Ahhh… It’s finally summer. Long days. Lots of sunshine. You may be dreaming about vacations, ice cream concoctions, and extra time to read… (Or maybe that’s just me!)
For many development professionals, it’s also a (slightly) less busy time of the year.
While I wholeheartedly encourage you to enjoy some much-deserved downtime, I hope you’ll also take some time to assess the health of your organization and conduct planning activities that will lead to success this fall.
Confirm your Direction
Use the summer to revisit your organization’s strategic direction. Ask some key questions:
Is the organization making progress on our strategic plan?
Are the board and staff aligned about top organizational priorities?
What revisions should be made to our priorities and activities?
As Lewis Carroll noted in Alice in Wonderland, “If you don’t know which way you’re going, it doesn’t matter which way you go.” Don’t let your organization wander aimlessly. Confirm your direction and move forward.
Conduct an Organizational Health Check-Up
Set aside time for an organizational check-up.
Is the organization functioning at full strength?
Is the team working well together and feeling supported?
Are our software solutions and systems meeting our needs?
Is our board engaged and focused?
What steps can we take this summer to improve our organization’s health?
By investing in the organizational infrastructure and team, you’ll be ready to function more effectively.
Update your Fund Development Plan
Whether you’re on the cusp of starting a new fiscal year, or halfway through, now is a great time to analyze your fundraising outcomes and set goals for the next few months. Take a look at your most recent activities and outcomes to identify what’s working and what’s not. You might ask:
Where are our fundraising outcomes declining? Where are they improving?
How does the current fundraising climate impact our efforts? (Check out Giving USA’s recent findings.)
What should we stop doing because it no longer serves our goals?
Update your fund development plan to reflect your recent learnings and align with your current capacity.
Schedule a Personal Retreat
Maybe what you really need is a day alone for planning… Take time to step back from the day-to-day work to look at the big picture. You might set professional growth goals, look for training or mentoring, or update your resume. Give yourself the time to dream big about your career trajectory and the impact you wish to have through your work. Maybe it’s time for you to serve as a mentor or use your expertise by serving on a nonprofit board.
Time is Precious
The summer is fleeting. Before you know it, the busy year-end fundraising season will be upon us. Take time now to prepare for success later. As another great book reminds us, “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” (J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring)
Need help with your summer planning? Reach out to see how AltruNext can partner with your organization to plan now for a successful fall fundraising season!
Photo by Stock Snap on Pixabay
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