1. Review this past year’s results so far
Before setting new fundraising goals, take time to look back at this year’s data. Your best insights for next year are already hiding in what you’ve done so far.
Start with the basics:
- How did your campaigns perform overall?
- What was your donor retention rate compared to last year? (what percent of donors gave last year and also this year?)
- Did your average gift amount go up, down, or stay the same?
Look for patterns in what worked well and what didn’t. Maybe your spring appeal outperformed your expectations, or perhaps your social media campaigns didn’t engage as much as planned. These clues help you make data-informed decisions instead of starting from scratch.
If you use a tool like Click & Pledge (our newsletter sponsor!), this is where it shines. Their reporting dashboards make it easy to track campaign performance, compare results, and identify what fundraising methods are worth repeating next year.
The key is to pause before planning (I know this is hard, trust me). Reflecting now helps you build a strategy based on results, not guesses, and gives you a head start on a strong 2026.
2. Focus on Gratitude and Engagement (not just dollars)
Before diving into next year’s goals, take time to reconnect with the people and numbers that made this year possible.
Who showed up consistently this year - as donors, yes, but also as volunteers, advocates, and kind friends? Who went above and beyond? A quick thank-you note, a personal email, or a short video message can go a long way toward showing appreciation before the busy giving season. Gratitude is the simplest way to keep your community engaged.
Next, revisit that donor data and figure out who hasn’t engaged recently. Are there supporters who gave once but haven’t returned? This is a great moment to review your segments, re-engage lapsed donors with an invitation to get back involved (in ways other than giving money), and make sure your list is up to date before you start 2026 planning.
The best fundraising strategies start with listening to your donors and your data. When you understand who’s supporting you and why, you’ll build stronger relationships that last well beyond the year-end rush.
3. Reassess your strategy and goals for 2026
Once you’ve reviewed this year’s results and reconnected with your donors, it’s time to look ahead.
Grab your favorite notebook (or spreadsheet 😉) and jot down the big picture:
What are the top 1–3 fundraising priorities for your organization next year? Maybe it’s:
- Improving donor retention by improving your donor stewardship strategy
- Launching a new campaign to test out some new formats and messaging
- Or diversifying revenue streams by reaching out to new audiences
Try not to overcomplicate it as the goal is clarity, not perfection.
Once you’ve named your priorities, reverse-engineer your plan to get there. What will it take? Time, people, or systems to make each goal happen? What challenges or resource gaps need to be addressed first?
This exercise keeps you focused on what matters most and prevents your 2026 strategy from becoming an endless to-do list. Every great fundraising year starts with a thoughtful plan, and you already have everything you need to make it happen.
Try it this week 🚀
Before the year-end rush hits, block off 30 minutes on your calendar to reflect on your fundraising year. Jot down:
- Your top wins
- Biggest lessons learned
- And one area you want to strengthen in 2026.
You don’t need a full plan yet! Just a few notes to guide you as planning season begins. Your future self (and fundraising strategy) will thank you.
Coming soon ✨
The Zero to $100K Toolkit is almost here! It’s my complete system to help you plan and launch a successful fundraising campaign from the ground up. You can click here to be automatically added to the waitlist to get the alert when it goes live.
Try it this week
Nonprofit work can be full of surprises, but a little preparation keeps the monsters at bay.
- Refocus: Talk to one person your nonprofit serves (or hopes to serve) this week and ask what they really need.
- Rethink funding: Review your current fundraising efforts and identify one new method that fits your mission better than chasing grants.
- Recharge: Block one hour this week for rest or reflection — no email, no meetings, just space to breathe.
Small steps like these can help your mission feel a little less spooky and a lot more sustainable.
Hit Reply. What’s one thing you’re hoping to do differently in your fundraising next year? Maybe it’s trying a new campaign style, improving donor retention, or setting clearer goals. Share what’s on your mind so I can cheer you on as you plan for 2026!
