Prioritizing Fundraising
- Chris B.
- 36 minutes ago
- 2 min read
If you want to prioritize fundraising, you have to actually prioritize fundraising.
One of the first things I look at when working with organizations is the actual workload placed on their fundraisers. Because if one person is responsible for annual giving, major gifts, grants, special events, newsletters, social media, and whatever else pops up… it becomes nearly impossible to build a strong fundraising program.
At some point, you have to take a very honest look at the work on the table. If fundraising is truly a priority, then something else has to give.
That might mean:
Pressing pause on certain projects
Delaying tasks that aren’t mission‑critical
Sharing responsibilities with other staff
Bringing in volunteers for appropriate work
These conversations are hard—especially for small shops. I don’t say that lightly. But the impact of focused, intentional fundraising work is remarkable. When you invest in it, the results are transformative. When you don’t, you simply won’t see those results.
And here’s the other truth: not all fundraising activities are created equal.
Gift entry is important, but it’s not a high‑value fundraising activity. Year‑end emails matter, but they’re not where relationships are built. Special events are full of “fundraising tasks” that don’t actually bring you closer to a donor.
When we talk about prioritizing fundraising, what we really mean is prioritizing activities that put you in conversation with supporters—current or potential—and inviting them to deepen their relationship with the organization.
That’s the work that moves the needle.
And yes, that might mean reevaluating or pausing other activities to make room for the ones that truly matter.
Your fundraising program becomes stronger the moment you decide to give it the space, focus, and priority it deserves.
Ready to focus on what will bring you fundraising results? Click the link below to set up a call.
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