Introduction
The start of a new year is the perfect opportunity for your nonprofit to reset, refocus, and plan for success. With a thoughtful approach to goal-setting, mission alignment, and relationship-building, you can position your organization for a year of meaningful impact and growth.
Whether it's refining your strategies, investing in your team, or deepening connections with supporters, these actionable tips will help you hit the ground running!
1. Set clear goals
At the end of the year, you want to look back and see if the year was a success or not. However, with all the ups and downs of the day-to-day, it’s hard to do that unless you have the data to look back on.
That’s why it’s important to define specific, measurable objectives for the year. With a clear path forward, focusing on growth, impact, and engagement, you know where you're headed and can have regular check-ins to see if you’re on track to hit your goals.
- Break down your annual goals into quarterly or monthly milestones.
- Involve your team in goal-setting to help with buy-in and alignment across departments.
- Use SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) criteria to evaluate your goals.
Remember: flexibility is key! If, over the course of the year, you realize that these goals no longer align with your mission, it’s okay to shift and redefine success for your nonprofit.
2. Reconnect with your mission statement
It’s easy to get lost in the daily grind and follow the path of least resistance, even if it isn’t aligning with your mission. Now is the time to revisit your mission statement and make sure your programs, campaigns, and messaging align with it.
- Host a brainstorming session with your team to confirm that your mission still reflects your values and community needs.
- Analyze the big decisions made over the past year and assess how they did or did not align with your mission.
- If you decide to make changes to your mission statement, update your website and marketing materials with refreshed language that highlights your current focus.
- Use this opportunity to communicate your renewed mission to supporters.
3. Audit your fundraising efforts
That end-of-year fundraising rush is over, and now it’s time to start planning for the year ahead. But before you jump into planning that next campaign, pause to analyze what worked in 2024 and refine your fundraising strategies for a stronger 2025!
- Evaluate the ROI (return on investment) of past campaigns and identify which of your campaigns and appeals had the most impact and success.
- Send out an update email, and ask for feedback from your donors on their giving experience and engagement with your nonprofit to pinpoint areas for improvement.
- Use data to determine which donor segments need re-engagement or special attention.
4. Update your nonprofit CRM
Is your nonprofit CRM working as efficiently as you need it to? The start of the year is the perfect time to evaluate its performance, clean up your donor data, and refine your strategy for the months ahead.
Reassess your CRM needs
- Are you relying on outdated tools or spreadsheets that are slowing you down? Consider upgrading to a CRM designed with you in mind.
- Already have a CRM but need a refresh? Explore how other organizations are leveraging their CRMs to uncover strategies you might not have considered.
Clean and organize your data
- De-duplicate donor records to ensure accurate communication and reporting.
- Segment donors based on giving history, event participation, or interests to create more personalized campaigns.
Automate your outreach
- Set up automated workflows to re-engage lapsed donors or welcome new ones.
- Schedule personalized messages for different donor segments, ensuring your communication feels timely and relevant.
Keeping your CRM updated and optimized not only saves time but also enhances your ability to connect with supporters in meaningful ways.
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5. Strengthen your team
The start of the year is the perfect time to focus on building up your team. Investing in staff development—through training, workshops, or team retreats—can re-energize your staff, build new skills, and foster a deeper sense of connection. Whether it’s leadership training, fundraising workshops, or sessions focused on mental health and wellness, prioritizing growth shows your team they’re valued and sets everyone up for success.
It’s also a great time to plan for future conferences. Attending conferences gives your team the opportunity to connect with other nonprofit professionals, discover fresh ideas, and sharpen skills in donor management, engagement, and fundraising. Plus, exploring new tools and resources can help your nonprofit thrive in the year ahead.
6. Empower your board
Your board members can play a key role in fundraising, but they need clear direction and the right tools to succeed.
- Set Clear Goals: Establish specific fundraising roles for each board member, such as hosting events, making introductions to potential donors, or securing sponsorships. Clear expectations make it easier for them to take action.
- Offer Training and Resources: Provide fundraising training to boost their confidence in making asks, sharing your mission, and advocating for your cause. Equip them with resources like talking points, donor materials, and success stories.
- Track and Celebrate Progress: Create a report to monitor their efforts and contributions. This helps keep everyone motivated and allows you to celebrate wins—big or small—along the way.
When board members feel supported and empowered, they’ll become confident ambassadors for your nonprofit’s mission.
7. Connect with volunteers
Start the year by engaging your volunteers and setting the stage for meaningful, long-term involvement. Plan events, training sessions, or appreciation opportunities to reconnect, inspire, and show your gratitude. Define clear roles and responsibilities so volunteers understand where they fit and how their efforts contribute to your mission.
Here are a few ways to keep your volunteers engaged and motivated throughout the year:
- Event Invitations: Invite volunteers to events not just as helpers, but as participants. Including them in the bigger picture makes them feel valued and connected to your mission.
