The Mid-Year Check-In Every Nonprofit Leader Needs to Do (But Rarely Does)

You’re halfway through the year. Are you on track—or just moving fast?

July is often a strange time for nonprofit leaders. You’re either recovering from spring fundraising… ramping up for fall… or quietly drowning in grant reports, summer events, and budget planning.

But July is also the perfect moment to stop, breathe, and ask a question most leaders skip:

“Is what we’re doing… actually working?”

Here’s a simple mid-year check-in framework to help you course-correct, realign, and finish strong.

🧭 1. Revisit Your Strategic Priorities

Pull out your plan—yes, the one from January.

Ask:

• Are we still aligned with our top 3–5 strategic priorities?

• Have we drifted into “busy” work that doesn’t connect?

• What can we cut, delegate, or pause?

📌 Pro Tip: If a priority hasn’t been talked about in 60 days, it’s either not a priority—or it needs new leadership attention.

📊 2. Look at Revenue Reality

Forget projections—what has actually come in?

• Are we ahead, behind, or on track?

• Which fundraising channels are working best?

• Do we need to adjust our fall strategy now?

Better to pivot in July than panic in October.

📌 Pro Tip: Schedule a 1-hour finance and development sync to align messaging, timing, and pipeline.

💬 3. Check In With Your People

You can’t finish strong if your team is running on fumes.

Ask:

• What’s working well for you right now?

• Where are you stuck or unclear?

• What one thing would make your job easier this quarter?

This isn't about performance—it's about capacity. Burnout is harder to fix in Q4. Prevent it now.

📌 Pro Tip: Ask your board chair the same questions. Their answers may surprise you.

📈 4. Zoom Out on Impact

Every nonprofit says they’re “making a difference.” But what do your numbers say?

• Are you on pace to hit your program goals?

• Are you tracking outcomes, or just outputs?

• What client or community stories are you not telling yet?

Your funders will ask these questions in December. Answer them now—and build the story you’ll need later.

🔁 5. Re-Engage Key Donors

The summer lull is a great time to connect personally.

• Who gave a major gift last year but hasn’t yet in 2025?

• Who attended your last event but didn’t follow up?

• Who could you thank today just because?

📌 Pro Tip: Send 3 handwritten notes or quick video messages this week. It matters more than you think.

🎯 Mid-Year Momentum Isn’t About Hustle—It’s About Clarity

The organizations that finish the year strong aren’t the ones that do more. They’re the ones that get focused.

This check-in doesn’t have to take a retreat or a consultant. Just 60 minutes of honesty.

If you want help making sense of where you stand—and where to focus—we’re here for that.

📩 Let’s schedule a Mid-Year Momentum Call. No pressure. Just clarity.

Book a Mid-Year Momentum Call Now