Successful nonprofits can make a big difference in their communities. From feeding the hungry to supporting health services, nonprofit organizations offer a wide range of benefits to the people they serve. If you’re looking for ways to increase the success of your nonprofit, follow these steps.

Stay on Top of Your Finances

Paperwork is important for nonprofits. There are several annual reporting requirements nonprofits must satisfy to maintain their status. Keeping careful track of your records, for everything from donations to numbers served, is important for being able to turn in reports on time and provide information to the public. Using accounting software helps nonprofits keep accurate records, pay bills on time and collect payments. Look for a software solution that works well with your CRM and any other systems that help your nonprofit run. It’s easier to stay on top of paperwork as it comes in, rather than waiting until right before an annual deadline to get organized.

Communicate With Your Donors

Donors are essential to a successful nonprofit. Their support makes it possible to provide programs, pay staff and maintain a level of service. According to Chron.com, it’s important to communicate regularly with donors about your organization’s successes, recent news and most pressing needs. Start by producing a regular newsletter for your donors. Many organizations choose to send newsletters quarterly. From there, you’ll have information collected that can be used for personalized letters, individual meetings or check-in phone calls. It’s also vital to quickly send a thank you to a donor each time they make a gift. Don’t forget to acknowledge sustaining donors who give on a monthly basis, as well. Communicating with your donor base is the first step to encouraging repeat gifts.

Make a Strategic Plan

Staying true to your organization’s mission and setting a strategic long-term plan are key to a nonprofit’s success. Start by setting a specific mission statement for your nonprofit. For organizations that have been operating for years, review your current programs and activities to ensure they help serve your nonprofit’s mission. Once you’ve focused on your mission, you’ll be able to write a list of goals you’d like to accomplish over the next three or five years. Set specific, timely goals, then make a list of tactics you’ll use to achieve them.

Motivate Your Volunteers

A dedicated volunteer force can help a nonprofit extend its reach and run its programs. Volunteers frequently assist nonprofits with tasks like event planning, office work, donation mailing campaigns or communications. A happy group of volunteers can reduce stress on your regular staff and spread the word through your community about all the good work your organization is doing. To maintain your volunteers, you’ll need to keep them motivated and engaged. Consider starting a volunteer newsletter or a regular team meeting. Set up an incentive program that gives volunteers points for hours worked, then offer rewards from your business partners or other supporters. Be sure to set clear expectations for each volunteer role, and provide plenty of guidance for each task or committee.

Use a Donor Database

Donor database software helps nonprofits track donations, keep current contact information for their donors and identify giving prospects. Similar to a CRM used by a for-profit business, a donor database centralizes your staff’s work and provides a one-stop-shop for customer information. Select a database software for your nonprofit that allows you to create a record for each donor that includes contact information, giving history, communication preferences and other information. You’ll be able to easily pull mailing lists for your end-of-year giving campaign, keep track of emails for your regular e-newsletter, and collaborate with other team members on donor relations or communications projects.