Go for the Green: Prepare for Year-End Fundraising Today

It's time for the green ... No, not St. Patrick's Day, but fundraising. It's time to nail down your plans for that year-end green!

Is your direct mail producing enough green? Now is the time to check.

If you're on a June/July fiscal year, you need to make plans now for a strong year's end. That means updating your messaging that you decided last July was the best approach. It means confirming or lining up your interviews for those story-based letters. It means making sure that you're still sending to the right segments.

What you get done now will make an impact two months from now … when "end of year" is staring you straight in the face, as is the difference between ending the year in the red or the black.

So after that green beer, while you're watching the flowers emerging from the warming soil after what you hope is the last snowstorm of the season, put yourself at the start of summer. You'll want to get out of the office early to enjoy the soft grass and green leaves. Plan now and you can make it happen!