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How to create a GREAT fundraising strategy for your small nonprofit

Every thriving nonprofit starts with a plan, not a guess. In this episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, we break down how a thoughtful, strategic fundraising plan can set your organization up for sustainable growth, smarter decisions, and way less chaos.

You’ll get a practical overview of what goes into a successful plan, how to make it work for your team (no matter the size), and why it’s the single best tool to help you stop reacting and start leading.

This episode is hosted by Maria Rio, a seasoned fundraising expert with over a decade of experience helping nonprofits grow their impact through clear strategy and effective implementation.

Creating a fundraising plan for your nonprofit: 5 key takeaways

A great plan is more than a calendar of events.
A strong fundraising plan isn’t a to-do list; it’s your mission’s compass. It links your big goals to everyday actions and keeps everyone pointed in the same direction.
Start with what you know.
Use your current data (donor history, revenue sources, and engagement patterns) as a foundation. You can’t look ahead if you don’t know where you’re starting from.
Short-term wins + long-term vision = sustainability.
A good plan should help you meet today’s goals and build the systems you need for future growth.
Your plan helps you say no.
When everything feels urgent, it’s easy to chase shiny objects. But a plan gives you permission to decline distractions and stay focused on what really matters.
Real growth comes from realistic goals.
Forget plucked-from-thin-air numbers. Use benchmarks and historical trends to set fundraising targets you can actually achieve, and build momentum from there.

🎧 Listen to more episodes for actionable fundraising tips and insights on nonprofit leadership, nonprofit governance, productivity & tools, and donor engagement strategies that work. We're here to eliminate nonprofit burnout and boost your donations!

✅ 3 Actionable Tips for fundraising strategy creation

Use a SWOT analysis to pick the right goals.
Interview 6–12 people inside and outside your team. Talk about what’s working, what’s not, and what’s next. It’s a great way to find gaps and inspire new direction.
Turn your plan into a monthly workback schedule.
Break goals into tasks, assign them, and set deadlines. A plan only works if it actually gets used (and revisited) by your team.
Make space for regular updates.
Revisit your plan quarterly or monthly. It should evolve as your organization grows, and the regular check-ins will keep it fresh and relevant.

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