How to Create a Nonprofit Fundraising Plan
Key Takeaways
A nonprofit fundraising plan is a written, 12-month strategy that outlines your goals, methods, timeline, and team responsibilities — and it should be updated every year.
Start by calculating your real funding need, broken into operational costs and program costs, then set a realistic fundraising goal around that number.
Diversify your revenue sources — individual donations, grants, events, online campaigns, and corporate partnerships each play a different role in a healthy funding mix.
Assign clear roles to board members, staff, and volunteers so fundraising doesn't fall on one person, and build a calendar so campaigns happen consistently throughout the year.
Track key metrics monthly, including total raised, new donors, retention rate, and cost per dollar raised, and adjust your plan based on what the numbers tell you.
A nonprofit fundraising plan is the roadmap your organization needs to raise money consistently and grow with confidence. This guide walks first-time founders through setting goals, choosing fundraising methods, building a calendar, and tracking results.
Fundraising is one of the first big challenges every new nonprofit faces. You have a mission you believe in, but turning that mission into a funded, functioning organization takes more than passion. It takes a plan.
A nonprofit fundraising plan is a practical document that outlines how your organization will raise the money it needs to operate and grow. It keeps your team focused, helps you make smarter decisions, and gives donors and board members a clear picture of your financial direction. For a deeper look at where nonprofit money comes from and how funding works overall, the How Nonprofits Get Funding: Complete Guide for New Founders is a great place to start.
This guide walks you through how to build a fundraising plan from the ground up, even if you've never done it before.
What Is a Nonprofit Fundraising Plan?
Quick Answer
A nonprofit fundraising plan is a written strategy that outlines your fundraising goals, the methods you'll use to reach them, your timeline, and who's responsible for each part. It typically covers a 12-month period and is updated annually. A good plan helps your nonprofit raise money consistently, build donor relationships, and stay financially stable over time.
Why Your Nonprofit Needs a Fundraising Plan
Without a plan, fundraising tends to happen in bursts, usually when money runs low. That reactive approach makes it hard to budget, hard to grow, and hard to build trust with donors.
A written fundraising plan helps you:
- Set realistic revenue goals based on your capacity
- Diversify your income so you're not dependent on one source
- Keep your board and staff aligned around shared priorities
- Track what's working and adjust what isn't
- Build the kind of donor relationships that lead to long-term support
The National Council of Nonprofits notes that sustainable nonprofits treat fundraising as an ongoing, strategic process, not a one-time effort. That's exactly what a plan helps you do.
Step 1: Set Clear Fundraising Goals
Start with the numbers. How much does your nonprofit need to raise this year? Break that down into two categories.
Operational costs are the expenses required to keep your organization running. This includes staff salaries, rent, utilities, software, and administrative costs.
Program costs are the expenses tied directly to delivering your mission. Think supplies, services, events, or staff time dedicated to programs.
Once you know your total funding need, set a realistic fundraising goal that accounts for any other income sources you have, such as grants already awarded or earned revenue.
For help thinking through the numbers, Nonprofit Budget Basics for New Organizations is a useful companion resource.
Step 2: Know Who You're Asking
Before you can raise money, you need to know who your donors are and why they might give.
Think about your nonprofit's mission and the people most likely to connect with it. Are they local community members? Faith communities? Professionals in a specific field? Parents? Small business owners?
Build a basic donor profile that includes:
- Who they are (demographics, interests, connection to your cause)
- Why they would give (what motivates them)
- How they prefer to be reached (email, social media, in-person events, direct mail)
This doesn't need to be complicated. Even a simple, honest picture of your likely supporters will help you tailor your outreach and make every communication feel more personal and relevant.
Understanding how to build donor trust early is one of the most important investments you can make as a new nonprofit.
For a deeper dive into where to find those donors in the first place, check out our guide on How Do Nonprofits Find Donors? It covers the best strategies for identifying and reaching supporters who are aligned with your mission.
Step 3: Choose Your Fundraising Methods
There's no single right way to raise money. Most nonprofits use a mix of methods, and your plan should reflect that. Here are the most common options for new organizations.
Individual donations are gifts from people who believe in your cause. This is often the most sustainable long-term revenue source. It includes one-time gifts, recurring monthly donations, and major gifts from committed supporters.
Grants are funds awarded by foundations, government agencies, or corporations. They typically require an application and come with reporting requirements. If you're considering grants, start by learning how to find grants for a nonprofit and then use our 7 Steps to Write a Nonprofit Grant Proposal That Gets Noticed to put together a strong application.
Fundraising events bring your community together and can raise visibility as well as money. Examples include galas, fun runs, auctions, and community dinners.
Online fundraising includes crowdfunding campaigns, peer-to-peer fundraising, and digital donation pages. Platforms like GoFundMe Charity and Givebutter are popular with newer nonprofits.
