What do you do if your nonprofit fundraising campaign is not meeting its goals?

A real example of this is Yemen. Estimated needs are at around 7-8 billion USD. However, due to the emergence of other global emergencies, funding has dwindled. Additionally, political factors have caused a drop in funding. Organizations will need to prioritize needs and redesign interventions to reach a higher number of individuals through innovative approaches.

Create a culture of situational awareness, esp when it comes to the bottom line like funds and financial stewardship. Be willing to let go of an idea, concept, or project if traction is not what you thought. Don't look at the runway behind you.

Reach out to your donors and supporters to understand their perspective. ?? Ask for feedback on why they might not be contributing as much as anticipated. ?? Their insights could provide valuable information for adjusting your campaign strategy. ??

There’s some things you can’t plan for. I remember working with a nonprofit on a big campaign launch and the same week an international crisis took over the headlines. I think it’s important to reset - what’s our new situation, what’s the timeliness of our need, and what’s a new plan of action that can get us there.

Reevaluating and adjusting the fundraising strategy when a campaign falls short of its goals is crucial. This process involves a comprehensive review of all aspects of one's strategy, from initial goal-setting to execution, to pinpoint areas for improvement and opportunities for optimization. By critically analyzing each facet of one's strategy and making data-driven adjustments, one can position the campaign for greater success and impact in achieving the fundraising goals.

Be sure to be willing to right-size your campaign. If funds are coming in lower than expected, be OK with a lower target. Sometimes in setting KPIs and goals, we aim for the stars to get to the top of the trees.

Sometimes, the way you communicate your campaign goals and impact can make a big difference. Ensure that your messaging is clear, compelling, and resonates with your target audience. Highlight the importance of the cause and the impact their donations can make.

I think it's important to remove emotions and ask the big question of why? -Is the messaging off? -Have you asked too much of your donor base recently? -Is there an external factor affecting giving (economy, local issue, politics, disaster.) -Have you kept stakeholders informed of successes as well as communicated the needs of the organization? -Are their internal factors affecting trust in the organization? I've also found it helpful to ask colleagues in other organizations to review a campaign and ask for their unbiased feedback.

In my years of monitoring and evaluation, I have seen how M&E can make or break organizations. An organization had a funding of almost 60 million. One data quality audit was done, and the funding was shrunk to 3 million. Monitor appropriately and communicate deviations immediately. Ensure the process is transparent and robust. Evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of your program to make informed changes to it whenever needed. Organizations that think of M&E as a luxury will always fall through the cracks.

Show your donors what you are capable of doing and how their funds have been used effectively and efficiently. Evaluations can go a long way in tweaking programs and enhancing their design. Donors want to see what they've funded and want to confidently report change. Make this happen and you will most likely engage them in the funding process.

Consider expanding your outreach efforts to reach a wider audience. Utilize social media, email newsletters, and other marketing channels to spread the word about your campaign. Collaborate with influencers or partner organizations to extend your reach even further.

Start by figuring out why you're falling short. Are your goals realistic, or are they a bit too ambitious? Remember to set SMART goals—ones that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. These provide a clear roadmap for success and help keep everyone on track Here's an example: Instead of aiming to "increase donations," set a specific target, like "Raise $10,000 for our summer youth program by August 31st." This goal is clear, quantifiable, realistic, relevant to your mission, and has a deadline, making it easier to track progress and adjust strategies accordingly.

Consider partnering with a digital agency that specialises in nonprofit campaigns. They can bring a fresh perspective to your campaign, whether it be an injection of creative ideas or best practice expertise in running effective campaigns. In my experience of working for the digital agency Torchbox, it's great to see the impressive results we can deliver for nonprofits based on the knowledge we learn from working with multiple charities.

Have updated needs assessments to prioritize needs. Invest sufficiently in research so your implementation gets smarter and more efficient.

Consider tactical or strategic partnerships with organizations that may be working in adjacent areas - maybe some would say "competitors" for your funds. This could lead to unexpected results related ultimately to your mission-driven outcomes.