Why Fundraising Data Matters

Having the basic data and making data-driven decisions about your fundraising plan is critical. Network for Good is a reputable non-profit consulting firm and they offered a free template for a fundraising plan. So I downloaded it.

I was surprised at how simple it was. Just sources of income (individuals, businesses, foundations, etc.) compared over the last year, current year, and next year. It then had a simple chart of #'s of donors, lapsed donors, new donors over the same periods of time. Nothing special at all.

GO AND FIND THE DATA AND KNOW WHAT IT'S TELLING YOU.

Which reminded me - just having the basic data and making data-driven decisions about your fundraising plan is critical.

You don't need to just try harder, or hope things are okay, or relax because you feel like funding is solid. Go and find the data and know what it's telling you. It doesn't have to be complex and highly analytical. It can be very basic. In fact, it should be. But just knowing how your funding sources are performing over time and how your overall network is looking over time is a huge success! 

Kiley Hawkins, Co-Founder