My #1 Strategy for Staying Focused on End-of-Year Fundraising
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Hey Reader, As the year comes to a close, there’s one thing I make sure to do to stay laser-focused on our fundraising goals. With so many other tasks and distractions, it’s easy to lose sight of what’s most important - raising money to support your work. But during end-of-year fundraising, saying NO to anything that doesn’t directly contribute to that goal is key. Here’s how I keep myself on track: I create a simple, focused list of all the people who need to give by the end of the year, or all the ways we’re bringing in money. I organize this list into an Excel sheet with the following columns:
This spreadsheet becomes my go-to tool. It’s the first thing I look at when I start my day, and the last thing I check before I wrap up. It ensures that I’m moving forward with every relationship and keeping the focus on bringing in funds. By staying committed to this process, I can block out distractions and make sure that every interaction is purpose-driven and moving us closer to our goal. If you’re a newer organization and don’t have a history of past giving to pull from, create a list of the people or prospects you’re cultivating for an ask this year. Or, look into ways to grow your lists through events and campaigns. Check out the templates on the NonProfit Life Shop if you're looking for tools to help you do this today! If you’re feeling overwhelmed by everything that needs to get done before the year ends, give this strategy a try. It might be just what you need to stay focused and maximize your end-of-year fundraising. Want to talk about what’s working for you? Hit reply and let’s chat! Cheers, Certified Fund Raising Expert (CFRE)
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