5 New Year’s Resolutions to Boost Your Nonprofit’s Donations in 2026

The calendar flips, the fireworks fade, and suddenly every gym is packed with people who have decided this is the year they finally love salad. Meanwhile, nonprofit leaders everywhere are doing the same thing we’ve all done: looking at the new year and wondering, “How do we raise more money… without losing our sanity?”

Good news. You absolutely can. And it doesn’t require magic, millionaires, or your board suddenly becoming fundraising superheroes. It just takes some intentional resolutions you can actually stick to.

Here are five New Year’s resolutions that can significantly boost your nonprofit’s donations in 2026, and maybe even make the journey joyful.

Resolution #1 – Talk About Impact More Than Need

Need is important. We should be honest about it. But donors don’t give simply because there’s a need. They give because they believe something beautiful, redemptive, and meaningful happens when they do. So this year, commit to sharing more stories than statistics. Celebrate more changed lives than deficits. Focus conversations around hope, healing, rescue, redemption, restoration, and transformation. People don’t want to fund a problem. They want to fuel a mission.

Resolution #2 – Say “Thank You” Like It’s a Spiritual Discipline

The nonprofits that raise the most money are not the ones who hustle the hardest. They are the ones who thank the best. In 2026, resolve to thank donors quickly, personally, joyfully, and sincerely. Send thank yous that feel human, heartfelt, and meaningful, not transactional. And whenever possible, thank donors without immediately asking for something at the same time. Gratitude keeps donors close. It reminds them why they gave in the first place. And honestly, it is simply the right thing to do.

Resolution #3 – Make Giving Simple… Then Make It Simpler

If someone needs to click six different buttons, create a password, verify an email, decode a CAPTCHA, and whisper a secret fundraising code into the universe before donating, they probably won’t. This year, take a serious look at your donation process. Make your giving page clear and easy. Remove unnecessary fields. Make your donate button obvious. Give people the option to give quickly and even become recurring donors if they’d like. People genuinely want to help. Don’t let technology get in the way of generosity.

Resolution #4 – Stop Apologizing for Asking

So many nonprofits treat fundraising like apologizing for taking the last cookie at Bible study. “Hey, I’m so sorry to ask… I know times are hard… I hate bringing this up…” It’s time to stop. You are not asking people to do something uncomfortable. You are inviting them into something eternal. If your mission rescues, restores, heals, strengthens families, defends the vulnerable, saves lives, or builds God’s Kingdom, then giving is not a burden. It is a blessing. So ask boldly. Ask confidently. Ask with joy. You are offering donors the chance to be part of something that truly matters.

Resolution #5 – Bring in Someone Who Will Inspire, Encourage, and Help You Raise More (Yes… This Is the Fun One)

Here’s the truth: your donors don’t just need to hear about your mission. They need to feel it. They need to laugh again. They need to be moved. They need to be reminded why they love your organization and why generosity matters. That is where a great event comes in, especially your annual banquet or a comedy night.

A powerful, joy-filled event strengthens donor relationships, clarifies your mission, builds excitement, and creates generosity momentum. It also gives your supporters a night they will actually enjoy and talk about long after it’s over.

And if you would love clean comedy, genuine inspiration, encouragement rooted in faith, and someone who can help you make an effective and joyful financial ask, I would love to serve you. I combine comedy, storytelling, ministry experience, and fundraising knowledge to help organizations create unforgettable, generous, hope-filled events. We laugh together. We celebrate what God is doing. We honor your donors. We communicate clearly. And we help you raise the support you need to keep changing lives.

So here is your friendly, slightly humorous, deeply sincere New Year’s challenge: Resolution number five is to book Tim Boyd for your next banquet or comedy night. Your donors will thank you. Your board will thank you. And you might just raise more than you ever have.

Let’s make 2026 your most encouraging, joy-filled, generous year yet.