8 Things to Do for the Next 8 Weeks

I hate to be the one to break the news, but in just over eight weeks, it will be 2013. All the good intentions that were all shiny and bright last January will have either helped your bottom line or fizzled under the weight of everything else that demanded your attention.

But there are still eight weeks — and that's plenty of time for some last-minute efforts that can produce income without driving you right over the abyss. I've compiled a list of eight things that won't take much time but have the potential to raise money before Dec. 31. And I've listed them as a checklist to give you the satisfaction of celebrating progress with a check mark. Ready? Here goes!

Fundraising to-do list

__ Week of Nov. 5: Make sure your donation-processing team (be that one person or 50) is ready to handle an increase in donations at year end. Check to be sure your backup staff is ready to help. Repeat a training session if needed. You know the surge in donations is coming. Prepare now so you can receipt donors quickly and accurately.

__Week of Nov. 12: Call three donors who gave significant gifts in 2013, haven't given yet in 2012 and aren't being actively solicited already. Tell them a few of your accomplishments this year, and ask them to give gifts before Dec. 31 to help you do even more in 2013.

__ Week of Nov. 19: Prepare an e-mail to go out to donors on Monday, Nov. 26, reminding them that Tuesday the 27th is Giving Tuesday. Granted, we have no idea how "big" this newly declared event is going to be, but we can assume there is going to be some publicity surrounding it. So be sure your donors think about you first when they hear or see promotions for Giving Tuesday.