A Common (and Annoying) Mistake I See in Fundraising
One of the most frustrating patterns I’ve witnessed in my years working with nonprofits happens during conversations about fundraising goals. When teams start discussing how much to raise for the next season or year, people throw out numbers like they’re contestants on The Price Is Right. Sometimes they base it on last year’s results. Sometimes on what feels “realistic.” And sometimes they simply name the number needed to cover all expenses.
Only one of these approaches is even close to the right path.
The Problem with Guessing
Yes, it’s important to consider what you’ve accomplished recently—but that alone isn’t good enough. A much sounder method is to break down the reliable sources of funding you actually expect to secure.
What counts as reliable? Think commitments already made, donors with a track record of consistent support, or fundraising events that have proven year after year to raise a certain amount.
You might be thinking: “If I only set goals based on past performance, how will I ever grow my budget?”
Fair question. You can account for new donors—but you need a method for explaining your projection.
Here’s One Approach
Let’s say you want to raise an additional $100,000 from new donors. You decide to focus on mid-level donors who give around $10,000 annually. Based on your previous fundraising efforts, you know you’re successful about 20% of the time with appeals at this level.
So to secure 10 new donors, you’ll need 50 solid prospects you’re actively cultivating.
But… if you don’t have 50 new prospects—or anything close to that—you’re probably not in a position to project $100,000 in new revenue. Similarly, if you don’t have a sense of your success rate with potential donors, you probably aren’t ready to make a projection at all.
And that’s okay. We all have to start somewhere.
But it is a mistake to stick ambitious goals on the wall without understanding where the money could come from. That leads to frustration and disappointment among your team and board—which can have more harmful ripple effects.
The Better Path Forward
Organizations looking to break out of the blind goal-setting pattern should use whatever fundraising data they have to set goals that are both realistic and ambitious.
Yes, fundraising requires a bit of magic to see success. But every great magician will tell you what’s behind every trick: science.
Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Fund - offers competitive grant programs to reflect community needs and the foundation’s strategic initiatives - Feb. 14, 2026
The Roblee Foundation - funding requests in race, ethnicity, and gender equity. - Feb 17, 2026
The Ben & Jerry’s Foundation Social Justice Organizing Grant Program supports grassroots organizations with budgets less than $350K - Feb 17, 2025
Frank Hadley & Cornelia Ginn Foundation - education programs that support academic success, social-emotional growth. - Mar 1, 2026
Grants to Address Mental Health in Criminal Justice System - Sydney R. Baer Jr. Foundation provides grants in this area to nonprofit organizations. - Mar 1, 2026
Philadelphia Area Racial Equity Grants - Offered by the Nelson Foundation. - Mar 1, 2026
J.M. Kaplan Fund - Grants to nonfiction writers in the arts, history, and the environment via the Furthermore initiative. - March 1, 2026
Meyer Memorial Trust - Addressing Trauma and Healing for Black Communities in Oregon / Justice Oregon for Black Lives - March 3, 2026
Montclair Fund for Women’s grant awards - Supporting education and social justice and focusing on women of color. - Mar 6, 2026.
T Mobile Hometown Grant - Get up to $50,000 to bring your community project idea to life. - March 31, 2026
Professional Excellence Grants - center student success, reinforce systems that recognize, value, and support a quality, professional educator workforce - March 31, 2026.
Trust for Civic Life - Civic Hub Grant - grants provide flexible funding for local groups in our priority regions- July 2026
Leadership Fellows at The Trust - rolling deadline
Harvard Health Coverage Fellowship - rolling deadline
Seeding Disruption Fellowship - rolling deadline
Google Creative Fellowship - March 9th, 2026
ACLS Leading Edge Fellowships - March 11th, 2026
Creating Pathways to the Gaming Industry for Youth
Damon Packwood from GameHeads discusses leveraging the gaming industry as a pathway out of poverty for youth. He shares how his organization grew through strategic partnerships and community commitment, bridging the gap between tech and underrepresented youth in Oakland. Explore grassroots activism, nonprofit leadership, and how GameHeads is shaping the future of the gaming industry while empowering the next generation of tech leaders.
Subscribe and Listen Now on Your Favorite Streaming Platform: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube |