Fund Development
Plan Template

Build a focused, funded future for your nonprofit. Move through each tab at your own pace.

Why This Plan, Why Now

Most nonprofit leaders know they need a fund development plan. But once they sit down to create one, they realize: it's hard to build a funding plan without clear priorities and realistic numbers.

A fund development plan is the bridge between your strategic goals and the funding required to support them. When priorities, budget, and fundraising are aligned, decisions become easier and fundraising becomes more focused.

Before You Begin — Three Honest Questions

1. Do I know the true cost of each priority in our strategic plan?
2. Is our fundraising goal based on real numbers or best guesses?
3. If one major grant doesn't come through, do we know what pauses?

If any of these feel unclear — you're not alone. Most organizations begin here. Move through each tab at your own pace. Let the template surface what still needs clarity.

Your Organization

Organization Name

Fiscal Year

Lead Planner / ED Name

Date Completed

Top Fundraising Priority This Year (1–2 sentences)

Fund Development Clarity Scorecard™

Rate each statement. Your score calculates automatically and maps to a recommended next step on the Results tab.

Scorecard

Category	Statement	Your Response
Strategic Alignment
Strategic Alignment	Our strategic priorities are clearly defined.
Strategic Alignment	Each priority has a realistic cost attached.
Strategic Alignment	Our program goals match our current capacity.
Financial Clarity
Financial Clarity	Our revenue goals are based on real numbers, not guesses.
Financial Clarity	Our expenses reflect true operating costs, including leadership time.
Financial Clarity	We know our minimum survival number for the year.
Fundraising Structure
Fundraising Structure	Each revenue stream has a realistic timeline.
Fundraising Structure	Each revenue source connects to specific program costs.
Fundraising Structure	We know what moves forward if funding comes in.
Fundraising Structure	We know what pauses if a major grant falls through.
Fundraising Structure	We know what pauses if a major grant falls through.

Your Score

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/ 24

Complete the scorecard above

Rate all statements to see your clarity level and recommended next step.

Your Clarity Results

Find where your score lands. Each tier comes with a recommended next step.

Score Tiers

🟢 Score 20–24: Strong Alignment

Your strategy, budget, and fundraising are well connected. You're ready to build a detailed plan. Move through the tabs ahead with confidence.

🟡 Score 14–19: Partial Clarity

You have a solid foundation but there are gaps, especially around financial numbers or revenue timelines. The Fund Development Planning Workshop will help you close those gaps and leave with a complete, aligned plan.

🟠 Score 8–13: Structural Gaps

You have pieces of a plan, but strategy, numbers, and fundraising aren't fully connected yet. A Guided Planning Intensive is your clearest next step.

🔴 Score 0–7: Foundational Clarity Needed

This isn't a reflection of your commitment — it's a sign that the foundational work (priorities, real costs, capacity) needs to happen before the plan will hold. The Fund Development Planning Workshop starts exactly here, building from your reality up.

Your Score & Reflections

Your Total Score

Your Tier

Key gaps to address

What I want to focus on first

Ready to build your plan with expert guidance? Join the Fund Development Planning Workshop

kalyani-consulting.com/fund-development-planning-workshop → Join the Waitlist Check Out Our Fund Development Planning Workshop →

List Your Funding Sources

This is your raw data — an honest look at last year. Use it to decide what to keep, grow, or let go. You'll set goals in the next tab.

Grants

Funder / Source	Amount Raised	Key Insight or Next Step
		Misalignment between project objectives and org goals creates tracking complexity. Require alignment before approving new grants.
		Lack of spending reminders led to delayed grant expenditures. Implement a Real-Cost Budgeting Practice.
		Project plan shifted during implementation but grant writer was not informed. Create a repeatable workflow for budget or scope changes.
		Applied following an invitation, but priorities indicated we may not have been established enough. Install a Stage Fit Filter before applying to aspirational grants.
Total Grants	$156,000

Individual Donors — Quick Summary

Total Raised Last Year

Number of Donors

Donors Last Year

Returning Donors This Year

Donor Retention Rate

What worked best?

What to do differently?

Other Revenue (Sponsorships, Events, Campaigns)

Revenue Stream	Amount Raised	Key Insight
		Start sponsor outreach in January; create event timeline; recruit volunteers early. ($52K gross / $34K net)
		Prepare impact stories by October; schedule email sequence ahead of time; segment donors.
Total Other Revenue	$62,500

Grants $156,000

Individual Donors $72,000

Other Revenue $62,500

Total Revenue $290,500

Your Fund Development Plan

For each revenue stream, set your goal, list 2–3 action steps, and check the quarter you'll tackle it. Start with your top 2–3 priorities.

Grants

Strategic Priority / Goal	Action Steps	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4
Revenue Goal:
Build a simple, reliable system for capturing data every month so reporting becomes predictable and stress-free.	Identify all metrics needed for grants (outputs, outcomes, attendance, financials).
	Create one shared spreadsheet or dashboard.
	Assign a staff member to update data monthly and add reminders to the calendar.
Stay ahead of deadlines and ensure renewals are strong, complete, and submitted early.	Submit renewal applications for Greenwell Trust & Erickson Family Foundation by their deadlines.
	Send stewardship updates to funders before and after submission.

Individual Donors

Strategic Priority / Goal	Action Steps	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4
Revenue Goal:
Increase donor retention from 66% to 72% by December by strengthening stewardship through personalized communications.	Develop a quarterly stewardship calendar (Q1–Q4).
	Record personalized thank-you videos for all donors who give $100+.
	Send impact updates to donors 4 times a year.
	Ensure all donors receive a thank-you email within 48 hours of giving.

Other Revenue (Events, Campaigns)

Grants Goal $160,000

Donors Goal $72,000

Other Revenue Goal —

Total Goal $232,000

Annual Fund Development Calendar

Your high-level fundraising rhythm across all four quarters. Add your own notes and activities in each card.

Q1 · Jan – Mar

Planning, Grant Renewals, Donor Segmentation

Q2 · Apr – Jun

Sponsorship Outreach, Mid-Year Review

Q3 · Jul – Sep

Event Prep, Major Donor Cultivation

Q4 · Oct – Dec

Year-End Giving, EOY Campaign & Reporting

Annual Goal Summary

Annual Fundraising Goal

Top Priority This Year

Biggest Risk to Achieving Goal

Biggest Opportunity

Want expert eyes on your plan? Join the Fund Development Planning Workshop