🎯 Fundraising Is a Marathon, Not a Sprint​​​​​​
Embarking on a fundraising journey can feel overwhelming — especially if your target is in the thousands. But just like training for a marathon, success comes from small, consistent steps over time.
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Before you even plan your first event or design a flyer, take a deep breath — fundraising is not something you conquer overnight. Think of it as a long-distance journey, not a race to the finish. Whether your target is £500 or £5,000, the only way to reach it with confidence (and your sanity intact) is to break it into manageable, realistic chunks.
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Let’s say your target is £5,000 and your deadline is 12 months away. That sounds daunting, but split it down:
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£5,000 ÷ 12 months = £417 per month
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£417 ÷ 4 weeks = £104 per week
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£104 ÷ 7 days = £14.85 per day
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Suddenly, your goal becomes something tangible. You’re no longer trying to leap a mountain — you’re climbing it, one step at a time.
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🎯 Key Takeaway:
Break the total down by time and effort. This turns a vague goal into an actionable roadmap — and that’s how momentum builds.
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Reverse Engineering Your Timeline
Once you know your total target and how long you have to raise it, it’s time to work backwards from your deadline. This is called reverse planning, and it helps you stay in control from day one.
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📅 Step-by-Step Planning:
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Mark your final fundraising deadline on a calendar.
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Break the calendar into months, then weeks.
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Assign mini-goals to each month — e.g., “Raise £250 this month.”
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Identify key opportunities in each period (seasonal events, school holidays, payday weekends).
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Leave buffer time for unexpected delays or slower months.
By building backwards, you eliminate guesswork and prevent panic as the deadline nears.
Monthly Planning with Seasonal Strategy
Monthly planning is the heart of your strategy. But it’s not just about picking any fundraiser — it’s about making the most of the seasons.​​​​​​​​
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🧠Top Tips:
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Plan high-impact fundraisers in peak months (e.g. Christmas, Easter).
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Use low-effort digital fundraising in quieter months (e.g. easyfundraising, Vinted sales).
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Stack your plan with a mix of event, service, and online-based ideas.
Mix Your Fundraising Methods
No single method will get you to your target. The best fundraisers use a multi-stream approach — a blend of events, services, online tools, and passive income.
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We recommend coming up with 10 different types of fundraising styles and then assigning each to make a 10th of your target! This way, you are not trying to raise everything with one simple idea. You are spreading the target over 10. Some may make less than you hoped and some may make more but by spreading the target this way - all will add up to that full figure.
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(Don't worry, we've got a separate article to help you do this!)
​​SMART Goals, Milestones & Motivation
It’s one thing to have a plan. It’s another to stay accountable to it.
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🎯 Use SMART Goals:
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Specific: “Raise £200 this month by hosting a raffle and selling handmade cards.”
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Measurable: Track every £ raised in a spreadsheet or planner.
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Achievable: Don’t set a £500 goal if you only have 3 days that month.
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Relevant: Focus on methods that match your audience and time.
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Time-bound: Set clear deadlines (e.g. “£200 by March 31st”).​
🪜 Milestone Tracking:
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Create 3–4 key fundraising milestones (e.g. £1,000, £2,500…)
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Celebrate each one with a reward or shout-out online
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Adjust your plan if a method underperforms
💬 Final Word:
The only way to climb a mountain is to do it one step at a time - so start walking and head to that fundraising peak! Trust us, the view is amazing!
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