2019 is coming to a close, so let’s talk 2020. A new year, along with a new decade, is cause for new goals for your nonprofit. Nonprofits should not have to struggle for funding nor beg board members to show up. And, if you are financially stable, you can think about what can you do to improve your programs, the experiences of members or beneficiaries, and the appreciation of donors and funders.

If you have goals for your nonprofit, I would love to hear what they are. If you don’t, consider the following:

• Raise your annual fundraising by 10%
• Retain 11% more donors overall each year for the next three years
• Bring on two new board members in 2020 that will increase diversity – that can be age, gender, color,  background or any category that would improve the way you help your nonprofit be more representative of the population you serve
• Start planning your capital/endowment campaign (let us know if we can help)
• Evaluate your staff to understand how well you are deploying each person to achieve your goals
• Hire an executive coach. It can seem expensive but it can be much more cost effective to train staff you like than let someone go and hire a new staff person with their own deficits
• Plan two new ways to identify prospects
• Inspire your board to be more supportive and help in fundraising (even if some won’t solicit they can still participate in development)
• Identify three new ways to steward your donors
• Evaluate your committee structure to ensure effectiveness instead of continuing to do it the way you always have.

I hope this helps you start your planning. And don’t forget: create a timeline to achieve your goals for your nonprofit so we are not having the same conversation when 2021 comes around.