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Marcela Zafra

I help nonprofits give their mission the visibility they deserve through various marketing strategies. I am a seasoned marketing expert with a track record in digital advertising, content and email marketing strategies; I bring more than ten years of experience in the nonprofit sector. Clients value my ability to see the big picture and create practical, executable marketing strategies. My transformative digital initiatives in a previous role with Brown Bagging For Calgary’s Kids boosted new website visitors by 141 percent and website engagement by 130 percent. I also grew their online community by almost 20 percent across all social media platforms and generated hundreds of leads through targeted Google and Facebook ads. As a creative thinker with a growth mindset, I love bringing ideas to life through painting, drawing, and dreaming. I offer Fractional Marketing support for nonprofits looking to: Increase awareness Boost fundraising efforts Build a thriving community of supporters. Reduce stress and workload. Execute strategic and consistent marketing efforts. Fractional marketing gives small and medium-sized nonprofits access to the expertise of a seasoned marketer on a part-time (fractional) basis. It's for organizations looking to enhance their marketing efforts with a small budget, and that means hiring inexperienced staff who require more effort and time to manage. marcela@marcelazafra.com www.marcelazafra.com

Featured Post

Giving bold missions the clarity they deserve

Hello Reader Today, I want to share the story of an inspiring organization doing transformative work for newcomers: Passport to Integration. They offer an evidence-based online literacy and well-being program designed to help immigrants confidently navigate the challenges of starting a new life in Canada. When we met, they had a powerful vision, but were struggling with visibility, brand clarity, and strategic direction. As their Fractional Marketing Partner, I supported them to:- Define...

Hello Reader,I hope your week is going well, as I continue to celebrate and reflect on what this year in business has meant to me. I wanted to share what I believe is the biggest gift I have received. One of the biggest gifts my business has given me is freedom. And with that freedom came flexibility. Early on, I thought I needed rigid schedules and tight control to succeed. But I quickly learned that flexibility, not rigidity, is what actually allows me to do my best work. Specific creative...

Hello Reader Today I want to share a story that is deeply personal to me — my partnership with Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association (CIWA). Thirteen years ago, when I first arrived in Calgary, I was a client at CIWA. Fast forward to today, and I had the privilege of returning, not as a newcomer, but as their Fractional Marketing Manager. CIWA was going through a mid-management transition, and like many nonprofits, they needed strategic support to keep things moving forward. Together, we...

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Hello Reader As a celebration of my one-year anniversary, I will share one lesson and spotlight one client per week! Today I want to share a story about an organization that will always hold a very special place in my heart: Brown Bagging for Calgary’s Kids (BB4CK). BB4CK is a powerful community of Calgarians who come together every single school day to care for 15,000 kids. 💛 After spending five wonderful years working in-house with this incredible team, I had the honour of returning...

Hello Reader As I mentioned last week, this is the first email of a series of emails about the lessons I learned in my first year in business. I will send two emails per week. If you wish to stop receiving these emails but remain on the list, please click here When I first started my business, I thought I had to say yes to every opportunity. Every discovery call felt like a job interview, and I showed up hoping to be chosen. But then something shifted. I realized I’m not just a service...

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Hello Reader I can hardly believe it’s been one year since I officially took the leap into running my business full-time! This past year has been a rollercoaster of learning, growth, and (yes!) a few moments that took my breath away. But above all, it has been a year filled with connection, purpose, and incredible partnerships. I’m so grateful for every nonprofit leader and team who has trusted me to support their marketing and communications. Together, we’ve built strategies, launched...

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I've worked with an organization whose feed looked busy, but it wasn't moving the needle. Here is why. Reader, last week we talked about email—and how it is way more effective than social media. So, what is the purpose of social media then? This is what I tell my clients:Social media is your window to the world.It helps you stay top of mind and build trust. It’s where you show up as yourself, keep your brand promise, and stay true to your mission. But sometimes, we get so busy that social...

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Most nonprofits pour their energy and resources into social media, but the ROI numbers tell a different story. Reader, I continue to see a lot of hesitation from nonprofits to send emails consistently and in a rgular (and higher) cadence. Here’s the truth: Email marketing generates $36 for every $1 spent Social media? Just $8 for every $1 invested Yet, I still see hesitation from nonprofits when it comes to sending more emails. Not just during campaigns (and even then, many cringe when I...

Hello Reader, It's been a while since I last wrote an email. Between client work, running a business and having a 5-year-old and a 7-year-old on summer break, life has been busy. I wanted to send this email with two purposes in mind: I will be changing the way I send emails: from now on, you will receive emails from me once a week or every other week. I will send you quick marketing and communications tips, interesting articles, and templates to make your life easier and save you time....

[First Name], This is for you. Are you doing all the things? Managing programs, writing grants, posting on social media, updating the website, and trying to stay visible while wishing you had a strategic, experienced marketing partner by your side? If you’ve ever said, “I need help, but we don’t have the budget for a full-time hire,” Or "My organization is the best-kept secret" Keep reading. I’m opening three new spots for Fractional Marketing Support starting July 1, August 1, and September...