New Retires Earn Extra by Creating Marketing Strategies for Nonprofits

1. When My Friend Carol Called Me Crying Over Her Checking Account  

I still remember the phone call. It was a Tuesday morning, the kind where you’re just settling in with coffee. Feeling semi-productive, when your phone buzzes and chaos follows.

“ShariLyn,” Carol sniffled, “I just checked my balance. I swear my checking account’s on a diet.”

Now, Carol is the kind of woman who can turn anything into a spreadsheet. But retirement had knocked the sass right out of her. She’d pictured sunsets and sangria, not coupons and canned soup.

She retired last year, full of hope, “I’m finally going to rest,” she said. Instead, the bills didn’t get the memo. Her Social Security check was about as exciting as watching paint dry. And her pension? Let’s just say it looked healthier before inflation started lifting weights.

So there she was: tired of worrying, short on time, allergic to anything with a login screen. And downright furious that after forty-plus years of work. She was back to doing math on napkins to make ends meet.

And don’t even get her started on the “make money online” stuff. She’d already been burned twice. Once by a course that promised she’d “get rich on autopilot.” Spoiler: the only thing on autopilot was her credit card payment. And once by an app that swore she’d earn by “sharing links.” After six weeks, she had earned a whole $3.17. Enough to treat herself to a stale muffin.

That morning, she was done. “I’m too old for this digital nonsense,” she said. “I just wish I could make a little extra without needing a tech degree.”

Then, fate stepped in, or maybe Facebook’s algorithm finally got one right.

Her local animal rescue posted that they needed help writing updates for their page. Carol, a lifelong animal lover. Jumped in because she couldn’t stand to see their “adopt-me” posts. With sad, blurry photos and captions that sounded like tax forms.

She rewrote one, added a cute story about the dog’s personality, and boom! Three adoptions in one week. The shelter director called her their “marketing angel.”

And just like that, Carol’s wheels started turning.

“What if,” she said, “I could do this for more nonprofits. Maybe earn a little something too?”

She didn’t know it yet, but that tiny spark would turn into a brand-new income stream. One that didn’t require tech wizardry, just heart and a keyboard.

2. How Helping a Nonprofit Turned Into Income (Without Selling Her Soul to Tech)     

So here’s where things get interesting.

A week after Carol’s viral “adopt me” dog post, the animal shelter director called again. This time with a favor. “Could you help us write a little something for our food drive?”

Carol hesitated. She didn’t exactly consider herself a “marketing person.” In fact, her idea of marketing. Was hanging a garage sale sign that said, “Come take my junk.”

But she agreed. She wrote a short post about how $20 could feed a dog for a week. She told a little story about Daisy, a senior pup who’d been adopted thanks to the rescue.

The next morning? Donations had tripled.

Carol was stunned. She called me yelling, “Shari, people actually read it! They cared! They donated!”

And here’s where her first spark of income started. Not from begging or spamming or dancing on TikTok (Lord, no). But from connection and storytelling.

A local pet food company saw the shelter’s post and reached out. They had an affiliate program that donated a percentage of each sale to the shelter. The director asked Carol if she’d manage it. Basically posting the link in their stories, newsletters, and thank-you emails.

Carol agreed, thinking she was just doing them a favor. But the company insisted she earn a small affiliate commission too. “For managing the campaign.”

First week? $72.

She texted me: “Girl, I just made more money online than in my entire Etsy candle phase.”

Here’s the magic part: Carol did all this without fancy tech or software. She wrote heartfelt posts, shared them on Facebook, and used free templates from Canva. Her first one looked a little like a ransom note, but progress is progress.

She learned how to schedule posts using Facebook’s free planner. She thought she’d cracked NASA’s mainframe.

She wasn’t “doing marketing,” she was telling stories that made people feel something.

That’s what nonprofits are starving for. Heart, consistency, someone who actually understands how to talk to people like people.

And that’s when Carol realized she could do this again. For the animal shelter, the food bank, the community garden. Maybe even a veterans’ group.

She didn’t just find a side hustle.
She found her purpose, one that paid in both dollars and warm fuzzies

3. The Big Aha Moment: Nonprofits Need Marketing More Than Ever     

A few weeks into helping that animal rescue. Carol had her “sit-up-in-bed-at-3-a.m.” realization.

She wasn’t just posting cute dog stories. She was solving a massive problem nonprofits face every single day. Nobody knows what they’re doing, because nobody’s out there telling people.

