Initiating the Board Fundraising Planning Process

Purpose of Fundraising Planning

Fundraising planning is not about writing a perfect document.
It is not about assigning people tasks.
It is not about asking for money yet.

Fundraising planning exists for one reason:

To bring the board into ownership of how the organization will raise money.

People who plan together execute together.
If the board helps shape the plan, they are far more likely to support it.

When to Initiate Fundraising Planning

You initiate fundraising planning immediately after board alignment.

Do not wait for:

• perfect clarity
• full engagement
• ideal conditions

Alignment gives you permission.
Planning gives you momentum.

Your Role in This Step

• Your role is not to convince.
• Your role is not to pressure.
• Your role is to invite participation and capture wisdom.

This step works because board members decide how they want to engage.

Step-By-Step Process

Step 1: Prepare the Fundraising Planning Email
You will send a single, clear email to every board member.

The tone matters:

• calm
• direct
• respectful
• non-confrontational

Do not over-explain.
Do not apologize.

Use the email script provided.

 
Step 2: Attach the Fundraising Planning Form
The email must include a link to the Fundraising Planning Form.

This form is the engine of the process.

It allows board members to:

• share fundraising ideas
• identify ideal funding audiences
• suggest where to find funders
• outline how to attract funders
• propose step-by-step fundraising approaches
• choose how they want to support fundraising
• indicate willingness to support execution financially

This is how you turn passive board members into contributors without pressure.

 
Step 3: Position the Form Correctly
Board members are not being tested.
They are being invited to contribute.

• The form communicates:
  “We need your ideas.”
• “We value your experience.”
• “We are building this together.”

This matters.

 
Step 4: Give Board Members Time and Space
Once the email is sent:

• Do not chase immediately
• Do not explain the form individually
• Do not reinterpret questions for people unless asked

Give board members time to think.

Planning is reflective.
Reflection leads to ownership.

 
Step 5: Complete the Form Yourself
This is critical.

You must also fill out the Fundraising Planning Form.

Why?

You are part of the board ecosystem
Your perspective matters
Your commitment sets the tone
Your financial contribution models leadership

Do not exempt yourself.

 
Step 6: Review and Consolidate Responses
Once responses are received:

• Read everything carefully
• Look for patterns and overlap
• Identify recurring ideas
• Note gaps in skills, execution, or capacity

Your goal is not to select “good” ideas.
Your goal is to build one coherent plan.

 
Step 7: Use the Fundraising Planning Manual
Use the Fundraising Planning Manual provided to:

• organize ideas
• refine strategy
• ensure all fundraising components are covered
• align ideas with realistic execution

Use the AI instructions provided to:

• strengthen language
• clarify steps
• pressure-test assumptions
• improve feasibility

This is where clarity is formed.

 
Step 8: Draft the Consolidated Fundraising Plan
The final plan should clearly show:

• how much the organization aims to raise
• who the ideal funding audiences are
• where they can be found
• how they will be attracted
• how money will be raised step by step
• what materials are needed
• who is responsible for what
• what budget is required to execute

This plan does not need to be perfect.
It needs to be understandable and executable.

 
Step 9: Send the Follow-Up Email
Once the plan is drafted, send the follow-up email provided.

This email should:

• thank board members for contributing
• share the consolidated plan
• invite them to a fundraising execution planning session
• position the session as a decision-making meeting

This is where planning becomes commitment.

Important Guidelines

• Do not rewrite board ideas to make them sound smarter
• Do not dismiss ideas too quickly
• Do not add complexity
• Do not rush this step

The strength of this process is participation.

What This Step Achieves

By the end of the fundraising planning step:

• The board sees fundraising as a shared responsibility
• Ideas are visible and valued
• Engagement levels are revealed naturally
• A board-owned plan exists
• Momentum is created
• This is the bridge between alignment and execution.

Once this step is complete, you are ready to facilitate the Fundraising Execution Planning Session.

That’s where ideas turn into action.