10 New Year’s Resolutions for Fundraisers

As we embark on a new year I wish you all much joy and success in your fundraising efforts!  Here are 10 resolutions I’m committing to – and I hope you might as well.

1. I will say thank you more than I say please.

2. I will focus my time where it counts most – on building relationships with donors, corporate partners and board members.

3. I will always remember that my job is to help donors fund the changes they want to see made in the world. 

4. I will understand the cost per donor and long-term donor value for each of my fundraising channels. And the way I allocate my budget will reflect that.

5. I will find unique and sincere ways to let our donors know they’re important. Regularly.

6. I will invest more time in major gifts and planned giving.

7. I will make sure my organization has a best practice website, designed to give donors the information they need in order to wisely invest in our cause.

8. I will find ways to invest in my staff so we can retain our best people.

9. I will remember that social and mobile media are tools I can use to enhance relationships. They aren’t a goal unto themselves.

10.  I will commit to test at least one new strategy, fundraising channel, technique or audience in the coming year. Maybe even two.  Or three!

What resolutions would you add?

5 Comments

  1. Denise Sonnenberg

    Number 7 rings a bell, since the important issue there is giving donors the information they need to find the best way for them to give.

  2. Mimi Ward

    I agree and applaud each one, thank you!

  3. Susan Fitzgerald Reichert

    One of my resolutions is to inform the board in various ways

    1. admin

      Susan, I think that’s really smart. So often we get frustrated that our boards don’t carry more of the fundraising load or do certain things we wish they would. But when I’ve interviewed board members, one of the top frustrations they have is feeling that they are out of the loop and/or don’t know what is expected/needed of them. Best of luck to you!

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