- Feedback and Involvement: Ask for their input through surveys or one-on-one conversations. Showing you value their feedback builds trust and helps improve their experience.
- Impact Stories: Share real stories about the impact of their time and effort. Highlighting the difference they make can be incredibly motivating and affirming.
- Community Building: Create opportunities for volunteers to connect with one another, such as social gatherings, group projects, or team-building activities. A strong sense of community leads to more fulfilling and lasting involvement.
With regular communication, recognition, and opportunities for connection, your volunteers will stay excited and invested in your mission all year long.
8. Build relationships with major donors
There are three key questions every donor is silently asking:
- Can I trust you?
- Do you care about me, or just my money?
- Am I making a real impact?
Now is a great time to focus on deepening relationships with your major donors. Help them answer these questions by taking time to connect, whether in person, over the phone, or through a handwritten letter. Building rapport, sharing updates, and demonstrating transparency, help major donors know that you are trustworthy, care about them, and that they are making a real impact.
If you are just getting started with moves management or building a major donors program, check out these two resources below to start your 2025 off on the right foot.
🌐 Build an Effective Major Donors Program in 6 Steps
🌐 Mastering Moves Management: A Guide to Cultivating Major Donors
9. Collaborate with partners
Building strong partnerships can amplify your impact and help you reach new audiences. Identify local businesses, nonprofits, or community groups that share your goals or serve a similar audience.
Mutually beneficial collaborations can lead to creative campaigns, co-hosted events, or shared resources that strengthen both organizations.
Here are a few ideas for collaboration:
- Cohost an event: Partner with a local business to host a fundraiser, workshop, or community event.
- Cross-promote: Share each other’s work on social media, newsletters, or websites to expand visibility.
- Social media takeover: Let a volunteer, constituent, or other nonprofit takeover your nonprofit’s social media account for a short period of time. The goal is to share content and engage with your audience to boost engagement and expand your reach.
- Sponsor programs: Work with a business to sponsor a specific initiative or campaign.
Be sure to highlight these partnerships in your communications to showcase the collective impact and inspire others to join your mission.
10. Focus on recurring giving
You’ve likely just finished up your biggest campaign of the year, which makes the idea of launching a new campaign feel daunting. And let’s be honest, your donors aren’t ready for another ask either.
That makes the start of the year a great time to focus on recurring giving!
Take the time to engage your donors with a recap of last year and a glimpse into your goals for the year ahead. Use this as an opportunity to promote monthly giving options to create a steady revenue stream throughout the year.
Share stories with your donors that demonstrate the sustained impact of monthly gifts. If you have a donor who has given $100 every month over the past year, include a story that shows exactly what impact their gifts have made in the community.
Additionally, you could let your donors know what a monthly gift could mean for your mission. For example: a dog rescue might say “A monthly gift of $50 provides a month of food for one dog.”
11. Start planning events
By organizing your events calendar now, you’ll set yourself up for a smoother, stress-free 2025. Whether you’re planning fundraising galas, volunteer appreciation events, or community outreach programs, mapping out key dates, themes, and goals ahead of time gives you plenty of breathing room to promote, prepare, and pull everything together.
Planning early also means you can lock in venues, speakers, and sponsors before schedules fill up—and it helps you keep your events aligned with your bigger goals. Plus, it’s a great way to keep donors, volunteers, and supporters engaged all year long!
Need help knowing where to start with event planning? Check out this comprehensive event planning checklist!
🌐 Event Planning Checklist - Free Tools from DonorDock
12. Thank your donors
Kick off the year with gratitude by showing your donors how much their support means! Donor appreciation is key to engaging your donor base.
Whether through heartfelt letters, emails, or even a quick phone call, taking the time to acknowledge their generosity strengthens your connection and builds loyalty.
Consider sharing success stories or updates from your organization to show donors the tangible difference they’ve helped create.
Starting the year with sincere appreciation sets the tone for continued support and engagement.
13. Celebrate small wins
Build momentum and set a positive tone for the year ahead by recognizing all your team’s small wins over the last quarter! Take time to celebrate individual contributions and team milestones, whether through team meetings, internal newsletters, or even a casual coffee break. Sharing these wins publicly on social media not only keeps your team motivated but also engages your audience and strengthens their connection to your mission.
Use small successes as stepping stones to demonstrate progress toward larger goals. Reflecting on these moments—big and small—boosts morale, reinforces confidence, and reminds everyone of the value of their hard work. Celebrating along the way creates an environment where your team feels appreciated, energized, and ready to make an even bigger impact.
Conclusion
A strong start sets the tone for a successful year of impact, engagement, and growth. By taking intentional steps now, your nonprofit can build momentum that carries throughout 2025. Which of these strategies will you put into action today to create a brighter future for your mission?
