Nonprofit Donations: Holiday Giving Makes Your Year
The final quarter of the year is the best for raising donations. Nonprofit workers are well aware of this fact.
Anecdotal evidence is one thing, but the numbers back up this perception:
Donors give 24% of their annual nonprofit donations between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day (Indiana University Center on Philanthropy 2012 Study)
About half of nonprofits receive over 25% of annual donations between October and December (Winter 2011 Nonprofit Fundraising Survey)
We know that donations increase around the holidays, but why? What exactly causes this sharp increase in giving?
Publicity for Nonprofit Donations
Beginning in November, volunteers dressed like Santa Claus pepper the streets. Fundraising ads appear on every TV channel. Acts of kindness spread like wildfire.
Giving to charity is widely publicized during the holiday season. The thought of giving back is on everyone’s mind. This awareness goes a long way in driving nonprofit donations.
Holiday Spirit
From October to December, holiday cheer is at an all-time high. Pumpkin spice items hit every restaurant. Stores start selling Christmas decorations. Those bell-ringing Santas appear on every corner.
Along with this holiday cheer comes a more profound interest in giving back. Happy people are more likely to give, according to a 2010 survey by the Charities Aid Foundation. When we feel good about life, we are far more likely to make nonprofit donations.
The Gift of Giving
The most common holiday activity is gift giving. Throughout the season, young children look forward to receiving presents. Adults, though, enjoy the act of giving itself. Making people happy feels great, doesn’t it? Making nonprofit donations to charity is just another way to get that gift-giving high.
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