Meet Autumn Kelley

Founder, AK Marketing Services

I believe nonprofit marketing should be as intentional and impactful as the work it supports.

Too many organizations doing life-changing work struggle to get the visibility, engagement, and funding they deserve—not because their mission isn’t meaningful, but because their message isn’t moving people.

I started AKMS to change that.

My mission is to help nonprofits communicate with the same clarity and conviction they bring to their programs, so they can deepen community connection, inspire lasting support, and grow the impact they’re here to make.

Built on Purpose. Backed by Experience.

Before launching AKMS, I served as the in-house marketing manager for a $58M human services nonprofit, leading campaigns across fundraising, development, and advocacy. I’ve been on lean teams, wearing many hats. I’ve built comms systems from scratch. I know the pressure of tight timelines, big goals, and content that can’t wait.

In the years since, I’ve helped organizations raise over $4.6 million, reduce digital ad spend by 56% year over year, grow organic social reach by 528%, and earn United Way recognition for internal fundraising outcomes.

I’m a strategist, storyteller, and executor who thrives at the intersection of vision and action. And I’m proud to be a long-term partner to the nonprofit teams doing the work that matters most.

The Ethics That Guide My Work

When you're sharing stories that represent real people and real challenges, how you tell them matters. I approach every message, campaign, and collaboration with care, transparency, and deep respect for the communities served.

That shows up in four core ways:

  • Truthful storytelling

    No exaggeration. No emotional manipulation. Just real experiences, responsibly shared.

  • Dignity-first representation

    I reject exploitative imagery and tactics. Every narrative is handled with context, consent, and care.

  • Respectful donor engagement

    Guilt isn’t a strategy. I help you inspire, inform, and invite donors into a shared mission.

  • Clear, honest urgency

    We can communicate real needs without sensationalizing them.

Who I Work Best With

I’m a great fit for nonprofit leaders, marketing teams, and purpose-driven organizations that are ready to elevate their communications, and need a strategic partner to help them do it.

You’re likely in the right place if…

✔️ You’ve outgrown DIY comms or fragmented freelancer support
✔️ You need clear, campaign-ready messaging that moves people to act
✔️ Your team is stretched thin and you’re ready to bring in a thought partner
✔️ You want stronger systems around donor, digital, or seasonal content
✔️ You care about quality—but don’t have time to micromanage it
✔️ You’re ready to lead with clarity and show up consistently

A Consultant Is Only as Strong as Her Convictions.

  • Storytelling isn’t optional—it’s everything.

    Stories move people. They educate, inspire, and spark giving—but most nonprofits treat them as a nice-to-have. I believe story is a strategy. The strongest campaigns, appeals, and brands are rooted in thoughtful, year-round storytelling that amplifies truth and builds connection.

  • Trust is the most valuable currency a nonprofit can earn.

    Marketing should move people… not manipulate them. That’s why my work is rooted in clarity over complexity, strategy over scrambling, and dignity over drama. When your communications are grounded and intentional, trust follows.

  • Donor journeys are human journeys.

    People don’t give to institutions. They give to what those institutions represent. I help teams create human-centered messaging and touchpoints that reflect that reality. That includes consistent, meaningful donor communications across the full lifecycle, not just at year-end.

  • Your brand is your bridge.

    Nonprofits often fear looking “too polished.” But if people don’t know who you are, they can’t care about your mission. I help organizations articulate a bold, credible, emotionally resonant identity… one that earns trust, reflects your values, and gets remembered.

  • Great campaigns are proactive.

    Too many campaigns are built reactively. My approach starts with the end in mind to ensure every story, message, and visual aligns with the objective. I bring full-spectrum strategic insight to craft campaigns that deliver meaningful results and inspire lasting engagement.

  • Comms and Dev are one team.

    Fundraising and communications aren’t meant to be separate. They’re two arms of the same mission. I help bridge these functions with integrated strategies that generate both visibility and value, building sustainable growth and stronger supporter pipelines.

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Ready to partner?

Let’s talk. I’d love to learn more about your goals and explore how I can support your team.