New Year’s Resolutions for Nonprofits — and Tips to Make Them Work

There’s something about the new year that’s inspiring. It’s a time to get a fresh start, learn new skills, and improve on what you already know. Here are some ideas for nonprofit New Year’s resolutions to make this year a success — and links to advice on how to achieve these goals in 2025.

Donors Big and Small — and How to Keep Them

I want to ...

• attract more big donations.
• expand the number of small-dollar donors who give to us. (Here are more tips.)
• do a better job of hanging on to donors — including those who give spontaneously.
• get our board more involved in raising money
• hold more fundraising events — but we’re on a tight budget

Data and Reporting

I want to ...

• do a better job of collecting data to show what we’re accomplishing.

Donor-Advised Funds and Planned Gifts

I want to ...

• raise more money from donor-advised funds.
• know more about people who give to us through donor-advised funds — especially when the gifts seem anonymous. (Here are more tips.)
• find a way to get more from bequests and other planned gifts.

Grant Seeking

I want to ...

• raise more money for general operating support.
• do a better job of writing grant proposals — including the budget section.
• get more grants from community foundations.

Leadership

I want to ...

• do a better job of managing my leadership role. (Here are more tips from other leaders.)
• improve my ability to lead through difficult times.

Work and Careers

I want to ...

• find a new nonprofit job.
• attract more good talent to join our staff.
• hire a consultant, but I don’t know where to start.