All nonprofits need to have a plan for their fundraising efforts. Without a plan, it's easy to get off track and not achieve your desired results. However, creating a fundraising plan can seem daunting, especially if you've never done it before. In this blog post, we'll outline the steps you need to take to create a comprehensive fundraising plan for your nonprofit.
Tip: Check out our free online course Creating a Fundraising Plan on NonprofitReady.org.
1. Define your goals
What do you hope to achieve with your fundraising efforts? Be specific and realistic in your planning so that you can set attainable goals. Once you have defined your goals, you can move on to developing strategies to achieve them.
2. Research your donor base
Who are the individuals and organizations who are most likely to support your nonprofit? Make sure to segment your donor base so that you can tailor your appeals accordingly. You may also want to consider prospecting for new donors who may be interested in what you do.
3. Develop a strategy for each giving program area
Now that you know who your donors are and what you hope to achieve, it's time to start thinking about how you're going to raise the money. For each giving program area (annual giving, major gifts, special events, etc.), develop strategies that will work best for your donor base and align with your organizational goals.
4. Set a budget and track expenses
Just like with any other business venture, it's important to set a budget for your fundraising activities and track expenses so that you can stay on track. Make sure to account for both direct and indirect costs when creating your budget so that there are no surprises down the road.
5. Create timelines and milestones
"Rome wasn't built in a day," as they say! The same is true of successful fundraising plans—they take time, effort, and dedication to execute properly. To make sure everything stays on track, create timelines and milestones for each area of your plan so that you can measure progress along the way. This will also help hold everyone accountable and ensure that tasks are completed in a timely manner.
Tip: Want more fundraising best practices and add a certificate to your resume? Check out the free Fundraising Essentials Certificate Program on NonprofitReady.
Creating a comprehensive fundraising plan may seem daunting at first, but following these simple steps will help ensure your success! By taking the time to define your goals, research your donor base, develop strategies tailored specifically for each giving program area, set a budget, and create timelines and milestones, you'll be well on your way to meeting (and exceeding!) all of your fundraising goals!