The farmer works throughout the year in anticipation of the harvest. For months, he furrows, seeds, and feeds his soil, forgoing immediate results in anticipation of the time when his labor will yield results. Then he reaps his crop and takes it to market where he hopes to receive enough in return to sustain his farm until the next season.
The harvest cycle is annual and a good farmer knows this. He understands the uncertainties (e.g., weather) that surround his farm and he plans accordingly.
The annual giving cycle is very similar. Like a good farmer, a good fundraiser understands the uncertainties (e.g., economy) that surround his program and he plans accordingly.
So, when planning your next annual campaign, start by identifying what to harvest and when. Consider the fact that many U.S. fundraising organizations register the majority of their individual donors in the final month of the tax year while many of these same organizations register the majority of their gift revenue in the final month of the fiscal year.
Then ask yourself, are you planning accordingly?
* image by Gregory Frank Harris (b. 1953)
