Q1: checklist for raising $$$
Whether you work in a nonprofit or a congregation, starting the year successfully doesn’t always require an overhaul; it can be kickstarted with a few solid steps. How you start can help you yield positive results for all your resolutions. We hope that this checklist can generate ideas and celebrations for you as you go for the small and big wins in the new year.
❑ Reflect with gratitude
This is the time to look back on your donors from last year — has everyone been acknowledged and have thank you tax letters gone out? As you send them, consider enrolling a team to hand write notes to accompany them.
Now is a great time to have 1:1 meetings with donors to think together about your dreams. Don’t ask for money, just for advice!
From handwritten thank you notes to calls to 1:1 meetings — give thanks for all who have fueled your mission in a diversity of ways.
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Call your board chair or development committee liaison, or even just a trusted companion in the struggle to write personalized thank you cards and set up 1:1 meetings.
❑ Make a date with a thought partner
Think of this as feeding two birds with one seed: an accountability partner meets brainstorm session. Set aside 45 minutes to an hour a week for a month or two to wonder aloud about new & creative strategies, ideas for newsletters, marketing plans… they won’t get done at once nor should they, but this is where you plant ideas.
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Who’s your thought partner? Text them right now to find out when they can meet this week. Don’t forget, you can do it over video call too!
❑ Create your road map
Take some time to calendar your year: what do you want to happen and when? Use colored pens and paper that feel good in your hands and put it all up on a white board!
Having a comprehensive list of dates to prepare for cultivation events, campaigns, newsletters, or whatever or however you best thank and communicate with your base will allow for your team to see the big picture and delegate roles and responsibilities.
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What are the small and big wins you’re looking to accomplish this year? Write them out!
❑ Work behind the scenes
Goals don’t get met on their own so make time for the behind the scenes work.
Carving out quiet time, whether it’s daily or weekly, is a must to focus on the business of things. Depending on your fundraising style, this might be a bit of a struggle for dolphins or lions. Do whatever it is you need in this quiet time: pick up the phone, return that email, read the saved articles, make your wish list of services offered, relationships gained, and programs created and do it with minimal distractions including making use of the do not disturb feature on your devices.
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What day this week will you block out for yourself? How about next week? Go ahead, block it out — we’ll wait.
Need Help?
Feeling a little stuck or needing a second-set of eyes, hands or ears?
We come with three decades of fundraising experience and four decades of strategic planning. Get in contact with us to help, put us to work for you!
