Not-for-profit and charity organisations rely heavily on fundraising to support their missions and serve their beneficiaries. In today's world, with increasing competition for donor dollars, it is more important than ever to develop a comprehensive fundraising strategy that ensures sustainable funding for your organisation's work. 

Here are some key elements to consider when developing a not-for-profit and charity fundraising strategy: 

Define your organisation's mission and impact 

To have a successful fundraising campaign for your not-for-profit, you need to have a clear understanding of your organisation's mission and the impact you are making in the community. This will help you articulate your message and make a compelling case for support. 

Identify target donors of your not-for-profit’s fundraising strategy 

Understanding who your donors are is critical in developing a fundraising strategy. Identify your target donors by analysing your donor data and creating donor personas. This will help you tailor your messaging and fundraising tactics to appeal to specific donor segments. 

Set realistic fundraising goals for your not-for-profit 

Develop a budget and goals for your fundraising strategy that aligns with your organisation's mission and impact. Consider both short-term and long-term goals and be realistic about what you can achieve. Use data and historical fundraising performance to guide your goal setting. Learning from real-life case studies in the sector and webinars is another tactic that can help you build concrete, action-oriented objectives, and articulate for-purpose, measurable results. Sign up for this webinar to understand and communicate the value your project brings to your community. 

Develop a diversified fundraising plan 

A diversified fundraising plan reduces reliance on anyone funding source and ensures long-term sustainability. Consider a mix of fundraising channels, including individual giving, major gifts, corporate giving, grants, events, and online fundraising. 

Invest in donor cultivation and stewardship 

Donors are more likely to give again if they feel appreciated and connected to your organisation's work. Invest in donor cultivation and stewardship to build long-term relationships with your donors. This includes regular communication, acknowledging donations promptly, and providing opportunities for engagement. 

Using technology software to manage your donors and fundraising campaign 

You can search for software designed for not-for-profits to organise and segment your donors, or to create a website or action hub with the petition, event, signup, and donation pages. Here are a few common features of donor and fundraising management software to help you run your campaign effectively:

• Streamline communications with workflows - send multiple emails, segment audiences and track conversations all automatically: Nation Builder Pro 

• Track contact information for your donors, prospects, volunteers, and others: Little Green Light, Keela 

• Gain insights and convert supporters, reach potential donors, connect with constituents, build and manage websites, and manage operations: Hubspot 

In conclusion, developing a comprehensive fundraising strategy is critical to the success of not-for-profit and charity organisations. By defining your mission, identifying target donors, setting realistic goals, developing a diversified fundraising plan, investing in donor cultivation and stewardship, and using the right software to manage your campaign, you can create a sustainable fundraising strategy that supports your organisation's work and impact.