7 Steps to Creating an Effective Fundraising Plan

2026 New Year, New Strategy!

By Ruston Pierce

As Christian nonprofits, schools, and churches think about 2026, fundraising success will depend less on isolated campaigns and more on clear strategy, disciplined execution, and strong donor relationships. Put bluntly, relationships will be higher priority than events.  Because of economic uncertainty, donor fatigue, and evolving donor expectations organizations must be more intentional than ever.  Nationally, retention of current givers has proven to be very lucrative compared to finding new givers.  An effective fundraising strategy for 2026 is not simply a calendar of events—it is a coordinated plan that aligns mission, leadership, data, and communication to drive sustainable giving.

1. Start With Mission and Vision Alignment

Most people do not want to support a person or place.  They want to support your purpose.  Donors give most generously when they understand how their gift advances a clear and compelling mission.  

Before setting goals or tactics, ensure your fundraising strategy is clearly anchored to:

• Your mission: Why your organization exists
• Your vision: What success looks like in 3–5 years
• Your strategic priorities for 2026: Programs, growth, capital needs, or sustainability goals

Ask your leadership two very powerful questions:
1. If we ceased to exist today what would be missing in our community? 2. What impact will increased funding make possible in 2026 that would not happen otherwise?

2. Set Clear, Achievable Financial Goals

Once priorities are defined, translate them into specific, attainable financial goals. Effective fundraising strategies include:

• An overall annual fundraising goal
• Breakdowns by revenue stream, such as:
  • Major gifts
  • Annual giving
  • Foundations and grants
  • Events
  • Corporate support
  • Planned or legacy gifts
  • Endowment

For 2026, goals should be:

• Data-informed (based on past performance)
• Ambitious but realistic
• Owned by staff and leadership

Avoid the trap of “hope-based budgeting.” Assume a smaller budget to make sure you achieve it.  A strong strategy assigns responsibility and timelines to every dollar you expect to raise.  Accountability to executing relationship building will ensure you achieve your goals.

3. Prioritize Donor Retention Before Donor Acquisition

Many organizations focus heavily on finding new donors while neglecting the donors they already have. Retaining and upgrading existing donors is far more cost-effective and a lot less difficult.  Nationally, giving trends have shown that it is very difficult to cultivate new donors.  However, giving trends for existing donors have shown increases in annual giving.  Make a priority to grow your existing relationships.

Your 2026 strategy should include:

• A plan to personally thank every donor, preferably more than once per year
• Intentional touchpoints beyond asking (consistent updates are important)
• Clear pathways for donors to increase their involvement or giving

Follow a simple rule: Retention first. Growth second.

4. Build a Major Gift Strategy

Major gifts will continue to account for most philanthropic dollars in 2026. Your school should decide what a “major gift” is.  Every school’s answer to that question will be different, but it’s important to define what you consider a major gift.  Once you know what “major” is, then you can effectively create a plan.  An effective fundraising strategy must include a clear major gift plan.

Your major gift plan should include:

• Identifying your top 20–50 donors and/or prospects
• Assigning relationship managers to cultivate relationships (staff and/or board)
• Creating a custom communication plan for each donor
• Build the relationship while documenting consistent touchpoints

Major gift fundraising is about listening, aligning interests, and inviting donors into meaningful partnership, not just making asks.  Show the donor how they fit into the future growth of your organization and how their gift will make a meaningful impact.

5. Clarify the Role of Leadership and the Board

Fundraising strategies fail most often because roles are unclear.

Define expectations for:

• Executive leadership: Vision casting, donor relationships, accountability
• Development staff: Strategy execution, systems, communication
• Board members: Advocacy, introductions, credibility, and participation

Boards do not need to “do everything,” but they must actively support and champion the mission. It’s a good idea to create a document showing every person involved what their role is.  This can keep people focused on how they most effectively help and avoid people stepping out of their lane.

6. Create a Year-Round Communication Plan

Donors should hear from your organization consistently—not only when you need money.

An effective 2026 fundraising strategy includes:

• A 12-month donor communication calendar
• Impact stories tied directly to giving
• Clear, consistent messaging across email, print, and digital channels
• Regular reporting on outcomes, not just activities

When donors feel informed and valued, giving becomes a natural response.  It is much easier to ask for support from people who see themselves in the mission of your organization.

7. Plan for Flexibility and Resilience

Economic conditions, leadership changes, or unexpected opportunities can disrupt even the best plans. A strong fundraising strategy builds in:

• Conservative baseline financial projections
• Stretch giving goals
• Contingency plans for underperformance
• Regular strategy reviews 

Flexibility is not a weakness, it is a sign of strategic maturity.

Creating an effective fundraising strategy for 2026 requires clarity, discipline, and alignment. When mission drives strategy, goals are realistic, leadership is engaged, and donors are valued as part of your mission, you get the outcome of sustainable fundraising.  A strong strategy does not guarantee ease.  It does create confidence, momentum, and long-term impact.

Don’t allow this process to overwhelm you or your staff.  Good planning takes time but can also be done efficiently without using too much time.  If you would like help assessing or refining your fundraising strategy for 2026, Fortify Foundation can help.  Please contact us to learn how we can help you execute this process well.  

Attention Fortify Partners

Remember to check out our robust donor cultivation plan in the partner portal to further assist you in building your 2026 Fundraising plan!