How to Audit Your Fundraising for a Strong 2026

With the right reflection, your fundraising strategy can become more confident, balanced, and sustainable in the year ahead.

At Working Within, we love partnering with nonprofit leaders because you are some of the most mission-driven and resilient people we know. You don’t shy away from hard work. You meet challenges with creativity and conviction. Your leadership reflects compassion, curiosity, and deep commitment to community impact.

That’s why we’re passionate about helping organizations pause and take an honest look at their fundraising. A thoughtful audit can provide clarity. The best plans for the future start with understanding what’s working, what’s not, and where generosity is already growing.

Why a Fundraising Audit Matters

Fundraising dollars for your nonprofit is enabled by the systems and habits you use.

One helpful way to evaluate your approach is by looking at your return on investment (ROI), how much you raise compared to how much you spend on development. Many organizations discover they’ve been doing things for years that don’t actually earn much money once the true costs are factored in.

For example, an event might bring in $50,000 but cost $45,000 to produce. That’s a lot of energy for a small net return. Tracking ROI and other key metrics (like cost per dollar raised, donor acquisition cost, or donor retention) helps you see which efforts are truly moving your mission forward and which might be draining time and resources without much payoff.

A fundraising audit gives you permission to ask: Is this still working for us?

Three Core Areas to Review

1. Your Data and Revenue Mix

Start by looking at your numbers:

• Where are your funds coming from?

• Are revenue sources growing, or are you relying mostly on grants?

• What’s your exposure to funding shortfalls created by government uncertainty? (Now, a more timely question than ever)

• What’s the net return for each fundraising activity?

Understanding these trends helps you identify both risk and opportunity. If one funding source disappeared tomorrow, would your organization still be stable?

2. Your Donor Experience

Next, put yourself in your donor’s shoes:

• How easy is it to give or renew support?

• Do donors receive timely, personal thank-yous?

• When was the last time you asked how they feel about your work, not just for another gift?

Strong fundraising is relational, not transactional. Your audit should help you understand how donors experience your organization, from first impression to ongoing connection.

3. Your Story and Strategy

Finally, take a fresh look at your messaging:

• Does your storytelling clearly connect giving to impact?

• Is your case for support simple and emotionally clear?

• Are your goals realistic and grounded in past results?

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Great fundraising communication is consistent, hopeful, and inclusive. It shows donors the difference they make, not just what you do.

What to Do With What You Learn

Once you’ve taken stock, focus on a few areas that will make the biggest difference in 2026. You don’t need a total overhaul. Start small and stay consistent.

Here are some good next steps:

1. If your donor retention rate is low, focus on gratitude and follow-up.

2. If your ROI is weak in certain areas, rethink or retire those activities.

3. If your donor data is outdated, invest time in cleaning and segmenting your list.

   
   

The goal of an audit is to make fundraising feel easier, more intentional, and more relational—not more complicated.

Building a More Successful Fundraising Year

A fundraising audit often reveals something hopeful: generosity is already present in your community. The key is to nurture it with focus and care.

As you plan for 2026, take time to reflect on your systems, celebrate what’s working, and adjust where needed. A strong year ahead starts with honest insight today.

Your mission matters. Your supporters believe in you. And with a little reflection, your fundraising can become an even more joyful, sustainable engine for impact.

💡 Ready to clarify your 2026 fundraising plan?

 Schedule a Fundraising Power Hour with our team. In one focused session, we’ll help you assess your current approach, identify quick wins, and strengthen your path toward a confident new year.