All too often, the year starts and fundraising planning gives way to crisis control. To help you get out of emergency mode, I’m sharing this nonprofit fundraising plan template – all ready for you to customize. If you’ve ever wondered how to write a successful fundraising strategy, this is a great start.

Some 52 percent of all websites use Google Analytics. But few of the nonprofits I’ve worked for have this free tool installed. And even fewer use the data to guide decision making. 

This condition could eventually be fatal. Here’s why.

Truly successful fundraising, the kind that builds a relationship and earns repeat donations, runs on data. A good database can tell you exactly who to mail, what to mail them and when they’re most likely to give a donation. It’s time to leave Access and Excel behind—without breaking the bank or your back. 

I’ve based all of my successful fundraising strategy around emotion backed up by logic, not the other way around. But now I know there are specific times when the exact opposite is true. Just don’t forget to back up your ask with a great impact story and fantastic stewardship.

New fundraisers are often surprised at how mentally challenging the job can be. To avoid burnout, it’s up to you to convince the boss that you need some outside muscle. Here’s how to go about that and not get burned.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned in 20 years of nonprofit fundraising it’s this: if you want to be successful at the job, you have to own it. No one is going to give you millions of dollars unless you’re fully committed. Here are 9 signs you might just be a fundraiser after all.