Mid-Year Review Time: How To Get Your Fundraising Plan Back On Track

Created By: Brandon Emerson
July 12, 2023

Fundraising plans are roadmaps. They help guide you through the fundraising journey and provide a framework through which to make progress on your goals and activities. However, as with any journey, sometimes things don’t go according to plan, and that can leave you feeling overwhelmed and unsure of how to get back on track.

If you’re worried that you’re falling behind on your fundraising plan, there are several steps you can take to course-correct and re-focus your efforts for better results. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get back on track with your fundraising goals:

1. Analyze your current progress.

Before you can figure out why you’re falling behind on your fundraising plan, you need to understand where you currently stand. Analyze your fundraising metrics and revenue streams and compare them against your projections. This analysis will help you identify which areas of your plan need the most attention and what changes you can make to improve your results. For example, if you are ahead with individual giving, but lagging on corporate partnerships, shift your priorities accordingly to dedicate time where it is most needed.

2. Review your fundraising strategy.

Review your fundraising strategy to ensure it is still relevant and effective. Consider recent changes in the market (the regional bank crisis, inflation, etc.), donor behavior, technology, or the competitive landscape since developing the plan. Do the assumptions and decisions you made then remain true, or has new information changed the outlook?

If you find that your strategy is outdated, consider developing or revising your plan with the new information and insights you’ve gained. And be ready and open to adjusting again down the line.

3. Re-prioritize your activities based on analysis and strategy review.

Once you’ve identified your areas of strength and weakness, focus on the activities that generate the most donations or have the highest response rates. Re-allocate resources to those activities and consider scaling them. Double down on what is most effective and shed activities that are not productive uses of time. Sometimes abandoning a part of your strategy is the right decision if you can optimize another.

4. Monitor progress.

Monitor your progress and metrics and make changes as needed. If you haven’t yet, create a dashboard. This will help you adapt quickly to any changes and make data-driven decisions for optimal results. Regularly assessing the big picture and identifying trends, levels of engagement, and return on investment can also highlight the effectiveness of different efforts of your fundraising plan and guide future steps.

By following these steps, you can assess your current fundraising plan and make the necessary course corrections to get back on track. Regularly reviewing your progress to date can provide a solid starting point for making strategic adjustments to improve your fundraising results. These changes and adjustments will ultimately bring more clarity to and improve the effectiveness of your fundraising efforts.

Orr Group conducts data-driven evaluations to design development roadmaps that are plotted on your values, culture, organizational assets, and potential for growth. Learn how we can partner with your nonprofit to create a clear, comprehensive, and actionable plan.

Brandon Emerson is a Director and Co-Head of Strategy at Orr Group. With over 5 years of experience, Brandon collaborates with clients to build actionable strategies that optimize fundraising and organizational function.