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Nonprofit Leaders 3min read

Don’t Panic, But the End of the Year Starts Now

Summer never lasts quite as long as we would like. In the blink of an eye, the sun and fun of summer festivals and events will be behind you, and the holidays will be fast approaching. August might as well be the end of the year, as far as planning is concerned. What are you doing to get ready for the holiday nonprofit fundraising season?

Get a Nonprofit Fundraising Plan In Place

More than half of nonprofits receive over 25% of their annual fundraising dollars between October and December, and the final three days of the year account for 12% of all giving. To ensure that your nonprofit fundraising efforts go off without a hitch when the holidays arrive, now is the time to finalize all of your plans.

12% of all giving happens in the last three days of the year.

Source: Network for Good

Solidify your goals for the upcoming holiday season. Come up with a strategic plan for making sure you reach said goals. If you will be holding fundraisers, use this opportunity to make calls and secure facilities, materials, and volunteers. By using your time wisely leading up to the big fundraising season,  you can ensure that your events will be a hit.

With your plan in place and the necessary prep work completed, you will be able to focus on more pertinent tasks during the last quarter of the year. Finishing preparations in advance will set you and your team up for success, and you will thank yourself later.

Prepare Modern Methods for Receiving Donations

With the biggest quarter of the year just around the corner, it’s important to get everything you need for your fundraising efforts now. That includes setting up any technology you will be using in the coming season. You wouldn’t want to kick off a fundraiser and immediately have problems accepting donations due to technology issues.

Sign up now for a mobile giving app, so that you can accept on-the-spot donations at every fundraiser you have on the horizon. Create campaigns in the app for each of your upcoming events, so that you can run a live Givelithon to boost incoming donations. By getting all of your technology ready early, you can prevent any mishaps from springing up on the day of your fundraiser.

Educate Your Staff and Volunteers

The team you bring together will be the backbone of your year-end fundraising efforts. Before donations begin rolling in, take the time to train your staff and volunteers. Make sure that everyone understands what your goals are for the season, as well as the strategic plan you have prepared. Educate your volunteers on your new fundraising technology, so they can better assist donors during events. Finally, familiarize yourself with the dashboard, so you can track incoming donations and keep an eye on your end goal.

Once all of your plans are in place and your team members are fully prepared, you will be ready to tackle the biggest nonprofit fundraising season of the year.

About the Author

Allison has a passion for charitable giving and believes that small acts of kindness can make the world a better place. She uses her web content and social media expertise to guide churches and nonprofits through the mobile fundraising process.

Allison Weaver