026 runs April 19–25. Here's everything your nonprofit needs to know to celebrate, recognize, and recruit volunteers.

National Volunteer Week 2026: Dates, ideas, & how to celebrate
Mr Butter holding a heart as a symbol of volunteer appreciation

50 volunteer appreciation ideas: Gifts, events, quotes & more

From heartfelt gifts to creative events and ready-to-use quotes, here are 50 ways to make every volunteer feel seen and valued.

50 volunteer appreciation ideas: Gifts, events, quotes & more
Heart and hand icons next to butter character

10 benefits of volunteering backed by science

Volunteering improves health, builds skills, strengthens communities, and drives real results for nonprofits. Here's what the research actually shows.

10 benefits of volunteering backed by science
Butter character holding checklist next to calendar

The volunteer management framework: Recruit, retain, repeat

Learn how to recruit, train, and engage volunteers with proven strategies that reduce burnout, boost retention, and strengthen your mission.

The volunteer management framework: Recruit, retain, repeat
Mr butter learning about nonprofit job board

8 best nonprofit job boards to find mission-driven talent (2026)

Looking to hire for your nonprofit? Here are the top job boards to find the right people to help you advance your mission.

8 best nonprofit job boards to find mission-driven talent (2026)
Mr Butter as director of philanthropy

Director of philanthropy: The real job behind the title

Learn what a director of philanthropy does, how it compares to development director and chief development officer roles, plus salary and key skills.

Director of philanthropy: The real job behind the title
Butter character next to laptop exploring GiveWP alternatives

The 5 best GiveWP alternatives

Looking for a new donation plugin for your WordPress site? Check out the top alternatives to GiveWP to make the best decision for your nonprofit.

The 5 best GiveWP alternatives
Butter character holding a bag of coins and a tool symbol

The 5 best Little Green Light alternatives

How do Little Green Light’s features stack up against competitors? Check out prices, tools, and more to find the right fit for your nonprofit.

The 5 best Little Green Light alternatives
Butter character holding a sprout as a symbol of planned giving

Planned giving: How to start small for big giving

Planned gifts are a meaningful way loyal donors can support your mission for the long term, and even small nonprofits can get started without a big, formal program or years of experience.

Planned giving: How to start small for big giving