Step 2: Build Your Fundraising Team

Overview

Now that you have your fundraising strategy in place, the next step is to build the team that will help you execute it.

This is where you move from planning… to consistent action.

You are not meant to do this alone.

1: Identify the Team You Need

Start by looking at your fundraising strategy.

Go through it and identify the different roles required to execute it effectively.

List out the people you need.

For most organizations, your fundraising team may include:

• Someone focused on individual donors
• Someone focused on businesses and corporate partnerships
• Someone focused on grants and foundations
• Someone focused on content and visibility

Depending on your strategy, their responsibilities may include:

• Researching and building lists of potential donors and partners
• Running daily outreach to individuals, businesses, and grantors
• Setting up meetings or directing prospects to your landing page or email list
• Drafting proposals (including grant and corporate proposals)
• Creating content to attract your ideal funding audience
• Running promotional ads

You don’t need everyone doing everything.

You need people handling specific parts of the process.

2: Recruit Your Fundraising Team

Now that you know who you need, the next step is to bring them in.

If you don’t have the resources to hire, start with skilled volunteers.

These are individuals who can commit to:

• 1 hour per day
• Monday to Friday

To attract the right people, we recommend launching a Fundraising Fellowship Program.

This allows you to bring in volunteers who already have skills such as:

• Research
• Creative writing
• Email marketing
• Social media marketing and management
• Appointment setting

Here’s the key…

They are not responsible for asking for money.

That responsibility remains with you and your board.

Their role is to:

• Set up meetings
• Draft proposals for your review
• Drive prospects to your donation page or email list

This ensures consistent execution while you focus on leadership.

As support, you can provide a small internet stipend (e.g., $50/month) to help them stay active and committed.

3: Create Your Recruitment Materials

Before you begin recruiting, prepare the materials you need.

These include:

• Recruitment job post
• Social media recruitment posts
• Application form
• Recruitment communication emails
• Interview questions
• Training materials
• Role-specific job portfolios for each volunteer

These materials will help you attract, assess, and onboard the right people.

 

Important Instructions:

• Use the Application Form Template provided below
• Save a copy before editing so responses come directly to you
• Do not edit the original template
• You will also find the Recruitment Materials Creation Template below.

4: Run the Recruitment Process

Now, begin recruiting.

The best platform to start with is LinkedIn.

• Post your recruitment job on the LinkedIn Jobs section
• Use your LinkedIn page to share your opportunity
• Share your recruitment posts across other platforms you have access to

Your goal is simple:

• Get as many qualified applicants as possible.

 
Next Steps:

• Review Applications
• Identify the most suitable candidates
• Invite for Interviews
• Speak with selected applicants
• Select Your Team: Choose those you want to move forward with
• Send Acceptance Emails
• Invite them for onboarding

5: Onboard and Activate Your Team

Onboarding happens in two stages:

1. Individual Onboarding

• Walk each volunteer through their role
• Clarify expectations
• Answer questions

2. Group Onboarding

• Have each team member present how they will execute their role
• Introduce the tools, content, and materials they will use
• Walk them through the fundraising strategy and align everyone on the overall system

After this, your team is ready to begin execution.

Final Note

This step is about building consistency.

Your fundraising system will only work if there are people actively driving it daily.

Once your team is in place, you move from:

Occasional effort to:

• Structured, ongoing execution
   

Take your time to build this properly.

The strength of your fundraising system depends on it