Think about it. Nonprofits are full of kind, passionate folks. They can save kittens, feed families, and organize community miracles. But ask them to run a Facebook campaign or write an email newsletter? You’ll see sheer panic in their eyes.

Carol saw it firsthand when the shelter director said. “We were about to stop posting because it takes too long, and no one ever sees it anyway.”

That’s when she realized:
Nonprofits don’t need tech wizards.
They need storytellers.
They need people who care.

And who fits that bill better than retirees?

We’ve spent decades building relationships. running households, keeping businesses alive, juggling chaos. And somehow doing it without Google telling us how. Retirees know people, and marketing at its core, is simply people connecting with people.

Carol’s posts worked because they sounded human. No buzzwords, no jargon, just honesty and heart.

And in today’s world of flashy ads and fake influencers, authenticity shines like a diamond.

Now, here’s the kicker. Most nonprofits can’t afford professional marketing help. They’re barely scraping by to keep programs running. That’s where retirees can step in, offering genuine value, a personal touch. Maybe earning some well-deserved extra cash while doing it.

Carol didn’t start with money in mind. She started with meaning. But the moment she realized she could earn while doing something that mattered. Everything changed.

No more scammy “make money online” schemes.
No more confusing dashboards that look like airplane cockpits.
No more feeling like she’s behind the times.

Just simple, purposeful work. Using words, photos, and heart.

And let’s be honest. You don’t need to be a tech genius for that. You just need to show up, tell the story, and hit “post.”

As Carol said to me one morning, sipping coffee and grinning ear to ear,
“I used to think I was too old for this internet stuff. Now I realize I’ve got something all these twenty-somethings don’t. Life experience and empathy.”

Amen to that.

4. How Carol Built Her Simple System for Marketing Nonprofits (No Fancy Tech Required)   

Once Carol realized she could earn a little extra while helping good causes. She decided to turn her happy accident into a system she could repeat. Minus the tech migraines.

Now, don’t picture some giant marketing dashboard. Graphs and data that looks like it was coded by NASA interns. Carol’s “system” fit on a sticky note.

She called it her “Do Good & Get Paid Plan.” Here’s exactly how she built it (and how you can too):

Step 1: Pick a Cause You Care About

Start with something that lights you up. When you care about the mission, your motivation stays high. Even when tech hiccups happen or posts get crickets for engagement.

• Love animals? Partner with shelters or rescues.
• Passionate about kids? Look for after-school or literacy programs.
• Big on food or community gardens? They’re always short on hands and marketers.

Why it matters: When you care, your words sound real. And that authenticity is what gets results (and donations).

Step 2: Reach Out & Offer Help

Carol started small. She literally walked into the shelter and said, “Need help with your Facebook page?”
And guess what? They said, “YES!” before she even sat down.

You don’t need to sound professional or pitch-perfect. Just offer to:

• Write posts or short updates.
• Help them respond to messages.
• Share their stories online.

Pro tip: Nonprofits are desperate for consistency. If you can post two or three times a week, you’re already a hero.

Step 3: Start Simple — Facebook & Email

No TikTok, no YouTube channels, no “viral dance challenges.” Just the basics:

• Write one or two heartfelt Facebook posts per week.
• Collect email addresses at events or through the website.
• Send short updates or “thank you” messages.

Why this works. Facebook is where their supporters already are. And email still gets the best results for donations.

Step 4: Add Affiliate Income Gently

This is where the fun (and the cash) come in. Some brands will donate a percentage of sales made through special links. And they’ll pay you a small affiliate commission for managing the campaign.

Carol found:

• Pet food companies donating per sale.
• Local print shops offering discounts and referral bonuses.
• Eco-friendly brands supporting animal causes.

How it works. You promote products tied to the nonprofit’s mission, everyone wins. The donor feels good, the nonprofit earns money. And you get paid for being the matchmaker.

Step 5: Automate Lightly (So You Can Still Enjoy Retirement)

Carol uses a few free or low-cost tools to save time:

• Meta Business Suite. Schedules Facebook posts so she can batch a week’s work in one afternoon.
• Canva. Makes easy, good-looking graphics (once she stopped using neon fonts).
• MailerLite. Sends simple emails and tracks clicks.

Tip: Stick to one new tool at a time. You’re not building a spaceship. You’re sharing stories that matter.

