Giving season’s here! It’s time to engage donors
The end of 2024 is rapidly approaching, and you know what that means: You need to fundraise in earnest. According to Double the Donation, 30% of all charitable giving occurs in December. Make sure your not-for-profit organization is top of mind when people pull out their credit cards and checkbooks.
Improve visibility
Only donors who itemize deductions on their 2024 federal income tax return can deduct donations made by Dec. 31. But plenty of others are motivated by the “holiday spirit” to give. And some prospective donors may simply use the calendar as a reminder to make their charitable contributions for the year. To help ensure the charitably minded know you want — and need — their support:
Take part in Giving Tuesday. Since launching in 2012, Giving Tuesday has grown swiftly to become one of the world’s biggest fundraisers. The online event is held on the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving — Dec. 3 in 2024. In 2023, 34 million Americans participated by volunteering and donating, including giving $3.1 billion to nonprofits. If you aren’t set up to participate, go to givingtuesday.org for information.
Focus on a theme or goal. Create a giving campaign around a fun participatory theme (one example being the ALS Association’s Ice Bucket Challenge). Or focus on a specific goal, such as constructing a new facility or introducing a new program.
Check your records. Reach out to supporters whom your records reveal have habitually made year-end contributions. You can also segment your donor database according to gift size and other characteristics that suggest some past donors may be more willing to give now.
Share your stats. Analytics can engage and motivate nonprofit stakeholders, so use statistics and infographics in your year-end appeals. Stats can illustrate your organization’s historical fundraising patterns and current goals. If you update them on your website, supporters will be able to follow your progress through a particular season or campaign.
Be prepared
Attracting support is only part of a successful fundraising season. You also have to make sure you’re equipped to handle donations.
To that end, test the donation page on your website to confirm it’s easy to navigate and ready for donors to input financial information. Your site should adhere to the highest security protocols, load quickly, and be free of dead links and error messages. Ensure your donation app sends emails to thank donors and provide them with a record for tax purposes.
Also critical: being ready to process any available matching gifts. According to Double the Donation, most companies that offer to match their employees’ charitable gifts donate at a 1:1 ratio — but some are known to go as high as 4:1. You can’t afford to miss out! Provide contributors with instructions on how to request matches. Also, set up automated emails to remind donors if you don’t receive a match.
Learn from success
Finally, be sure you document everything you learn — including what works and what doesn’t — this giving season. Contact us for more ideas on boosting your nonprofit’s income.
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