Free, no sign-up to start: the plan opens as a live, editable Gantt chart. 12 tasks across 4 phases, about 20 weeks if every task runs in sequence.
What's in the template
| Phase | Task | Example duration |
|---|---|---|
| Plan | Set goal and budget | 7 days |
| Plan | Donor research and segmentation | 14 days |
| Plan | Case for support | 10 days |
| Quiet phase | Board and major donor asks | 30 days |
| Quiet phase | Lead gift commitments | 14 days |
| Public phase | Campaign page and materials | 10 days |
| Public phase | Public launch | 1 day |
| Public phase | Email and mail appeals | 21 days |
| Public phase | Fundraising event | 1 day |
| Public phase | Peer-to-peer push | 14 days |
| Steward | Thank-you letters and receipts | 7 days |
| Steward | Impact report to donors | 14 days |
Durations are examples to replace with your own estimates, not benchmarks.
About this nonprofit fundraising campaign
Fundraising campaigns commonly start with a quiet phase: securing lead gifts from major donors before going public, so the public launch can announce real momentum. This plan follows that structure and ends with stewardship, because thanking donors is part of the campaign.
It fits an annual appeal or a focused campaign for a program or capital need.
Who it's for: Development directors, executive directors and fundraising volunteers.
How to use it
- Open the plan. Click Open in the editor.
- Set the public launch. Adjust the planning and quiet-phase durations until the public launch lands on your target date.
- Assign asks. Give each major-donor ask an owner from staff or the board.
- Share with the board. Send a read-only link for board meetings.
Planning tips
- Thank donors quickly; schedule it as a task, not an afterthought.
- Have the case for support ready before the first major ask.
- Plan the impact report when you plan the campaign.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the quiet phase of a campaign?
- The period before public launch when an organization secures leadership and major gifts.
- Can I track multiple appeals?
- Yes. Add rows per appeal or channel and give each its own owner.
- Is it free?
- Yes. Opening and editing the template is free; a free account saves one project.
Related templates
The free plan saves one project. Downloads (PDF, CSV) and more projects are on Solo, $12/month.