Podcast Summary: "Y is for Year End Planning Starts Now"

Nonprofit Mastermind Podcast
Host: Brooke Richie-Babbage
Date: September 1, 2025

Episode Overview

In today's special episode of the Nonprofit Mastermind Podcast, host Brooke Richie-Babbage dives into the crucial topic of year-end planning for nonprofits. Framed as part of the “Design Your Strongest Year Ever” 26-day series, Brooke emphasizes that successful year-end outcomes aren't made in November—they're built months in advance, with intentional design and strategic planning. This episode delivers a clear, actionable approach to preparing for year-end fundraising and operations, empowering nonprofit leaders to operate proactively rather than reactively.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

The Value of Early Year-End Planning

• Intentional Design vs. Hustle: Brooke underscores that sustainable impact comes from strategic planning, not just increased effort.
• Timing is Everything: She asserts, “How your year ends is determined by what you do now in August, not in November.” [00:05]

Four-Week Year-End Planning Framework

Brooke breaks down a practical, week-by-week approach to help organizations prepare effectively:

Week 1: List and Segmentation

• Identify your audience: Clean your donor list and segment your contacts based on shared characteristics or giving history.
• Quote: “Identify your list. Create your segments. You can do that in one week.” [01:17]

Week 2: Crafting Stories and Offers

• Develop targeted messaging: Tailor your stories and fundraising offers to each segment for optimal resonance.
• Quote: “Once you have your segments, what are you saying to each of them? What language are you going to use to draw them in and demonstrate affinity?” [01:28]

Week 3: Building Your Calendar

• Map communications and board actions: Schedule email sends, donor calls, and establish board members' roles during the campaign.
• Plan stewardship: Detail how you’ll recognize and thank donors promptly.

Week 4: Finalizing Assets

• Prepare all materials: Complete donor pages, draft receipt templates, and organize tracking systems so everything is ready ahead of time.
• Tip: “You can do these in four weeks if you have to, but if you start earlier… you are ready for year end long before October.” [02:03]

Avoiding the November “Sprint”

• Pitfall of Last-Minute Planning: Starting in November forces your team into an exhausting sprint, risking burnout and lost revenue.
• Quote: “A rushed calendar burns staff energy and trust and it leaves revenue on the table.” [01:06]

Support and Tools Available

• For every episode, Brooke provides a worksheet or prompt to help implement the day's lesson.
• This episode’s bonus: an editable countdown calendar for year-end planning is available at brookerichiebabbage.com/ABCStrategies. [02:15]
• Special offer: 26% discount on all implementation toolkits during the series.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Planning Principle:

  “I believe that how your year ends is determined by what you do now in August, not in November.”
  — Brooke Richie-Babbage [00:05]

• Warning to Nonprofit Leaders:

  “If you kick off in November planning for year end, you’re already sprinting uphill. 80% of year end success is already built by October.”
  — Brooke Richie-Babbage [00:56]

• On Avoiding Burnout:

  “A rushed calendar burns staff energy and trust and it leaves revenue on the table.”
  — Brooke Richie-Babbage [01:06]

• Simple, Actionable Steps:

  “First, list and segments. Identify your list. Create your segments. You can do that in one week.”
  — Brooke Richie-Babbage [01:17]

Important Segments and Timestamps

• Introduction & Purpose: [00:00 – 00:45]
• Importance of Early Planning: [00:56 – 01:15]
• The 4-Week Planning Outline: [01:17 – 02:10]
• Worksheet and Bonus Resource Info: [02:10 – End]

Tone & Style

Brooke delivers her advice in a warm, encouraging, and pragmatic tone, providing clear reassurance that thoughtful design—rather than last-minute stress—is the key to nonprofit success. The episode is direct, actionable, and supportive, aiming to equip leaders with steps they can start taking immediately.