Why We Chose Kajabi to Run Our Fundraiser Platform (And Why I’d Choose It Again)

When we first started building our portrait-based fundraising platform, we weren’t looking for a “course platform.”

We were looking for infrastructure.

We needed something that could:

• Power nonprofit websites

• Host campaign landing pages

• Automate donor follow-up

• Manage applications and intake forms

• Run email marketing

• Track affiliates

• Scale across multiple organizations

We didn’t need more tools.

We needed fewer moving parts.

After testing multiple setups,  including WordPress with plugins,  we ultimately chose Kajabi.

And years later, I would choose it again.

The Business Problem We Were Solving

Our fundraising model required more than a standard nonprofit website.

We needed:

• Individual campaign pages for multiple organizations

• Automated email follow-ups for donors and applicants

• Digital product delivery (guides, downloads, onboarding)

• Application funnels

• Event pages

• Affiliate tracking for partner photographers

• A backend system our internal team could manage without a developer

Most nonprofit websites are built like brochures.

We needed a fundraising engine.

Why WordPress + Plugins Wasn’t Scalable

Like many nonprofits and founders, we initially explored WordPress.

On paper, it seems flexible and affordable.

But here’s what that stack actually required:

• Hosting provider

• Premium theme

• Donation plugin

• Email marketing platform

• Landing page builder

• Automation tool

• Security plugin

• Ongoing maintenance

• Occasional developer help

Individually, none of those tools are expensive.

Together, they become:

• Operationally complex

• Hard to troubleshoot

• Dependent on updates and compatibility

• Vulnerable to breakage

When you are running active fundraising campaigns, you cannot afford tech uncertainty.

We needed reliability.

How Kajabi Handles What We Needed

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Here’s how Kajabi replaced our fragmented system.

1. Websites

Kajabi allows us to:

• Build full nonprofit websites

• Create unlimited campaign landing pages

• Host application portals

• Design donation-focused pages

• Update content without a developer

Instead of managing separate hosting and page builders, everything lives inside one dashboard.

For fundraising organizations, this means:

Faster campaign launches.
Less technical friction.
No plugin conflicts.

2. Email Marketing

Email is the backbone of nonprofit fundraising.

Kajabi includes:

• Broadcast emails

• Automated sequences

• Tag-based segmentation

• Behavior-triggered workflows

We can:

• Automatically follow up with applicants

• Send donor nurture sequences

• Segment by campaign

• Trigger event reminders

Without connecting a separate email provider.

3. Offers & Digital Products

Many nonprofits now offer:

• Event tickets

• Digital guides

• Membership access

• Volunteer onboarding materials

Kajabi allows us to package:

• Applications

• Resources

• Training materials

• Digital downloads

Inside structured “Offers.”

This is critical when scaling across multiple campaigns.

4. Automations

This is where Kajabi becomes a fundraising growth tool, not just a website builder.

We use automations to:

• Send confirmation emails instantly

• Tag donors by behavior

• Trigger follow-up sequences

• Move applicants through approval workflows

Automation reduces administrative burden — which most nonprofits desperately need.

5. Affiliate Tracking

Because our model includes partner photographers and organizational collaborations, affiliate tracking was non-negotiable.

Kajabi includes built-in affiliate tracking that allows us to:

• Generate unique tracking links

• Monitor referral revenue

• Track performance

• Issue payouts efficiently

Without additional software.

What Kajabi Replaces

For us, Kajabi replaced:

• Website hosting

• WordPress

• Landing page builder

• Email marketing software

• Funnel builder

• Affiliate tracking software

• Membership platform

• Course hosting

Instead of managing 6–8 separate subscriptions, we manage one ecosystem.

Operational clarity is underrated.

Who Kajabi Is For

Kajabi is ideal for:

• Nonprofits running recurring fundraising campaigns

• Scholarship organizations

• Alumni groups

• Event-driven nonprofits

• Founders building digital infrastructure

• Organizations wanting automation

If you are serious about:

• Donor lifecycle strategy

• Campaign funnels

• Email segmentation

• Scaling impact

Kajabi provides the infrastructure.

Who Kajabi Is NOT For

Kajabi may not be the best fit if:

• You only need a simple 3-page brochure website

• You will never use email marketing

• You don’t run campaigns or events

• You prefer stitching together multiple tools

For small informational sites with no automation needs, lighter platforms may suffice.

Why I’d Choose Kajabi Again

At scale, simplicity wins.

The true cost of software isn’t the subscription.

It’s:

• Time lost troubleshooting

• Campaign delays

• Developer dependency

• Tool overlap

• Missed automation opportunities

Kajabi gave us:

• Centralized control

• Campaign flexibility

• Automation power

• Clean team workflows

• Predictable reliability

And when you're running live fundraising campaigns, reliability matters more than aesthetics.

Final Thoughts: Platform vs Infrastructure

Most nonprofits choose a website builder based on:

Price.
Familiarity.
Board recommendation.

But the better question is:

What system supports your fundraising growth for the next 3–5 years?

For us, Kajabi became infrastructure.

And infrastructure scales.

If You're Exploring Kajabi

If you're considering Kajabi for your nonprofit or fundraising platform, you can explore it here:

👉 Start a Kajabi trial here:
https://app.kajabi.com/r/3rJXonjj/t/6hxatxpi

If you're specifically building a nonprofit website and want a structure designed for fundraising (not coaching), you can also explore our nonprofit Kajabi template here:

👉 https://www.vacanva.com/offers/QfaagW5x/checkout