Corporate partnerships involve businesses sponsoring your work or matching employee donations. These relationships take time to develop but can become significant sources of funding.
For your first year, it's better to focus on two or three methods you can actually execute well rather than spreading yourself too thin. First-Year Fundraising Strategies for Small Nonprofits has practical advice specifically for organizations just getting started.
Step 4: Build a 12-Month Fundraising Calendar
A fundraising calendar turns your plan into action. It maps out when each campaign, appeal, or event will happen throughout the year.
A simple calendar might look like this:
| Month | Activity | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| January | Year-end thank-you calls, donor stewardship | Retention |
| February | Email appeal to existing donors | $2,000 |
| March | Grant application deadline | $5,000 |
| May | Spring fundraising event | $3,500 |
| September | Peer-to-peer campaign launch | $4,000 |
| November | GivingTuesday campaign | $3,000 |
| December | Year-end appeal | $6,000 |
Your calendar doesn't need to be elaborate. What matters is that you have dates on the calendar and someone assigned to each activity.
Step 5: Assign Roles and Responsibilities
Fundraising is a team effort. Your plan should clearly state who is responsible for each piece of the work.
For many small nonprofits, the executive director leads fundraising strategy while board members help with donor outreach and event support. Volunteers or part-time staff may assist with communications or logistics.
The National Council of Nonprofits' guidance on good governance policies notes that strong board involvement is a hallmark of well-managed nonprofits. Engaging your board in fundraising, even in small ways, strengthens your organization and builds accountability.
Be realistic about your team's capacity. A plan that requires more hours than you have available will stall out quickly.
Step 6: Track Your Progress
Once your plan is in motion, check in on it regularly. A monthly or quarterly review helps you catch problems early and celebrate progress.
Track these metrics:
- Total raised vs. goal (by month and by method)
- Number of new donors acquired
- Donor retention rate (how many donors gave again compared to last year)
- Average gift size
- Cost to raise a dollar (expenses divided by revenue)
The Giving USA 2026 Report on Philanthropy tracks national giving trends and can help you understand how your results compare to broader patterns.
If something isn't working, adjust it. A fundraising plan is a living document, not a rulebook.
One More Thing: Make Sure You're Ready to Accept Donations
Before you launch any public fundraising effort, make sure your nonprofit is legally ready to receive donations. This means you've incorporated at the state level and, in most states, registered for charitable solicitation. If you've already filed your 501(c)(3) application with the IRS, donations received during the review period may qualify for retroactive tax-deductible status once your exemption is approved.
Not sure where you stand? When Can a Nonprofit Organization Start Accepting Donations? walks through the key thresholds clearly.
Final Thoughts
A fundraising plan won't raise money on its own, but it gives you a clear, confident path forward. It helps you stay consistent, build real relationships with donors, and grow your organization in a sustainable way.
If you're still in the process of forming your nonprofit or getting your 501(c)(3) status, start there first. How to Form a Nonprofit Organization in 8 Steps lays out the full formation process in plain language.
Once your structure is in place, your fundraising plan becomes the engine that keeps your mission moving forward. Beacon is here to help you build that foundation with confidence.
- Beacon Nonprofit. How Nonprofits Get Funding: Complete Guide for New Founders.
- National Council of Nonprofits. Fundraising and Resource Development.
- National Council of Nonprofits. Good Governance Policies for Nonprofits.
- Foundation Source. Key Takeaways from Giving USA's 2026 Report on Philanthropy.
- IRS. Application for Recognition of Exemption.
- GoFundMe Charity. Online Fundraising for Nonprofits.
- Givebutter. Nonprofit Fundraising Platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
A nonprofit fundraising plan should include your annual fundraising goal, the methods you'll use to raise funds, a 12-month calendar of campaigns and activities, assigned roles for staff and board members, and a system for tracking progress. It should be reviewed and updated at least once a year.
There's no universal number. Your first-year fundraising goal should be based on your actual operating and program costs, minus any other income sources like grants already secured. Set a goal that's ambitious but realistic given your team's capacity and your current donor network.
For small or new nonprofits, individual donations and small grants are often the most accessible starting points. Online fundraising tools like crowdfunding pages make it easier to reach people beyond your immediate network. Focus on two or three methods you can execute consistently rather than trying to do everything at once.
Yes, in most cases. Once you've incorporated at the state level, you can generally begin accepting donations. However, those donations may not be tax-deductible to your donors until the IRS approves your 501(c)(3) application. Donations made during the review period may qualify for retroactive tax-deductible status once approval is granted. Check your state's charitable solicitation registration requirements before launching any public campaigns.
At minimum, once a year. Most nonprofits revisit their fundraising plan at the end of each fiscal year, using actual results to set goals and adjust strategies for the next 12 months. If something isn't working mid-year, don't wait. Adjust your plan as needed and keep moving forward.
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