Key Principles for a Strong Start to the New Year

Donor Development: Key Principles for a Strong Start to the New Year

The start of a new year presents a unique opportunity to refocus, realign, and set a strong foundation for success. For our Advancement Department, the past two days have been a time of intentional planning, reflection, and team-building—all with the goal of setting the stage for an impactful 2025. Here are four key principles we’ve embraced, and how you can apply them to your organization’s donor development strategy.

1. Start Every New Year with a Plan

A strong plan provides clarity and direction. Before diving into specific activities, we began our retreat with a training session to set the tone for the year. This was followed by dedicated prayer, seeking God’s wisdom for our efforts. Reflecting on the successes of the past year helped us recognize what worked well and where improvements are needed.

Starting the year with a comprehensive plan allows you to:

• Evaluate past efforts and identify key lessons learned.

• Set the tone for your team’s focus and priorities.

• Build a roadmap that aligns with your organization’s mission.

The importance of planning cannot be overstated. As Stephen Covey emphasizes in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, “Begin with the end in mind.” This principle encourages leaders to create a clear vision of success and reverse-engineer the steps to achieve it.

2. Make Sure Your Team Knows Their Value

Teamwork is at the heart of successful donor development. During our retreat, we dedicated time to team-building using the Maxwell Leadership Game. This exercise provided two hours of intentional focus on the unique gifts and contributions of each team member. The result? People felt encouraged, valued, and reminded of the critical role they play in achieving our goals.

Acknowledging your team’s value not only boosts morale but also fosters a sense of ownership. According to Gallup’s research on employee engagement, teams that feel appreciated and aligned with their purpose are significantly more productive and effective.

3. Set Goals That Challenge but Stay Focused

One of the most exciting outcomes of our retreat was establishing a single annual fundraising goal. This marks a pivotal moment for our organization, providing clarity and focus for the year ahead. By clearly defining our needs and saying “no” to distractions, we’ve created a roadmap that’s both ambitious and achievable.

When setting goals, consider these best practices:

• Big Goals with Focus: Define one or two major goals that challenge your team while remaining realistic.

• Small Supporting Goals: Set smaller, actionable objectives that support the larger mission.

• Accountability: Use these goals to hold your team accountable and track progress throughout the year.

Research from Harvard Business Review highlights the importance of goal clarity, showing that specific and challenging goals lead to higher performance than vague or easy objectives.

4. Leave with a Plan

Planning isn’t complete until everyone on your team knows their role and how their efforts contribute to the larger vision. Starting next week, our team members will submit weekly updates on their personal goals, all designed to support the overarching fundraising goal. This level of accountability ensures we stay focused and avoid mission drift.

A solid exit strategy from planning sessions includes:

• Clear Assignments: Ensure every team member understands their responsibilities.

• Regular Check-ins: Schedule consistent updates to maintain momentum.

• Flexibility: Be prepared to adapt your plan as new challenges or opportunities arise.

The Call to Action

As you start your year, consider how these principles can guide your donor development efforts. Begin with a plan rooted in reflection and prayer. Take time to invest in your team, helping them understand their value and contributions. Set focused goals that inspire and challenge, and ensure everyone leaves with a clear action plan.

Finally, commit to consistent accountability. Regularly revisit your goals to stay on track and maintain alignment with your mission. This focused approach will position your organization for success and strengthen your ability to engage donors effectively.

Let’s make 2025 a year of purpose, impact, and growth—together.

Sources:

• Covey, Stephen R. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Simon & Schuster, 1989.

• Gallup. “State of the American Workplace.” Gallup, 2017.

• Harvard Business Review. “Goals That Motivate Exceptional Performance.” HBR.org, 2010.