In Part 1, developing a diverse funding plan was introduced as the key to non-profit fundraising success. Once funding sources have been identified and financial goals are in place, a non-profit organization is ready to take the next step: creating a funding strategy.
Developing the funding strategy is based on answering the question, "How will we raise money from this funding source?" The strategies that emerge from creatively responding to this question embody the core of your strategy per source. Ultimately, the combination of these strategies creates the entirety of your plan.
The next step is tactical execution. The measurable and time sensitive tactics to fulfill your strategy are actionable tasks that outlines who in your organization will handle certain tasks by a specific deadline. Remember that a strategy is only as good as the tactics and its execution; most of the time a plan fails due to lack of execution.
The only remaining step is to measure the results. I believe in "measuring what matters" since the only way your organization will know whether to continue executing a tactic is to measure the results. With the results reported, you can now dial in that part of your strategy until it delivers the desired goal.
In summary, the core elements of a successful non-profit fundraising plan are:
- Establish the financial goal to fully fund your work.
- Determine the funding sources and amounts per source to accomplish this goal.
- Develop your strategies per funding source to raise that amount.
- Identify the tactics for each strategy.
- Assign the tasks and their deadlines.
- Execute with excellence.
- Measure your results; measure what matters.
- Adjust accordingly.
- Repeat.
- Celebrate.
Your organization’s plan doesn’t have to be elaborate; however, it should provide the direction you need now to move toward your goal of being fully funded. This may involve developing a year-end funding plan or preparing for next year. For your organization to experience non-profit fundraising success, the most important thing is to get started.
Gregg Pawlowski's passion as a nonprofit fundraising consultant, coach, trainer and speaker is to equip nonprofit leaders to fully fund their mission. Having served all types and sizes of nonprofit organizations across the country, he's helped raise millions of dollars by increasing their fundraising capacity. His personal and creative approach in developing fundraising strategies for nonprofit organizations and the practical "how-to" application of best practices will benefit any nonprofit organization looking to increase funding.
For a Complimentary Fundraising Consultation to assist your non-profit organization in raising funds faster and more effectively, visit http://www.breakthrufundraising.com/free-coaching-session.html.
