Most nonprofit leaders and fundraisers know that you need a fundraising plan, but many people don’t know where to start. While planning and creating a fundraising plan can seem overwhelming, it’s not really a difficult process, yet it makes all the difference in the world in the success you will enjoy raising money for your nonprofit. During this one-hour webinar we will explore some simple and doable steps to an excellent fundraising plan that will take your annual fundraising to new heights. During this webinar we will cover the following objectives: • Simple steps to creating a fundraising plan • Review examples of solid fundraising plans • How to create a realistic plan and how to manage your plan • Developing the right fundraising plan for your nonprofit’s size and budget

1. How to Write and Implement a Successful
Fundraising Plan
Dan Kimball
Product Specialist at Aplos Software

2. Daniel Kimball
Dan Kimball is a seasoned fundraiser with over twenty
years of experience in strategic fund development and
nonprofit management.
He’s currently developing Aplos’ Donor Management
PlaAorm to help nonprofits connect with (and
culCvate!) their donor base.
“Fundraising is a relaConship business.”
TwiJer: @fugaCvedmk
@aplos_soOware
#Aploswebinar

3. About Aplos
We’re the #1 solu8on in online donor management
so;ware for nonprofits.
Fundraising is important, but you probably wish you didn't
have to spend so much of your valuable Cme raising
money. Aplos' all-in-one soluCon helps you raise money,
track giving, and ensure your donors have a posiCve
experience with your organizaCon.
Visit aplos.com for more informaCon.
"Nonprofits all across the country
are praising the soOware's ease of
use, reasonable price, and great
customer service." - NPTechNews
#Aploswebinar

4. Introduction
Many non-profits, parCcularly smaller chariCes and start-ups, operate without a fundraising
plan. When someone has an idea for an event or a campaign, these organizaCons simply put
together a commiJee or volunteer group and go for it. They may send out a leJer here and
there, and do some donor meeCngs, and when the bank account seems to be low, they oOen go
into “panic mode” and race around trying to find cash to keep the doors open.
This is definitely not the best way to run your development program. Even if your non-profit is
flush with cash, running an un-organized and un-planned fundraising operaCon is a recipe for
stress, headaches, and ulCmately… financial ruin.
For many nonprofit organizaCons raising money can be one of the most challenging issues they
face. Finding the donors and the dollars to advance your mission and grow your organizaCon
requires planning and follow-through.
#Aploswebinar

5. Introduction Continued.
A fundraising plan is a road map to help idenCfy your organizaCon’s goals, plans and Cmelines,
and it will help you meet your financial goals.
During this webinar, we will walk you through everything you need to know to develop a strong
and pracCcal fundraising plan for your organizaCon regardless of the size or budget of your
nonprofit.
During this webinar, you will learn:
• Why your organizaCon needs a wriJen fundraising plan, and how your organizaCon can best
use it to achieve your goals
• A simple, step-by-step process for wriCng a successful fundraising plan
• How to plan and asses the best strategies for your nonprofit organizaCon
• Components of a strong fundraising plan
• How to get everyone involved and engaged in your fundraising plan
#Aploswebinar

6. Purpose of a Fundraising Plan
A Road Map for Success
#Aploswebinar
• A solid fundraising plan is like google maps- Ge_ng from point A to B.
• A fundraising plan helps you move from reacCve to proacCve.
• Gets everyone on the same page. Directors, staff, volunteers, board etc.
• Helps with detailed tracking which is useful for evaluaCon and improvements.
• Your fundraising plan protects you from the fundraising “idea of the month”.
• The planning process gives you poliCcal cover to ask hard and uncomfortable quesCons- “why are we
doing it this way”

7. Purpose of a Fundraising Plan
A Road Map for Success
#Aploswebinar
• It will protect you and make your life smoother
• A solid plan will help you raise more money
“A wriJen plan will... give you guidance on strategy and tacCcs when you are in the thick
of events, mailings and calls. In short, your fundraising plan will keep you sane.”
- Joe Garecht, The Fundraising Authority

8. #Aploswebinar
or

9. #Aploswebinar
Review and Evaluate
Before you begin to write a good fundraising plan in is important to review and evaluate what
is working and possible what needs to go.
• How did it go last year?
• What about the previous years?
• What worked well?
• What did not?
Possible Strategies: Grants, Special Events, Direct Mail, Major GiOs, Monthly Giving, Lapsed
Donors, Online Giving, Memberships, Corporate Sponsorships, Product Sales

10. #Aploswebinar
SET A GOAL: The best starCng point for your plan is with the end point in mind: what is your overall
fundraising goal? (Even beJer: what is your overall fundraising goal for this year, and for each of the
next four years?
Set your Goals:
• Number of dollars to raise
• Number of current donors to renew
• Number of new donors to acquire
This number should not be drawn out of thin air. It should be based on the needs of the organizaCon.
How much money will your group need to raise in order to carry out the acCviCes that you want to carry
out?
If the goal answers the quesCon, “How much money do you need?” then the mission answers the
quesCon, “Why do you need it?” What is your organizaCon’s mission? What do you plan to do with the
money you raise? What is your operaCng budget, and why is it the amount it is?
Components of a Fundraising Plan

11. Decide on your Strategies
• Grants
• Special Events
• Direct Mail
• Major GiOs
• Monthly Giving
• Lapsed Donors
• Online Giving
• Memberships
• Corporate Sponsorships
• Product Sales
#Aploswebinar
Figure out a goal for each of the tacCcs that adds up to your total goal. (For example, if you need
to raise $5,000 you may say that you will raise $3,000 through a major donor group and $2,000
through an event).

