Mise en Place: The Fundraising Prep You Didn’t Know You Needed

There’s a French phrase that chefs live by: mise en place. It means “everything in its place,” and it refers to the sacred ritual of prepping every ingredient before you ever turn on the stove.

It starts before the cooking begins and, in a professional kitchen, means dinner service goes easier, smoother, customers are happier and the whole operation just functions better.

The importance of a good mise is that you have everything you need for a recipe right at hand - no running around the kitchen trying to grab that one missing thing from the pantry while the onions burn.

It’s about not having a meltdown at 6:45 p.m. on a Friday because you can’t find the oregano and the onions are burning.

And that, my friend, is exactly what most fundraisers experience in September when they skipped their mise in July.

Let’s fix that.

What Mise en Place Really Means (For Fundraising, Not Risotto)

Let’s be clear: I’m not asking you to become a chef. But I am suggesting you think like one.

Mise en place is about readiness. It’s about flow. It’s about giving yourself the best shot at executing well because you prepared with intention.

In fundraising, that means:

• You’re not digging for last year’s segment list the night before your fall appeal goes out.

• You’re not Googling “990 attachment budget narrative pdf help me” while trying to submit a grant.

• You’re not wondering whether the CRM or the spreadsheet is right (spoiler: it’s neither).

When you put in the prep now, you buy your future self peace of mind.

And that, dear fundraiser, is the rarest luxury of all.

So What Should Be in Your Fundraising Mise en Place?

Glad you asked. Here’s your unofficial prep list.

1. Your Budget and Revenue Targets

If you don’t know what you need to raise, the universe will decide for you. And the universe is terrible at forecasting.

Prep:

• Confirm your revenue gap (what do you need from individual giving to meet goal?)

• Break it down: retention, acquisition, upgrade, monthly, major, etc.

• Align appeals and campaigns to actual goals (not vibes)

2. Gift Goals and KPIs

Dollars aren’t the only metric that matters. How many gifts do you need? How many donors do you want to retain or re-engage?

Prep:

• Pull last fall’s campaign metrics

• Set response rate, retention rates, and upgrade goals

• Decide how often you’ll measure progress

  • If you need help, have us run a Generosity FINDER report for you - quick and easy with all the metrics you need to set realistic goals.

3. Data Hygiene and CRM Organization

No one wants to hear it. But if your data’s a disaster, your results will be, too.

Prep:

• Fix misspelled names

• De-dupe and de-clutter

• Set segments now: LYBUNTs, monthly donors, first-time givers, etc.

• Note key donor details: preferred name, giving motivations, notes from meetings

4. Messaging and Storytelling Toolkit

Don’t wait until October to figure out how to describe your unrestricted funding needs.

Prep:

• Draft core message framework

• Develop 2–3 stories that show mission impact

• Prep a simple but strong case for support

• Align storytelling with donor values

• Create - or clean up - your story bank - stories that show mission impact you can reach for and use whenever needed

5. Calendar and Timeline

If it’s not on the calendar, it doesn’t exist.

Prep:

• Block key campaign dates (draft, design, print, mail, launch)

• Mark deadlines for email, social, and grants

• Build in buffer time for reviews and last-minute chaos

6. Systems and Tech Check

You do not want to discover that your donate button is broken on Giving Tuesday.

Prep:

• Test donation forms

• Check email list integrations

• Update your autoresponders and thank-you pages

7. The Grant File (aka the Anti-Meltdown Folder)

Institutional funders love a good attachment. You will not find that missing audit the night before submission.

Prep:

• Gather essentials: 990, board list, budget, key staff bios

• Write reusable language for mission, programs, and outcomes

• Keep a “common Q&A” doc for cut-and-paste efficiency

Why This Matters Now (Yes, Even in the Lazy Days of Summer)

July and August can feel like off-season. Donors are on vacation. Your inbox is suspiciously quiet. It’s tempting to coast.

But this is exactly the moment to do the work that makes everything easier later.

Future-you will be:

• Less frantic

• More confident

• More strategic

• Actually able to enjoy your coffee

When fall hits, you’ll be executing—not scrambling. And your donors? They’ll notice the difference.

How to Start Your Mise Today

No need to overdo it. Just start. Here’s a quick plan:

1. Schedule a 90-minute planning session this week (solo or with your team)

2. Audit last year’s fall calendar and campaigns

3. Meet with finance to confirm your fundraising goals

4. Do a CRM spot-check: pull 10 donor records and see what’s missing or messy

5. Draft or refresh your core messages

6. Create a fall fundraising folder with all key docs

Bonus: Set calendar reminders to check your progress monthly.

A Final Thought from October You

Picture this: It’s a crisp fall morning. The sun is shining. Your appeal letters are printed. Your segments are clean. Your donation form is working. Your boss is impressed. You sip your coffee and smile.

That’s not magic. That’s mise en place.

And it starts today.