Is your fundraising foundation ready for what comes next?
A practical conversation guide from Mission Arc
Before adding another fundraising activity, take a closer look at the practices supporting the work you already do. Use these questions with your leadership or development team to identify where you have clarity—and where you need a better answer.
For each statement, note In place, Needs attention, or Not sure. This is a discussion guide, not a scored assessment. You do not need to enter or submit donor information.
Mission & Case
- We can explain our mission and the need we address in clear, specific language.
- We have identified the funding priorities that matter most right now.
- Our case for support explains what a contribution makes possible.
- We can support our impact statements with accurate information and appropriate stories.
Discuss: Where might a prospective supporter need more clarity?
Revenue Strategy
- We know which revenue sources support our work and where we depend heavily on one source.
- We have documented fundraising goals and the activities intended to support them.
- We consider staff time and direct costs when reviewing fundraising activities.
- Our fundraising calendar reflects the capacity of the people responsible for it.
Discuss: Which activity deserves more attention, a different approach, or a closer review?
Donor Pipeline
- We can identify current, new, recurring, and lapsed supporters using the information we maintain.
- Important donor relationships have a designated owner and a next step.
- We make time for conversations and engagement between requests for gifts.
- We have a process for following up after a first gift and staying connected over time.
Discuss: Where are relationships most likely to lose momentum?
Donor Communications
- Our messages make the purpose of support clear.
- Donors receive accurate and meaningful information about the work they support.
- We have a manageable rhythm for communication beyond solicitations.
- Acknowledgment and stewardship responsibilities are clear.
Discuss: What does a donor hear from us when we are not asking for money?
Systems & Capacity
- Staff, leadership, and board fundraising responsibilities are understood.
- Donor records and relationship notes are kept in an agreed place with appropriate access.
- Essential fundraising processes are documented so they can be repeated.
- We have clear expectations for how technology and AI may be used with organizational information.
Discuss: Which part of the process depends too heavily on one person or an informal habit?
Choose one next step.
Review the items marked “Needs attention” and “Not sure.” Select one issue that matters to your goals and is realistic to address now.
| Our priority What needs attention? | |
|---|---|
| Why it matters What does this issue affect? | |
| Our next action What can we do first? | |
| Owner Who will move the action forward? | |
| Review date When will we check progress? |
You do not need to solve every issue at once. A clear next action, an owner, and a review date can turn a useful conversation into practical progress.
Want an independent review? The Mission Arc Fundraising Readiness Assessment includes materials review, a leadership interview, a five-pillar scorecard, written findings, and a prioritized 90-day road map.