12. Use Good Software to Track and Report
#Aploswebinar

13. Strategy Details
#Aploswebinar
Strategy Description
Target
Audience
$Goal Cost Who Will Do By When
Grant Writing
Special Events
Direct Mail
Major Gifts
Online Fundraising
Others?

14. Start Putting It Together
#Aploswebinar
Fundraising Targets
Fundraising
Strategies
Action Plans

15. Start Putting It Together
#Aploswebinar
1. Raise $125,000
2. Renew 65% Donors
3. Acquire 200 new Donors
1. Raise $25,000-Grants
2. Raise $50,000-Major Gifts
3. Raise $50,000- Special Events
Action Plans

16. Example
#Aploswebinar
Strategy
(activity)
Goals
Numbers-Dollars-
Percentage
Actual Target Audience Action Steps Who When Cost-Budget
Intimate Dinner
Party
$10,000
12 people
Charge for dinner and
ask for donation/
Pledges to your
nonprofit
3 (couples)
Key Board
Members, 3
donors and 3
prospects
(identified by
staff and board)
Place-
Menu-
Special guests-
video or testimony
Lead Person(s) Date, Time
Location
Cost
Direct Mail
Appeal
Campaign
$8,000
Mail to 2,000 people
Donors who
have given in the
past three years.
Write-develop
message-
Materials needed.
Lead Person(s) Date to mail or
post on
website
Cost
Charity Fun Run $15,000 Friends of
organization and
community at-
large
Plan Details-
Create a planning
sheet for all steps
Lead Person(s) Date
Time
Place
Advertising
Materials
Food
Etc.
Corporate
Donations
Support
$25,000 Local merchants,
banks,
businesses
Create
sponsorship
packets-set up
appointments-list
of target
companies
Lead Person(s)
Committee
Ongoing Materials
Mailings

17. Build A Timeline
Many organiza8ons stumble here – they come up with a solid budget, have a great mission, and
draw up a plan that includes a solid group of fundraising tacCcs, but fail to set Cmelines, and thus
never seem to get things done.
Some development pros like plans that have only basic 8melines: Hold an event in April, send
out a mailing in September, run a board giving campaign in November. I actually prefer far more
detailed Cmelines that list not only big picture goals, but also all of the small goals that go into
making that big goal a reality (a management consultant might call this a “criCcal path.”) For
example, instead of just lisCng that we’re having an event in April, I would also list when decisions
on venue and entertainment need to be made, when sponsors will be solicited, when invitaCons
will go out, etc.
Which ever type of 8meline you include, include one… it will force you to think criCcally through
your fundraising decisions, and provide invaluable guidance on your acCviCes as the year
progresses.
#Aploswebinar

18. Create a Budget for each Strategy
Just like a program or organizaConal budget, each strategy needs a budget and goal.
#Aploswebinar
Who is your Team
Decide and assign everyone who is going to help implement. This include board members, volunteers,
program staff, community members, etc.

19. Work Your Plan- Action Plan
For each strategy that you plan to use, fill out a separate page with the following informa8on
#Aploswebinar
Strategy: ________________________________________________________________
Projected income (gross): ______________ Total cost (use chart below): ______________
Net income after expenses: ______________ Other goals that this strategy will meet (such as donor
appreciation, acquiring new donors, generating publicity, involving board members in fundraising,
etc):
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Number of staff and volunteers needed to carry out this strategy: _____________________

20. Work Your Plan
For each strategy that you plan to use, fill out a separate page with the following informa8on
#Aploswebinar
Expense Amount/Cost Notes
Staff Time
Consultant/Services
Design
Printing
Postage
Travel/Transportation
Food
Other

21. Work Your Plan
For each strategy that you plan to use, fill out a separate page with the following informa8on-
Staying on track – steps to complete this strategy:
#Aploswebinar
Deadline Tasks Who’s Responsible

22. Monitor Your Plan
#Aploswebinar
Need a graphic
Regular Review
Planned vs Actual
Review each strategy and goal
How are we doing versus what we planned?
Where do we need to adjust?

23. Celebrate Your Victories
#Aploswebinar
Need a Graphic

24. Final Thoughts and Resources
As your organizaCon develops, so will your plan and funding strategies. Ensuring buy-in from your board
and staff and keeping your goals achievable will support your fundraising
efforts. CreaCng a plan, following through with it and communicaCng your progress with stakeholders
and donors are the essenCal elements for successful fundraising. And remember:
Your plan is a dynamic document, flexible to new opportuniCes and lessons learned — conCnue to
review and revise it as condiCons necessitate.
#Aploswebinar
Resources;
• The Fundraising Authority- http://www.thefundraisingauthority.com/
• Joan Garry Nonprofit Leadership-
• Gail Perry - www.gailperry.com
• Marc Pittman - www.fundraisingcoach.com
• Amy Einstein - www.tripointfundraising.com

25. Conclusion/Q&A

26. Contact Me
Email
dan.kimball@aplos.com
Twitter:
@fugativedmk
@aplos_software