Planning your next fundraiser while this one's fresh
Follow these steps to capture information and prepare for next time.
You did it! You wrapped up a fundraiser and made a real impact for your team and community. Before the excitement fades (and memories get fuzzy), you can capture what you learned and start laying the groundwork for your next fundraiser.
You don't need to plan everything today. Let's just set you and your team up for even more success next time.
Here's how:
1. Take 10 minutes to reflect.
Right after a fundraiser ends, set aside a few minutes to jot down a few notes for yourself.
Questions to ask:
- What worked really well this time?
- What was harder than expected?
- Which promotional tactics (texts, social posts, word of mouth) got the best response?
- Were there any common questions or confusion points from families or supporters?
- What would you do differently next time?
Pro Tip: Even 5-6 bullet points will be incredibly valuable when you start your next fundraiser.
2. Save your best materials.
Don't reinvent the wheel later — save anything that worked well.
Start with:
- Social media post templates
- Text message drafts
- Fundraiser landing page screenshots
- Photos from your team or supporter shoutouts
Store everything in an easily accessible "Fundraiser Toolkit" folder.
3. Capture supporter lists (respectfully).
If supporters opted in to be contacted, save that list. They're your warm audience for the future! Your list can be as easy as noting their contact info in a document. And you can plan to send a future thank you note or invitation when you launch again.
Important: Only keep information you gathered with consent!
4. Set a rough timeline for next time.
You don't have to commit to a date today, but think about when your group might want or need to fundraise again.
- Is there a big tournament, travel need, or season start you'll want to support?
- Would you benefit from a fundraiser during the off-season to spread out asks?
Even marking a rough month on your calendar can make future planning much easier.
5. Celebrate and rest (then reboot).
Celebrate your success before jumping right into the next thing. Your team earned it — and so did you!
Once you're ready, you'll already have everything you need to hit the ground running for an even better next fundraiser.
Reflect now, save time later.
Capture your insights, organize your materials, and sketch a rough plan, then enjoy knowing your next fundraiser will be easier, smarter, and even more successful.
You've already built momentum — keep it going!