How to Write and Implement a Successful
Fundraising Plan
Dan Kimball
Product Specialist at Aplos Software
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	
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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.
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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	
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Purpose of a Fundraising Plan
A Road Map for Success
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• 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.	
“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
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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
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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
Decide on your Strategies
• Grants	
• Special	Events	
• Direct	Mail	
• Major	GiOs	
• Monthly	Giving	
• Lapsed	Donors	
• Online	Giving	
• Memberships		
• Corporate	Sponsorships	
• Product	Sales
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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).
Make Sure it Works
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Strategy Goals
Dollars to
Raise
#Of Renewed
Donors
#Of New Donors
Grant Writing
Special Events
Direct Mail
Major Gifts
Online Fundraising
Others?
Totals
Strategy Details
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Strategy Description
Target
Audience
$Goal Cost Who Will Do By When
Grant Writing
Special Events
Direct Mail
Major Gifts
Online Fundraising
Others?
Start Putting It Together
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Fundraising Targets
Fundraising
Strategies
Action Plans
Start Putting It Together
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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
Example
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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
Build A Timeline
Many	organizaGons	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	Gmelines:	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	Gmeline	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.
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Create a Budget for each Strategy
Just	like	a	program	or	organizaConal	budget,	each	strategy	needs	a	budget	and	goal.
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Who is your Team
Decide	and	assign	everyone	who	is	going	to	help	implement.		This	include	board	members,	volunteers,	
program	staff,	community	members,	etc.
Work Your Plan- Action Plan
For	each	strategy	that	you	plan	to	use,	fill	out	a	separate	page	with	the	following	informaGon
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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: _____________________
Work Your Plan
For	each	strategy	that	you	plan	to	use,	fill	out	a	separate	page	with	the	following	informaGon
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Expense Amount/Cost Notes
Staff Time
Consultant/Services
Design
Printing
Postage
Travel/Transportation
Food
Other
Work Your Plan
For	each	strategy	that	you	plan	to	use,	fill	out	a	separate	page	with	the	following	informaGon-		
Staying	on	track	–	steps	to	complete	this	strategy:	
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Deadline Tasks Who’s Responsible
Monitor Your Plan
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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?
Celebrate Your Victories
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Need a Graphic
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.
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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
Conclusion/ Q&A
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About	Aplos
We’re	the	#1	soluGon	in	online	donor	management	
soPware	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
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How to write and implement a successful fundraising plan copy