Annual Nonprofit To-Do’s: Setting Up for a Successful Year
Written by Rachel Stanley, Senior Consultant
A year always seems to fly by faster than we expect. Between programs, events, and fundraising campaigns, it’s easy to let annual tasks slip through the cracks. But taking the time to update key documents and complete annual check-ins can set your organization up for a stronger, smoother year ahead.
Whether your fiscal year follows the calendar year, runs July to June, or follows a different schedule altogether, below is a comprehensive checklist to help your team stay organized, compliant, and ready to succeed. This list includes governance, finances, programs, development, and a few additional annual tasks.
🏛 Governance
Board of Directors
Recruit and onboard new board members, if needed.
Offboard any board members who have completed their terms.
Update your board roster — both internally and on your website.
Review your conflict of interest policy, and collect signed acknowledgments from all board members.
Compliance & Administration
Renew state charitable registrations (and any additional registrations legally required to solicit donations).
Review and update your organization’s insurance coverage.
Renew your registration with SAM.gov, if applicable.
💰 Financial
Annual Filings
File your IRS Form 990, updating program descriptions as needed.
Once accepted, sign the first page and save the final version.
Publish the 990 on your website or Candid profile for transparency.
Audit
Complete your annual audit.
Save internal copies, and publish where appropriate.
Budget & Financial Closeout
Create a budget for the next fiscal year — consider both a detailed internal version and a simplified, branded version for external use.
Finalize all financial transactions, reconcile accounts, and review your balance sheet for accuracy.
Produce final versions of your:
Statement of Financial Position (Balance Sheet)
Statement of Activities (Income Statement)
Statement of Cash Flows
Save all files in clearly labeled, accessible folders.
🌱 Programmatic
Record annual program outputs and outcomes.
Capture, label, save, and publish new photos or videos of your programs, clients, or staff (with permission).
Collect fresh testimonials from clients, partners, and/or supporters.
Review any new grant deliverables or budget restrictions with program leaders.
🤝 Development
Create a board giving plan, and secure pledges from each board member.
Review progress toward your current fundraising goals.
Set new fundraising goals, strategies, and tactics for the coming year.
Update your website calendar and any other public listings of upcoming events.
Create and share your annual report - it doesn’t have to be long.
Send annual donor receipts, especially for recurring givers.
Refresh routine donor materials — acknowledgment letters, stewardship content, etc.
Follow up on any outstanding pledges, working with donors to finalize gifts or adjust records as needed.
🧭 Additional Annual Tasks
Conduct staff performance reviews, including a Board-led review of the Executive Director.
Refresh website content to ensure accuracy and relevance.
Celebrate your wins from the previous year.
Taking the time to complete these annual to-dos isn’t just about compliance — it’s about strengthening your organization’s foundation. By reviewing your governance, financials, programs, and development practices, you’ll position your team to operate more efficiently, communicate impact more clearly, and raise funds more effectively in the year ahead.
For more content to strengthening your organization, check out some of our previous blogs below:
