Beyond the ask: A yearlong fundraising roadmap for small nonprofits

Let’s be real — fundraising can feel like a never-ending hustle. One minute you’re celebrating a big donation, and the next, you’re wondering where the next one is coming from. Sound familiar? That’s why having a plan is everything. 

To support you in that process we partnered with Professional Fundraising Coach Drew Glover to develop “The ultimate yearlong fundraising roadmap for small nonprofits,” a comprehensive guide designed to empower organizations like yours to navigate the fundraising journey with confidence.

Why you need a fundraising roadmap

Fundraising isn’t just about getting people to open their wallets — it’s about building relationships, increasing visibility, and using data to make smart decisions. If donors only hear from you when you need money, that’s not a relationship — it’s a transaction. And transactions don’t build long-term support.

This free guide lays out a clear, step-by-step plan to help you build a sustainable fundraising strategy.

What’s inside the guide?

We break it down into eight key steps that will help you ditch the guesswork and start fundraising with confidence:

1. Assess your current fundraising strategy: Before you can plan ahead, you need to take stock of where you are. What’s working? What’s not? Where are the gaps?
2. Set your fundraising goals: Fundraising without goals is like a road trip with no destination. Define how much you need to raise, how many donors you want to engage, and what success looks like.
3. Develop a fundraising calendar: A well-planned calendar makes sure you’re reaching donors consistently instead of scrambling at the last minute.
4. Build donor journeys and engagement strategies: Fundraising isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. Segment your donors and create personalized experiences that keep them engaged.
5. Implement multi-channel outreach: Email, social media, direct mail, events — use a mix of channels to connect with donors in the way that works best for them.
6. Engage your team in fundraising: You don’t have to do this alone! Board members, staff, volunteers — everyone has a role to play in building relationships and raising funds.
7. Steward transformational relationships, not just transactions: Keep donors engaged by showing them the real impact of their gifts. The more valued they feel, the more likely they are to keep giving.
8. Measure and optimize fundraising success: Data isn’t scary, we promise. Regularly tracking key metrics will help you see what’s working and where you need to pivot.

This isn’t just another fundraising plan — it’s a game changer

This guide isn’t full of fluff. It’s packed with actionable steps, real-world insights, and downloadable tools, including:

• A fundraising calendar template to keep you organized.
• A donor segmentation worksheet to help you personalize outreach.
• A fundraising performance tracker to measure progress.
• A donor stewardship checklist to build stronger relationships.

Let’s get to work

Fundraising isn’t about just chasing money — it’s about building a movement. The best fundraisers don’t just ask for donations; they inspire people to be part of something bigger. This free guide will help you fundraise with purpose, clarity, and strategy so you can stop scrambling and start growing.

Ready to get started? Download The ultimate yearlong fundraising roadmap for small nonprofits now and start planning for your best fundraising year yet.

More resources to support your fundraising journey

At Bonterra, we’re all about helping nonprofits thrive. Check out our blogs for more insights, tools, and tips on fundraising, donor engagement, and nonprofit success. Let’s build something great together!