Fundraising can be a stressful process, and even the idea of setting fundraising goals for yourself and your company can be overwhelming and more than a little bit terrifying. If you’re going to raise money for your nonprofit, then you need to figure out how to do it in the most cost-effective way possible. Keep reading for a few tips to help you maximize and meet your fundraising goals without being overwhelmed or overly stressed.

1. Use the best resources available.

If you intend to create a seamless fundraiser and meet your goals, then you need the best resources available to you. One of the best ways to find the right resources is through Engaging Networks. They have a variety of flexible, completely customizable platforms with innovative software that will help you with your fundraising endeavors. It’s also important to research the software platform you’re considering thoroughly and check to make sure there are no hidden fees that might come back to haunt you later.

2. Always dress for success.

While it may be tempting to host your fundraiser in a t-shirt, or even to let your volunteers dress in jeans or shorts and tees, it’s important to dress for success if you want people to take your fundraiser seriously. You don’t have to go all out with heels and tuxes, but you do want to dress nicely. Think of button-down shirts for the men and tunics for women that are nice and neatly maintained. Pair a classic black tunic with a nice pair of slacks or leggings and some low-heeled shoes and you’ll have a winner.

Set clear goals.

While setting clear goals may seem easy enough, setting them and actually meeting them prove to be two very different things. Remember, your main goal at the beginning of the year will set the pace for the remainder of the year as well. Ask yourself whether you met your main goal last year and if your main fundraising event was a success. This will help you determine what you need to change, and what you can keep the same for the new year ahead. The clearer your goals are for the new year ahead, the more of a chance you’ll have at meeting them.

Always be transparent and open.

Once you have your goals created, announce them to your entire nonprofit organization. After you announce your goals, openly discuss with everyone what your plans are to hit that target goal. Goals should be communicated clearly to everyone, from your marketing director to the interns that help pull it all together. It’s also important to make your goals and how you plan on reaching them known to your donors. Always being transparent and open with everyone from the donors to the interns shows that your nonprofit has nothing to hide, and lets everyone know that you’re on top of things and that you’re committed to your cause.

Never forget to say thank you.

Once you have accepted a donation, the last thing you want to do is forget about the donor who gave it. While thank-you notes may seem outdated and old-fashioned, they work. Letters and social media thank-yous are a great way to say thanks. However, a phone call to the donor is a lot more personal and shows that you really care. Of course, your choice of which method you choose to thank your donors will depend on the size of your non-profit as well, but you should thank everyone nonetheless.

Sometimes it can be difficult to keep a handle on donor management, what with all the online fundraising, email marketing, and various transaction types you need to track. Engaging Networks can help with this as well. This software is built specifically to help nonprofits with keeping track of their donors and online fundraising efforts so that you just need to log in to find the right contact information or supporter email and send out those thank-you notes. Engaging Networks also ensures complete confidentiality so you don’t have to worry about credit card details or contact information going awry.

These are just a few tips to help you reach your fundraising goals for the year. Remember, the main goal for the year is to be able to do the good work nonprofits are there for. Don’t forget how important your donors are in the whole process as well, and be sure to thank them properly for their generous donations.