Fundraising Readiness Self-Assessment

Is your organization ready to fundraise well—and sustainably?

Before launching new fundraising efforts, strengthening donor relationships, or considering a capital campaign, it’s important to understand your organization’s readiness. Fundraising done without clarity or alignment can strain leadership, confuse donors, and undermine long-term health.

This self-assessment is designed to help nonprofit boards and leaders reflect honestly on readiness, capacity, and alignment—so next steps are thoughtful, realistic, and mission-centered.

How to Use This Assessment

For each statement below, consider how true it is for your organization right now.

Rate each statement:

  • Yes / Mostly / Not Yet / Unsure

This assessment is not a test—and there is no “passing score.” Its purpose is clarity.

Mission & Strategy

  1. Our mission and purpose are clearly defined and consistently understood by leadership and the board.
  2. We have a clear sense of why additional funding is needed and how it will advance our mission.
  3. Our strategic priorities are focused and realistic given our current capacity.
  4. We can articulate a compelling case for support that connects mission, impact, and funding needs.

Leadership & Governance

  1. Board members understand their role in fundraising and donor relationships.
  2. Leadership and board expectations around fundraising are clear and aligned.
  3. Board–staff relationships are healthy, collaborative, and based on trust.
  4. The board is engaged at an appropriate level and not operating in crisis mode.

Organizational Health & Capacity

  1. Our organization is operating with relative stability (financially, programmatically, and administratively).
  2. Key leadership roles are clearly defined and adequately supported.
  3. We have systems in place to steward donors well (communication, follow-up, accountability).
  4. Fundraising efforts match our staff and volunteer capacity.

Donor Relationships & Culture

  1. We understand who our donors are and why they support our mission.
  2. Donors experience our organization as trustworthy, transparent, and grateful.
  3. Fundraising is viewed as relationship-building, not pressure or obligation.
  4. Our fundraising culture aligns with our mission and values.

Readiness for Growth or Campaigns

  1. Leadership and board share a realistic understanding of what fundraising will require.
  2. We are not relying on fundraising to solve deeper organizational issues.
  3. There is broad internal support for expanding fundraising efforts.
  4. We are willing to pause, prepare, and strengthen foundations if needed.

Interpreting Your Reflection

If many of your responses fall in “Yes” or “Mostly,” your organization may be well positioned to strengthen fundraising efforts or explore next steps.

If several responses fall in “Not Yet” or “Unsure,” that’s not a failure—it’s valuable insight. Often, the most effective next step is not more fundraising, but greater clarity, alignment, or preparation.

What Readiness Really Means

Fundraising readiness is not about perfection. It’s about:

  • Clarity before urgency
  • Alignment before action
  • Health before growth

Organizations that take time to assess readiness are better equipped to fundraise with integrity, confidence, and sustainability.

Let’s Talk About What You’re Seeing

If this assessment raised questions—or confirmed concerns—we’d welcome a conversation. Together, we can explore what readiness looks like for your organization and identify thoughtful next steps.

Schedule a Strategy Conversation