This document outlines seven ways that planning can boost fundraising results including preparing for the long term, allowing for prospect research, focusing on current supporters, using every contact as an opportunity, making a good first impression, treating everyone as a potential donor, and breaking large goals into smaller, manageable tasks. It provides an example fundraising plan with goals, targeted activities, prospect lists, and activity schedules and calendars to track progress.

1. Development,
with a dose of
reality.

4. I DON’T HAVE TIME TO
PLAN.

5. Focus on what’s
important.

6. Take care of the
details.

7. Track progress
toward your
goal.

8. Seven ways planning
boosts fundraising
results.

9. Prepares you for the long haul.

10. Planning allows
for prospect
research.

11. Individuals as top
priority.

12. Focus on those who already
support you.

13. Use
every
contact

14. Best foot
forward.

15. Everyone is a

17. Determine the funding
need.

18. Break into manageable

19. STOP THE
MADNESS!

22. Telling your story.

23. Who are your
prospects?

26. Use your board.

27. Select effective
activities.

28. STOP THE
MADNESS!

29. Goal
Targeted
activities
Prospect lists
Activity
schedules
Calendar
Progress
reports

30. Goal: $595,000
Major gifts: $300,000
Leadership AG: $120,000
Annual giving: $50,000
Grants: $75,000
Corporate: $50,000

31. Activities
Major gift cultivation & solicitation
Create leadership annual giving
program
Fall, winter, spring direct mail/email
Foundation grant strategies
Corporate partners program

32. Prospects
Major gift
Leadership annual giving
Foundations
Corporations

34. MG appointments
MG proposals
MG $ raised
AG email/mail
sent
AG # gifts
AG $ gifts
AG % renewal
AG % upgrade
AG ROI
Events hard costs
Events staff costs
Events opportunity
costs