1. Resolve to Sustain

Odds are 2021 is not going to be the year to increase your annual fundraising revenue dramatically. A great deal is still unknown with the COVID-19 pandemic, the vaccine, the economy, and new leadership at the White House. Due to these external factors, think about simply sustaining your fundraising in 2021. Many donors were very generous to nonprofits as a direct result of the COVID-19 crisis. Their ability to maintain that level remains to be seen, so don’t assume their generosity will continue at their pandemic level. However, you should take this opportunity to steward these donors and provide a compelling case for them to continue their current level of support.

2. Resolve to Eliminate Special Events

The advice we give all of our clients is to limit the number of special events your organization holds, even before the pandemic. These events are usually exhausting for staff and volunteers and do not provide opportunities to bring prospective donors or current donors closer to your organization. 2020 provided an opportunity for organizations to shift to virtual events, which proved to be less impactful for many organizations. 2021 is an opportunity to shift your organization’s thinking to the reality that the best way to raise money is to meet with donors and ask them for support. Special events are rarely as effective as individual donor cultivation.

3. Resolve to Take Care of Yourself

2020 has been, to put it mildly, “a lot”. Between COVID-19, the effects on the economy, the presidential election, and overusing the words ‘Zoom’, ‘pivot’, and ‘new normal,’ this year has been a challenge. Take time for self-care; read more, drink less alcohol, drink more water, exercise twice a week, learn Yoga. Whatever you have to do to be better, do it.

4. Resolve to Learn Something New

One benefit of everything shifting online is that professional development opportunities are plentiful. In previous years, many organizations could not afford the travel costs of staff members attending out-of-town conferences. It appears most of the major conferences will be virtual in 2021. That’s an excellent opportunity for you to learn from the comfort of your home and save on travel expenses. Take a moment to research options and then make a strong case to your organization’s leadership as to the benefits of professional development.

5. Resolve to Have a Social Media Plan

We’ve all been turning to social media to get information and to feel connected to each other during 2020. Many of us are using social media channels to find stories and connect with nonprofits that meet the needs of our community. Nonprofits need to have a documented plan to use these communications channels effectively. Don’t post haphazardly – make sure you’re strategic about your message and develop a schedule to share that message.

6. Resolve to Create or Refresh Your Organization’s Strategic Plan

2020 may have caused you or your organization to take your focus away from your long-term strategic plan. Smart nonprofits have a strategic plan that guides the organization over the next three to five years with measurable, actionable, and time-bound goals. Take this year to re-focus on your current plan or develop a new one. The lessons you and your organization learned during 2020 will be invaluable as your organization moves forward.

About the Author

Michael J. Buckley, CFRE is a career fundraising professional and Founder and Managing Partner of The Killoe Group. His firm assists nonprofit organizations increase revenue, exposure and capacity through smart, data driven, successive decisions and effective planning. Mike’s experience and passion for the profession of fundraising have made him a sought-after speaker, consultant and presenter. The Killoe Group’s broad experiences include annual campaign audits and management, capital campaign leadership, feasibility studies, interim program leadership, board governance, strategic planning and capacity building.