Before long, Carol’s system was running smoother than her morning coffee routine. She wasn’t glued to her laptop, she worked a few hours a week. Then spent the rest of her time walking dogs, gardening. Laughing that she’d finally “cracked the code” without touching a single webinar funnel.

5. What Carol Learned (And How You Can Copy Her Success) 

By the time Carol had her little system running smoothly. She’d gone from teary phone calls about bills. To laughing while checking her PayPal balance. And the best part? She wasn’t working herself to death, she was doing something she genuinely enjoyed.

She told me one day, “You know what, Shari? I thought I was too old for this online business stuff. Turns out, I just needed to stop trying to be an influencer and start being myself.”

And that’s when I knew she’d cracked the real secret. Marketing that comes from the heart always wins.

Here’s what Carol learned along the way. And how you can copy her success without losing your sanity (or your savings)

Lesson 1: Passion Pays Off

When you pick a cause you believe in, your energy shows up in everything you write. People can feel it, and that emotional pull is what gets results.
Example: Carol’s posts about the rescue animals were so heartfelt. People didn’t just donate; they adopted. Passion makes people act.

Lesson 2: Keep It Simple

You don’t need a full-blown website, sales funnel. Or a 12-step marketing plan that makes your brain ache.
Do this instead:

• Start with one platform (like Facebook).
• Post consistently, even if it’s just twice a week.
• Measure what works (likes, shares, donations), and repeat it.
  Why: Consistency beats complexity every single time.

Lesson 3: Focus on Relationships

Marketing isn’t about selling, it’s about connecting.
Carol started replying to comments, thanking donors, and posting photos of volunteers. Suddenly, the nonprofit had fans, not just followers.
Tip: Treat people online like they’re standing in front of you. Be friendly, curious, and grateful.

Lesson 4: Learn as You Earn

Carol didn’t spend months studying before starting. She just started, and learned along the way.
She’d watch one 10-minute YouTube tutorial while sipping coffee, try the trick, and move on.
Reality check: You’ll never feel 100% ready. But the moment you start, you’ll gain the confidence you’ve been waiting for.

Lesson 5: Celebrate Every Win

When Carol got her first affiliate check. She took a selfie with her dog and captioned it, “Mama made mailbox money!”
Why it matters: Celebrating small wins keeps you motivated. It reminds you that this is supposed to be fun, not stressful.

Now, Carol’s not chasing “six-figure guru dreams.” She’s building steady, meaningful income, one post at a time. And feeling useful, creative, and alive again.

Because the real win? She turned retirement from a financial worry into a purpose-filled encore. 

6. How Much Can You Actually Make Doing This? 

Let’s be real. When Carol first started helping nonprofits, she wasn’t thinking about money. She just wanted to feel useful and stop stressing over her shrinking savings account. But once those affiliate links started clicking and donations rolled in. She realized this little “good deed hobby” had real earning power.

Her first month? A modest $72. Not earth-shattering. But enough to make her strut into the grocery store feeling like Jeff Bezos. By month three. After helping two more small nonprofits (a local food bank and a veterans’ support group). She was averaging $500 to $700 a month. That was with just a few hours of work each week.

During holiday campaigns, when donations and online shopping spike. She’d sometimes hit over $1,000. And get this, she did it all from her cozy kitchen table. In Yoga pants, with a dog snoring beside her.

Now, before your skeptical eyebrow raises too high, let’s keep this honest. Carol’s not getting rich. She’s not out here buying yachts or jet-setting to Bora Bora. But she is covering her utilities, enjoying the occasional dinner out. And padding her retirement cushion, all while doing work that fills her heart.

And that’s the beauty of it. You’re not chasing the next “get-rich-quick” fantasy. You’re building what I call a “feel-good income.”

Here’s what that means:

• Flexible Hours: You decide when to work. Morning person? Knock out posts before lunch. Night owl? Schedule things for later while Netflix hums in the background.
• Meaningful Money: You’re not promoting random products, you’re helping causes that matter. Every dollar earned feels like a high-five from the universe.
• Scalable Opportunity: Start small with one nonprofit. Then add more as you get comfortable. Carol grew from one group to three. Each one adding another few hundred a month.

And the ripple effect? Nonprofits thrive because of your efforts. Communities benefit. You feel good. The world gets better.

So yes, you can absolutely earn real, respectable, sanity-saving retirement money. By creating marketing strategies for nonprofits.

You’re not too old. You’re not too late. You’re right on time.

