Ten Fundraising Practices That Set the Year Up for Success
January 16, 2026
January is a moment of advantage.
The most effective fundraising organizations use the start of the year to deepen relationships, clarify priorities and set a confident pace for the months ahead. January is when stewardship becomes strategy and momentum is either gained or lost.
Here are ten fundraising practices that consistently distinguish proactive years from reactive ones.
- Lead with personal gratitude.
Begin the year with prompt, personal thanks to key donors. Calls, notes and brief videos reinforce trust and signal that generosity matters beyond the transaction. - Close the impact loop early.
Follow year-end gifts with concise updates that show immediate and future impact. Early reinforcement builds donor confidence and readiness for continued engagement. - Review and prioritize donor portfolios.
Review top relationships and assign clear next moves. January is the time to reduce clutter, sharpen focus and ensure every key donor has a plan. - Advance open commitments.
Clarify next steps on pledges, proposals and multi-year conversations. Momentum follows decisions, not intentions. - Align fundraising priorities with the strategic plan.
Reconnect leaders, board members and staff to the philanthropic priorities that matter most this year. Alignment early prevents drift later. - Set first-quarter fundraising pace.
Define realistic Q1 goals by revenue stream and align staffing and outreach accordingly. Early clarity reduces pressure later in the year. - Equip board members for meaningful engagement.
Provide concise talking points and a focused outreach list. January is when boards learn whether they are expected to lead or simply attend. - Evaluate year-end performance quickly and honestly.
Capture lessons while they are fresh. Focus on relationships strengthened, messages that resonated and systems that need improvement. - Schedule stewardship and visits now.
Block time for donor touchpoints and visits while calendars are open. Early scheduling signals intention and professionalism. - Model calm, confident fundraising leadership.
Staff and donors respond to tone. A steady, forward-looking approach builds trust and sets the rhythm for the year.
Strong fundraising years do not begin with urgency. They begin with clarity, discipline and gratitude. Organizations that lead January well rarely spend the rest of the year catching up.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Karen Baldwin
Dr. Karen Meshad Baldwin has 27 years of experience in all aspects of fundraising. She was previously vice president for advancement at The University of Alabama, where she led the development division, which included major giving, planned giving, corporate and foundation giving, the annual fund, alumni relations, integrated marketing and communications, and advancement services.
As a member of UA’s President’s Executive Council, Karen was a trusted advisor to senior leadership on issues with significant and far-reaching institutional implications, managed a budget of over $8 million and led a division with more than 130 employees. Prior to that, Karen served as the university’s associate vice president for advancement for four years and director of external affairs and development for the UA College of Engineering for 10 years.
Before joining The University of Alabama, Karen spent 13 years with BellSouth Advertising & Publishing Corporation, where she was responsible for new product development, strategic planning, mergers and acquisitions, process innovation and marketing. During her time at BellSouth, Karen was twice selected to the President’s Club – the top 3% of the corporation’s 3,000 employees, and she was selected three times to the Prism Club – the top 25% of the corporation’s sales and marketing managers.
Karen has served as president and district governor of the Rotary Club of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and chair of Leadership Tuscaloosa. She also served as president of the Birmingham, Alabama, chapter of the American Marketing Association. In Athens, Georgia, Karen served on the Georgia Women of Achievement board of trustees and as an officer with the University Woman’s Club.
Currently, Karen serves on the board and is an active member of the Rotary Club of Athens and serves on the board of the St. Mary’s Hospital Foundation. She is also involved with many other charitable organizations.
Karen holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in American studies and a doctorate in higher education administration from The University of Alabama.
