As the year comes to a close, schools, institutions, and organizations everywhere are looking back at how they did this year and are ahead to how they can improve next year. There are many things that go into effective fundraising, but one of the most important elements is having a good fundraising strategy and plan. At Effective Fundraising Solutions, we have many programs to help schools and organizations like yours bring in the funds they need to operate. But you still need a plan to make the most of those fundraising opportunities.
Here are some tips to help you make an effective fundraising plan for the upcoming year.
Look back at last year.
The first thing to do is look at how your fundraisers did throughout the year that is about to end. What were your fundraising goals for the year? Did you meet or exceed them, or did you fall short? No matter how well you did, there is always room for improvement. Look at the events that were particularly successful and those that didn’t do as well as you hoped. What made them succeed or fail? Was it the date? The activity? Ask your staff about their experience with each event, and ask the attendees as well if you can. That will give you a good idea of which fundraisers you should do again next year and which you should replace with a new event.
Consider your resources.
Fundraising is all about making the most of your resources. Those include staff, technology, and budget. What kind of expertise do the members of your staff have that they could use to assist with your fundraising? In most fundraising situations, the staff is largely volunteer. One of the best things about having a group of volunteers is their diverse skills and life experiences. Get to know your staff and find out what knowledge or expertise they can bring to the table.
Technology is always changing, and it can be hard to keep up. However, there are more tools available than ever before and many of them are free to use. Take a look at the technology you are using now. There may be an alternative that is easier to use and will cost you less. When it comes to your fundraising budget, every little bit helps.
