25 things you can do to prepare your nonprofit for a GREAT 2026

Whatever the end of your year looks like, I encourage you to set aside some time to do some prep work and set yourself up for success in 2025. Here are 25 ideas, tasks and forward-thinking considerations. Let’s go!

A) LEADERSHIP

1.        Schedule monthly or quarterly board meetings with your Board (provide them well-advanced scheduling and planning time)

2.        Schedule one-two Board Workshops (based on your SWOT analysis; have your nonprofit consultant customize workshop(s) around your greatest needs/opportunities)

3.        Assess your staff and closely examine if you have the right talent to accomplish annual goals, objectives, milestones  

4.        Assess your base of volunteers and closely examine if you have the right committees to accomplish annual goals, objectives, milestones  

5.        Schedule advance/professional training for the organization's CEO/Executive Director in a value-added area of Development; approach your Board Chair to help make this training a budget neutral exercise  

Genius Point: Schedule a 1/2 day or full day workshop with a subject matter expert on the Clemons-Associates team. Popular topics include BOARD TRAINING, pre-CAMPAIGN PLANNING, DONOR RETENTION and EXPANSION, STEWARDSHIP PLANS.

B) ORGANIZATION and CLEAN UP

1.        Unsubscribe from emails you don’t need to get anymore

2.        Delete files you don’t need on your hard drive

3.        Review your workflows and other processes to see what works and what doesn’t

4.        Organize, archive the photos and stories you collected in 2025

5.        Clean off your desk/straighten your office

C) DIGITAL ASSETS and MEDIA

1.        Go to your website; complete an audit and update a) your profile; b) accomplishments; c) testimonials; d) donor features; e) ways to contribute by an old or new donor

2.        Check your email automations (welcome series, thank you responses, re-engagement campaigns, etc.)

3.        Check your e-newsletters, other communication tactics for market best practices

4.        Consider the digital marketplace for a new FEATURED DONOR platform (showcase your top difference makers)

5.        Check CEO relative to your digital assets; add key words and remove bad ones

D) CREATIVITY and BRAIN STORMING

1.        Do a brain dump

2.        Plan an internal and external focus group surrounding your key program

3.        Perform SWOT analysis with your Board and Staff

4. Look back and write down your big wins of 2025

5. Brainstorm KPIs for 2026 for excellent tracking of progress against relative goals

E) BOARD

1.        Assess your Board and its Members of Gift contributions

2.        Assess your Board and its Members for attendance and thought leadership

3.        Plan a fun but strategic exercise in a 2026 Board Meeting whereby Members must convey an elevator speech or human impact testimonial story

4.        Consider 'retiring' (rolling off) those Members who have grown apathetic or complacent in simple contributions

5.        Schedule one-on-one meetings with each Board Member to express your gratitude and sincere appreciation for their time, talent and service

Setting goals before the New Year is crucial because it provides direction, boosts motivation, and creates a roadmap for both personal and organizational growth. Preparation turns vague hopes into actionable plans by focusing efforts, detailing plans and establishing KPIs for a more purposeful year. It leverages the "blank slate" feeling of a new year to build self-efficacy and design a life aligned with your true values, rather than drifting aimlessly. 

The Clemons-Associates team has a host of talented members. Heck, our team members helped design the plan, write the copy, develop the impact stories, and build the graphics for the state of Oklahoma's first successful ONE BILLION dollar campaign (kudos to visionary Burn Hargis!)

If you are considering a major gift campaign, workshop, Board Training session or just a friendly consultation visit in 2026, the Clemons-Associates team is here to serve you.

Pictured: Craig Clemons with his close friend; the late Philanthropist and President/Founder/Board Chairman of Express Employment Professionals, Bob Funk, Sr.

Seeking expert assistance from seasoned professionals?

Contact Craig Clemons at craig@clemons-associates.com or one of our rock star associates for more details. Clemons & Associates is on standby to help you with brand identity, strategic messaging, campaigns, digital assets and programs/projects. See more blog articles at clemons-associates.com.