As Carol likes to say, “Turns out, purpose pays. And it spends just as good as a paycheck.”

7. Action Steps for Readers: Start Your Feel-Good Income Plan 

By now, you’re probably thinking, “Okay, Shari, Carol sounds fabulous. But how do I actually start?”
Grab your coffee (or your favorite glass of “it’s-five-o’clock-somewhere”). Because here’s the step-by-step plan. It’ll take you from curious retiree, to confident cause-marketing hero.

Action Step 1: Make a List of 3 Causes You Care About

Start with your heart. What makes you tear up, smile, or rant at the TV?

• Animals?
• Veterans?
• Food insecurity?
  Write down three that truly matter to you. Passion is your fuel. When you care. Your posts glow with authenticity. Instead of sounding like a robot with a megaphone.

Action Step 2: Offer Simple Help

You don’t need a résumé or a business card. Just a friendly message or phone call.
Say something like, “Hey, I love what your group’s doing. Need a hand posting updates or sharing stories online?”
Most nonprofits will practically hug you through the screen. They’re stretched thin and thrilled to have real help.

Start with:

• One Facebook post a week.
• A quick “thank-you” note to donors.
• A photo or story that spotlights a volunteer or success.

Keep it simple and human. You’ll stand out precisely because you’re not trying to sound corporate.

Action Step 3: Use Free Tools That Save Time

You don’t need to buy software that costs more than your car insurance.
Try these:

• Meta Business Suite – Schedule Facebook posts ahead of time.
• Canva – Make cute graphics (no design degree required).
• MailerLite – Send email updates or newsletters with click-and-drop ease.

Pick one tool at a time; master it, then move on.

Action Step 4: Learn Affiliate Basics (Without the Overwhelm)

Join free networks like ShareASale, Impact, or Awin.
Search for programs that:

• Support charitable or eco-friendly products.
• Offer “donation per sale” partnerships.

Once approved, you’ll get a unique link. Share it in posts or emails. Each click that leads to a purchase sends money to the nonprofit and a small commission to you.

Action Step 5: Set a Mini Income Goal

Start tiny, maybe $100 a month. That’s a tank of gas or a week of groceries.
When you hit it, celebrate (yes, cake counts). Then aim for $300, then $500.
Small wins snowball faster than you think. Before long you’ll be doing good. Earning steady cash without even realizing it.

You don’t need tech wizardry. You just need purpose, persistence, and a pinch of curiosity.

As Carol likes to say, “The secret isn’t working harder. It’s caring louder.”                                                                                                                                                             

8. Retirement Isn’t the End – It’s Your Encore 

When Carol looked back at that first shaky Facebook post she made for her local food bank. She laughed so hard she nearly spilled her tea. The font was crooked, the image was blurry, and she spelled “volunteer” wrong. But here’s the thing, it worked. People shared it, donations came in. Suddenly Carol was known as the gal who made miracles happen online.

She didn’t have to become some 30-year-old social media guru with ring lights and filters. She didn’t have to buy fancy courses. Or spend 10 hours a day glued to a laptop. She just had to care, and take one brave step at a time.

That’s the magic of what you’re about to do.

You’re not “too late to the game.” You’re perfectly seasoned for it. Decades of people skills, patience, humor, and heart. That’s gold most marketers would sell their ring light for.

You’ve lived, loved, lost, and learned. That makes you relatable. You don’t need slick ads or viral dances. You need real stories. The kind that make people stop scrolling because they see themselves in your words.

And the best part? You get to turn that authenticity into income.

Let’s be honest. Retirement isn’t exactly the cash party we were promised. Between rising prices, fixed incomes. And the occasional “oops, my roof leaked again” surprise. A few hundred bucks a month can make a world of difference.

But this time, you’re not gambling your savings on shady “get rich quick” nonsense.
You’re earning through connection, compassion, and a little online consistency.

When Carol’s nonprofit hit its donation goal last December, she cried happy tears. Not just because of the lives changed. But because she realized she had created her own second act. A life that made her proud, gave her purpose, and padded her wallet. All while she worked in her slippers with her dog snoring at her feet.

So, my dear reader, this is your sign.

Start small. Learn as you go. Let your stories, your humor, and your heart lead the way.

Your encore isn’t about fading quietly into the background. It’s about stepping onto a brand-new stage, microphone in hand, saying:

“I’m not done yet, I’m just getting started.”