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It’s January, the season of fresh starts, new plans, and renewed motivation. For fundraising groups, it’s also the ideal moment to set a clear, focused goal for the year ahead. A vague target, such as "raise more money," doesn't yield the best results. What does work is a specific, actionable plan. Here’s how to build a strategy that sets your group up for success.

Step 1: Define Your “Why”

A concrete, tangible objective is far more motivating for members than a general statement. Instead of saying, “We need funds for the school,” pinpoint the specific need:

• New jerseys for the team
• A new smartboard for the classroom
• A bus for the band trip

Once your purpose is defined, calculate the full cost. If the band trip bus rental will cost $3,500 and you need the funds raised in a year, that number becomes your official fundraising target. A clear “why” gives supporters something meaningful to rally behind.

Step 2: Do the “FundScrip Math”

Once your target is set, it’s time to break it down into manageable, realistic pieces. FundScrip’s donations calculator makes this easy.

For example, let’s say you need $3,500 and your group averages a 3% contribution. That means:

$3,500 ÷ 0.03 = $116,667 in total supporter spending for the year

$116,667 ÷ 52 weeks = $2,244 in weekly spending

Weekly spending goals are very attainable when purchasing gift cards for everyday essentials like groceries and gas. Put simply: “If just 10 families buy their weekly groceries using gift cards from FundScrip, we can hit our goal!” When supporters see how easy it is, participation naturally increases.

Step 3: Create a Communication Plan

Communication keeps supporters engaged, informed, and motivated throughout the year.

Start by encouraging supporters to sign up for email newsletters and weekly order reminders from FundScrip. You can also schedule your own monthly emails. Frequent, friendly outreach helps keep FundScrip top-of-mind.

Most importantly, reiterate the “why” in every message. These small reminders carry big motivational power:

• “Every gas gift card gets us closer to the new playground.”
• “Each grocery card brings us one step closer to new team uniforms.”

Supporters stay engaged when they feel connected to the purpose.

Next, make the most of your FundScrip Campaign page by adding a tracking widget that displays your progress, making it easy for supporters to see their impact and celebrate milestones.

Step 4: Track, Thank, and Re-Engage

Your FundScrip admin dashboard gives you the tools to track participation, see who’s actively ordering, and identify those who may need a gentle nudge.

Use this information to:

• Send a special thank-you note to your top supporters.
• Reach out to registered members who haven’t placed their first order yet. A friendly “how-to” guide often removes the final barrier.
• Celebrate milestones: “We’re 50% there!” or “We just passed $1,000 raised!”

These small touches foster momentum and build lasting connections with fundraising supporters.

A clear purpose, simple math, and consistent communication are the keys to building a strong, successful fundraising plan for 2026. Set your fundraising goal and send your first “New Year” email to your group. This is the year your group turns everyday purchases into meaningful results.