---
title: "Monthly check-in 3: Fundraising strategy & donor management"
slug: "monthly-check-in"
updated: 2025-06-18T07:57:27Z
published: 2025-06-18T07:57:27Z
canonical: "resourceportal.antientropy.org/monthly-check-in"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://resourceportal.antientropy.org/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Monthly check-in 3: Fundraising strategy & donor management

### Who is this for?

          

This content is designed for participants in Anti Entropy's [SparkWell](https://www.antientropy.org/sparkwell) fiscal sponsorship program. While some context will be specific to SparkWell and may need more context, we've made these resources public because they may, nevertheless, be useful to others who may be founding or building an organization.

          All check-ins

          

1. [Introduction & onboarding](/v1/docs/monthly-check-in-1-onboarding)
2. [Mission, theory of change & impact evaluation](/v1/docs/monthly-check-in-2-mission-theory-of-change-impact-evaluation)
3. **Fundraising strategy & donor management (*current stage*)**
4. [Financial management & budgeting](/v1/docs/monthly-check-in-1)
5. [Legal compliance & risk management](/v1/docs/monthly-check-in-5-legal-compliance-risk-management)
6. [Infosec & GDPR](/v1/docs/monthly-check-in-6-infosec-gdpr)
7. [Brand development & marketing](/v1/docs/monthly-check-in-7-brand-development-marketing)
8. ["Bus-proofing" & sustainability strategy](/v1/docs/monthly-check-in-8-bus-proofing-sustainability-strategy)
9. [HR systems & hiring strategy](/v1/docs/monthly-check-in-9-hr-systems-hiring-strategy)
10. [Board development & governance](/v1/docs/monthly-check-in-10-board-development-governance)
11. [Revisited: Mission, theory of change & impact evaluation](/v1/docs/monthly-check-in-11-revisited-mission-theory-of-change-impact-evaluation)
12. [Graduation](/v1/docs/monthly-check-in-12-graduation)

## Fundraising strategy & donor management

### Why is this important?

When setting up a nonprofit, it’s essential to think about fundraising strategy and donor management because funding is what enables the organization to carry out its mission, while strong donor relationships ensure long-term sustainability. A clear fundraising strategy identifies the most effective sources and methods for raising money, aligns with the nonprofit’s goals and capacity, and reduces financial uncertainty. Donor management helps build trust, retain supporters, and grow contributions over time by ensuring donors feel valued, informed, and connected to the impact of their giving. Together, they create a stable financial foundation for the organization’s work.

          

### Suggested reading

          

**Nonprofit Operations Playbook:**

- [Create a fundraising strategy](https://www.notion.so/Create-a-fundraising-strategy-1bbaa1d01f24818b8bf7db2c6e36502b?source=copy_link)

**Other Related Readings**

- [Grant Funds Start Guide](/v1/docs/grant-funds)
- [Due Diligence for Grants](/v1/docs/due-diligence-for-grants)
- [Receiving Grant Funds from the US](/v1/docs/receiving-grant-funds-1)

### Milestones

Aim to complete these before your next monthly check-in:

✔️ Suitable funding sources and/or donors determined

#### (Optional) Further outcomes

Consider completing these throughout the program:

✔️ Fundraising best practices and tactics discussed ✔️ Stakeholder mapping and engagement approaches discussed ✔️ Partnership strategies developed ✔️ Case for support written ✔️ Grant strategy developed ✔️ Grant(s) applied for as needed ✔️ Due diligence discussed

### Next up: Financial management & budgeting

When setting up a nonprofit, careful financial management and budgeting are crucial to ensure resources are used efficiently, obligations are met, and the organization remains financially sustainable.

See the [Financial management & budgeting](/v1/docs/monthly-check-in-1) worksheet for more information.