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:
So, this is me: I’m Marcela. Originally from Colombia, living in Calgary, Alberta. I'm a mom to Sebastian and Olivia, a creative at heart (I love to bake—but cooking? Not so much 😉), and a passionate advocate for nonprofit work. If you’re curious, I also created a workbook for families (with activities to help build empathy and connection). Check it out here. Since I was a teenager, I’ve been giving back through volunteering, community leadership, and championing causes I believe in. That love for impact and service led me to where I am today: ✨ A fractional marketing partner for nonprofits. I bring over 10 years of hands-on experience in nonprofit marketing, including strategy, storytelling, digital campaigns, and, most importantly, a heart for the cause. What do I really do? I help nonprofit leaders take marketing and communications off their already overflowing to-do lists, and replace them with clarity, consistency, and a sustainable path to visibility and engagement. Here’s what I believe in:
But now, I want to hear from you. Who are you? Hit reply; I’d love to get to know you. 💌
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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
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...
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...
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...