Development Plan
A development plan is a comprehensive fundraising strategy document that outlines revenue goals, strategies, timelines, and resources for a nonprofit's fundraising program.
A development plan (also called a fundraising plan) is a strategic document that outlines a nonprofit's fundraising goals, strategies, tactics, timelines, and resource requirements for a defined period — typically one to three years. It serves as the roadmap for all fundraising activities.
Why It Matters for Fundraising
Organizations with written development plans consistently outperform those without. A plan forces clarity about goals, aligns team efforts, allocates resources intentionally, and creates accountability. Without a plan, fundraising becomes reactive — chasing whatever opportunity appears rather than building toward strategic objectives.
Key Components
An effective development plan includes a revenue goal broken down by source (individual giving, grants, events, earned income), strategies for each revenue channel, a calendar of activities and campaigns, staffing and budget requirements, donor pipeline projections, and metrics for tracking progress. The plan should be reviewed quarterly and adjusted as conditions change.