Last month, we shared the first five of our top fundraising tips, a look back at the blog posts that resonated most with our readers over the past decade. If you missed Part One, you can find it here.
This month, we’re wrapping up the list with tips #6 through #10. These fundraising tips cover some of the topics we’ve returned to most often in our work: engaging your board, building a fundraising plan, taking care of yourself as a fundraiser, advance preparation for year-end, and the power of mentorship in our field.
Thank you for reading, and for being part of this community. Here’s to the next ten years.
Tip #6: Help Your Board Become Fundraising Partners
Activating a board as genuine fundraising partners is one of the most common challenges nonprofit leaders face regardless of the organization’s size or mission. The starting point is recognizing and celebrating the board members who are already engaged and creating low-pressure entry points for those who aren’t yet. Brainstorming sessions and one-on-one conversations about specific ways a board member can help are more effective than waiting for volunteers to raise their hands at a meeting. Most board members didn’t join your board planning to fundraise. With the right education, tools, and encouragement, many of them can grow into powerful ambassadors for your mission. Read the full blog here.
Tip #7: Make Space for the Emotional Weight of This Work
Fundraising is meaningful work, and it’s also hard work. The fundraisers we partner with are passionate about their missions, and they’re often stretched thin. The stress, pressure, and fatigue that come with this role are real and worth naming. If you’re feeling it, you’re not alone. Lean on your peers and professional networks. Celebrate the small wins alongside the big ones. Remember that every conversation, every letter, every event contributes to something that matters. Sustainable fundraising starts with sustainable fundraisers. Read the full blog here.
Tip #8: Build a Plan That Sets You Up to Grow
A strong annual fundraising plan isn’t just a financial document, it’s a roadmap that keeps your team focused, sets clear expectations, and builds the kind of consistency that leads to real growth. A good plan outlines your strategic and financial goals, defines strategies for each donor audience, and specifies approaches across channels: online giving, direct mail, major gifts, grants, recurring giving programs, and events. It also accounts for the board members, volunteers and staff, training, and technology needed to deliver on it. Critically, the plan should also include stewardship strategies that enable the organization to shift its focus from constantly replacing donors to retaining the donors it has. Retention is less expensive, more effective, and far more sustainable than acquisition. Read the full blog here.
Tip #9: Invest in the Next Generation of Fundraisers
In a field that runs on relationships, strategic thinking, and institutional knowledge, mentorship isn’t optional. It’s essential. Pairing emerging fundraisers with experienced professionals strengthens teams, accelerates development, and helps organizations adapt to a rapidly changing philanthropic landscape. The benefits run both ways: mentors gain perspective and the satisfaction of giving back; mentees gain guidance they can’t get from training or webinars. If you’re interested in getting involved, we’d encourage you to explore the Power Pairings Mentoring Program through AFP Western PA. Read the full blog here.
Tip #10: Plan Early for Year-End – Your Biggest Opportunity
Nearly a third of all charitable donations happen in December, with a significant share coming in the final three days of the year. That means year-end is your highest-stakes fundraising moment, and it rewards preparation. Start earlier than feels necessary. Use an omnichannel approach so that your email, direct mail, social media, and phone outreach reinforce each other rather than operating in silos. Segment your list and tailor your messaging to different donor groups. Tie your ask amounts to specific, tangible outcomes. Don’t underestimate direct mail. A well-crafted appeal letter, complete with a strong P.S., still connects. And make sure your team, board, and volunteers are aligned and ready. The organizations that raise the most at year-end aren’t just lucky, they planned for it. Read the full blog here.
Ten Years In, and Still Learning
Looking back over ten years, what strikes us most is how consistent the fundamentals have been. The tools change. The landscape shifts. But the core of good fundraising — building real relationships, communicating honestly, treating donors as partners, and taking care of the people doing the work — has stayed the same.
We’re grateful to the organizations and colleagues who have trusted us as partners over the past decade. Your work inspires us, and the privilege of being part of it hasn’t worn off.
Here’s to the next ten years. If there’s anything from this list you’d like to explore further, we’d love to talk. Connect with Maureen Mahoney Hill, CFRE, at maureen@advancementadvisorsgroup.com.
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Maureen Mahoney Hill, CFRE, is the founder and principal of Advancement Advisors, a consulting firm dedicated to helping nonprofits strengthen their fundraising efforts.