The start of a new year is the perfect time to reflect, refocus, and set meaningful goals for the months ahead. For fundraisers, 2025 presents an opportunity to improve strategies, deepen connections, and amplify impact. Here are five resolutions to guide your fundraising efforts this year:
1. Prioritize Donor Relationships
It’s easy to get caught up in the numbers, but fundraising is about building lasting relationships, not just securing one-time gifts. This year, commit to deepening your connections with donors. Focus on personalized communications, meaningful recognition, and understanding their motivations. Take time to thank donors personally and share the tangible impact their contributions are making.
Action Item: Start the year off right by picking up the phone and thanking donors for their year-end gifts.
2. Embrace Data-Driven Fundraising
I love data! It provides insights into, campaign performance, donor behavior, and areas for growth. In 2025, use data analytics to inform your strategies, from crafting targeted appeals to identifying lapsed donors. Regularly evaluate metrics like donor retention, average gift size, and campaign ROI to ensure your efforts are efficient and impactful. And if they’re not, it’s ok to make a shift and test new strategies.
Action item: Identify metrics for the year ahead. Pull that data from 2024 so you can compare year-over-year to determine growth.
3. Diversify Fundraising Strategies
Relying on one or two methods of fundraising can be risky. Just as you would diversify your own investment portfolio, fundraising strategies need the same treatment. This year, aim to diversify your approach by exploring new opportunities such as recurring giving programs, peer-to-peer fundraising, cause-related marketing, or a planned giving program. A multi-channel strategy ensures broader reach and mitigates potential shortfalls from any one source.
Action Item: Identify one or two new ideas for your team to work on during 2025.
4. Harness the Power of Storytelling
People give to people (or animals!), not organizations. They want to see and hear how their gift is changing lives. Share compelling stories that showcase the impact of your work. Highlight those whose lives have been transformed by your programs, using videos, photos, and testimonials to bring their experiences to life. Make storytelling a central part of your appeals, events, and social media campaigns.
Action Item: Partner with your program team and ask 5 participants if they are willing to tell their stories. Be respectful of their decision to participate and share only what they are comfortable with.
5. Invest in Self-Care and Professional Growth
Self-care can seem like a buzzword, but in practice, it’s critical. Fundraising is a demanding profession, and burnout is real. In 2025, commit to taking care of yourself while continuing to grow as a fundraiser. Set boundaries, celebrate small wins, and seek opportunities for professional development, such as attending conferences or pursuing certifications. I would also suggest connecting with like-minded folks to share challenges (and commiserate a little!) so you don’t feel alone in your struggles as a fundraiser. This work can be frustrating at times, and it’s good to have trusted friends and colleagues to lean on.
Action Item: Block time on your calendar now for taking time away from work in the next month or so. The end of year is a busy time for fundraisers, so take some time for yourself to rest and rejuvenate!
Conclusion
These resolutions are not just about improving fundraising results—they’re about building stronger connections, driving greater impact, and finding joy in the important work you do. By committing to these goals, 2025 can be a transformative year for you and your organization.
Here’s to a year of growth, generosity, and success—happy fundraising!