Your Mid-Year Check-In: Questions Every Nonprofit Should Ask Right Now

Midway through the year is a natural moment for nonprofit leaders to pause and take stock. With the constant demands of programming, fundraising, and managing teams, it's easy to get swept up in daily operations and lose sight of your organization's bigger picture. That's why a mid-year check-in can be so powerful. It's a chance to reflect, recalibrate, and set your team up for a strong finish to the year.

Keep reading for five essential questions to guide your mid-year check-in and set your team up for a strong second half.

Are We Still Aligned With Our Mission and Values?

Start by revisiting your mission and values. Even the most purpose-driven organizations can find themselves drifting from their core purpose when things get busy. Take a moment to examine your mission statement and compare it to your current programs, communications, and campaigns.

Are your daily activities truly aligned with your values? Don't feel discouraged if you spot areas that have wandered off course. View it as an opportunity to reprioritize and reconnect your actions with your intentions. For example, maybe a popular annual event is taking up significant resources but isn't advancing your mission. Shifting focus to a more impactful program may yield greater results and renew enthusiasm from your team.

Remember, you're looking for areas where the "why" and the "what" are out of sync.

What's Working, and How Can We Build On It?

Next, celebrate what's working well. Every nonprofit has bright spots, perhaps a campaign that exceeded expectations, a new partnership gaining momentum, or a donor strategy that's resonating. Take time to identify these wins, whether they show up in your data or in stories from the field. Ask yourself what factors contributed to their success, and consider how you might replicate or scale those efforts. For instance, you might notice your virtual workshops are drawing much higher engagement than in-person events, presenting an opportunity to expand your online offerings and reach even more participants.

Keep in mind, a win is a win. Don't get so caught up in engagement metrics that you miss out on qualitative wins from your community or team.

Where Are We Stuck, and What's Behind It?

Of course, not everything goes according to plan. If you feel stuck in a particular area, dig into the root causes. Is it a matter of limited staff time, outdated systems, unclear goals, or perhaps a funding gap? Sometimes, what appears to be a minor operational hiccup is actually a symptom of a larger structural issue. Bringing in perspectives from across your team can help uncover hidden roadblocks and spark creative solutions.

A recent client, for example, struggled with a lagging fundraising campaign until they realized that unclear messaging was confusing donors. A quick refresh of their communications made all the difference.

Bringing in different perspectives from every level and department of the organization is a proven strategy. A "small" problem to leadership might be a huge barrier to other staff.

How Are We Doing Financially, and What's Our Next Move?

Financial health is another area that deserves close attention at mid-year. Take a fresh look at your fundraising plan alongside your actual numbers. Are you on track to meet your revenue goals? Consider refreshing your donor outreach, experimenting with a new campaign, or adjusting your revenue projections if there's a gap.

It's also important to look beyond the numbers: Are your appeals resonating with supporters? Are you retaining donors or simply acquiring new ones? After spotting a dip in recurring gifts, an organization we worked with launched a targeted stewardship campaign and quickly saw improvements.

Is your messaging resonating? Have donor retention efforts kept up? If yes, keep going! If not, it's the perfect time to pivot.

What Does Success Look Like By Year-End?

Finally, clarify what success will look like by year's end. Identify one or two priorities that matter most for the next few months. This clarity helps your team focus, manage expectations, and make confident decisions. It also makes it easier to communicate with your board, funders, and community about where you're headed and why it matters.

Get crystal clear about your Q3–Q4 roadmap. Then, communicate it widely with staff, your board, and key partners.

Need a sounding board for your mid-year check-in or strategy refresh?

A mid-year check-in doesn't need to be a heavy lift. With the right questions and a willingness to reflect, you can gain valuable clarity and momentum for the months ahead.

If you'd like a sounding board, a strategy refresh, or help turning insights into action, the team at Strategic Disruption Consulting is here to help. Book a free consultation with us, and let's prep for greater ROI in the coming months.