How to Get Your Fundraising Team Motivated in the New Year
The New Year is a reset—but only if you treat it like one. Too many fundraising leaders roll into January with tired teams, recycled plans, and vague encouragement about “doing better this year.” That approach doesn’t motivate anyone. Fundraisers are practical people. They want clarity, purpose, and a sense that leadership knows where the organisation is headed. If you want real motivation, here’s how to start the year properly.
1. Close the Book on Last Year—Properly
Before you talk about the future, deal honestly with the past. Share what worked, what didn’t, and why. Don’t gloss over missed targets or pretend challenges didn’t happen. Fundraisers respect straight talk.
Celebrate wins—big and small—but anchor them in facts: dollars raised, donors retained, upgrades secured. Recognition tied to outcomes builds credibility. Empty praise does not.
2. Set Clear, Non-Negotiable Priorities
Nothing demotivates a team faster than fuzzy priorities. January is the time to be explicit:
- What fundraising programs matter most this year?
- Where will leadership invest time and resources?
- What will not be a priority?
A focused plan beats an overstuffed one every time. Fundraisers want to know where to put their energy—and where they’re allowed to say no.
3. Translate Strategy into Individual Relevance
Strategic plans are useless unless people can see themselves in them. Every fundraiser should leave January knowing:
- How their role contributes to the overall goal
- What success looks like for them this year
- How they’ll be measured—and supported
Motivation comes from ownership. If people don’t understand their lane, they won’t stay in it.
4. Reconnect Fundraisers to Mission and Impact
Experienced fundraisers don’t need platitudes—but they do need meaning. Start the year by reconnecting them to why the organisation exists.
Bring program staff into meetings. Share donor stories. Show real outcomes from last year’s fundraising. This isn’t fluff—it’s fuel. People work harder when they remember who they’re raising money for.
5. Invest in Skills, Not Just Targets
January is the right time to sharpen tools. Training signals that leadership is serious about improvement, not just pressure.
Focus on practical areas:
- Donor conversations and solicitation skills
- Portfolio management and prioritisation
- Using CRM data properly (not just entering it)
A fundraiser who feels more capable is a fundraiser who feels more confident—and confidence drives performance.
6. Reset Expectations Around Accountability
Motivation doesn’t come from being “nice.” It comes from fairness and consistency. Use the New Year to reset expectations:
- Regular check-ins, not annual surprises
- Clear KPIs tied to real activity and outcomes
- Follow-through when commitments aren’t met
Strong fundraisers want to be held to account. It tells them their work matters.
7. Give Them Something to Look Forward To
Finally, motivation needs momentum. Build in early wins—campaign milestones, donor visits, pilot projects, or visible improvements to systems and processes.
When fundraisers see progress early in the year, they stop bracing themselves and start leaning in.
January motivation isn’t about hype. It’s about leadership. Be clear. Be honest. Be disciplined. When fundraisers trust the direction and feel equipped to do their jobs well, motivation takes care of itself—and the results follow.
