The start of a new year is a perfect time for women leaders and fundraisers to set intentions, refine strategies, and position themselves as changemakers.
This post includes seven tips to help you stand out, drive impact, and foster meaningful change at your nonprofit.
7 Strategies for Women Nonprofit Leaders to Shine
You don’t need to do all of these things to be successful. Pick the two or three that resonate with you and set intentions to make big changes in specific areas. That will be much more impactful than trying to make a lot of small changes, or casting too wide a net to do them all (and ultimately doing none).
1. Build a Personal Brand as a Leader
Cultivate your presence both online and offline. Share your expertise through blog posts, LinkedIn articles, or speaking engagements at nonprofit conferences. (Notice I didn’t say social media.) Consider writing and publishing a book or join local and national committees or boards.
For example, if you haven’t served on the board of your local Association of Fundraising Professionals’ board, there’s no time like the present. A strong personal brand amplifies your credibility and influence, as well as builds your professional network.
2. Harness the Power of Mentorship
Seek out a mentor who has excelled in nonprofit leadership or become a mentor yourself, both inside and outside your organization. Mentors provide invaluable insights and builds a supportive network to share challenges and celebrate achievements. The Association of Fundraising Professionals has a mentor program where you can volunteer to be a mentor or request to be a mentee.
3. Master Data-Driven Fundraising
Okay, you don’t need to “master” data-driven fundraising, but making a commitment to learn more will help you in spades. Plan to deepen your understanding of donor analytics and make data informed decisions.
Specifically, invest time in exploring new platforms, such as wealth screening, in addition to the new capabilities of your current fundraising CRM. Schedule time with your CRM support center to learn what new features have been added that you might not be using. Use your data to identify donor trends, optimize campaigns, and select donors for personal outreach.
4. Embrace Innovative Fundraising Techniques
Experiment with cutting-edge strategies to help boost your productivity and relationship building with donors. Plan to test at least one new product or service this year such as wealth screening (for example, Kindsight or WealthEngine) or using video to interact with donors (such as ThankView).
Work to position yourself as a forward-thinker by embracing these creative and innovative techniques. If you test one and decide it’s not for you, that’s okay too. Learning and growing is the key to success.
5. Invest in Professional Development
Enroll in leadership or fundraising certification programs, such as those offered by CFRE International or AFP. Plan to attend two conferences this year (one local and one national) in addition to listening to podcasts, reading books, or attending webinars. Stay updated on industry trends and sharpen your skills to ensure you stay competitive and well-prepared for emerging challenges.
6. Cultivate a Resilient Mindset
Leadership in nonprofit fundraising is often stressful. Practice mindfulness, self-care, and adopt stress-management techniques to stay focused and energized. Take time off each quarter to relax and refresh. Apps like Headspace or Calm can help. A resilient mindset inspires confidence in your team and peers.
7. Be a Vocal Advocate for Organizational Change
Identify outdated practices or areas for growth within your nonprofit, and present data-driven solutions.
For example, propose investing in donor stewardship programs or adopting AI tools for efficiency. Courageously championing change shows your commitment to innovation and long-term success. Use tools like Asana, Trello, or Monday to track progress, stay organized, and keep yourself accountable.
Position Yourself as a Influential Nonprofit Leader
The new year offers a clean slate for women leaders like you to redefine your goals and elevate impact. By embracing these strategies, you can position yourself as an influential leader and inspire others to join you in transforming the nonprofit landscape.
Which of these tips resonates with you the most? Share your thoughts and strategies for the new year in the comments below.
Leave a Comment