As you reflect on the year coming to a close, now is the time to ramp up fundraising efforts to meet your nonprofit’s annual budget. A year end giving campaign is an opportunity to inspire your donors and raise critical funds to power your mission into the next year. With the rise of online crowdfunding platforms, you have more tools than ever to run a successful fundraising campaign.
By telling a compelling story, offering creative rewards and making it easy for donors to give at any level, you can motivate your supporters to give generously. An end of year campaign also allows you to express gratitude for your donors and highlight the impact of their gifts over the past year. With some planning and right messaging, you can finish the year strong and start a new one with momentum.
Table of Contents
What Is Year End Giving?
Year end giving campaigns encourage donors to make charitable contributions before the end of the tax year. For nonprofits, year end giving is crucial because a large portion of annual donations are received during this time.
Register Your Year End Campaign Here In Minutes!
Why Year End Giving Matters?
Around 30%-40% of annual charitable gifts are donated during the last few months of the year. Donors are motivated to give by the desire to claim tax deductions before December 31st. Nonprofits rely on these year end contributions to fund programs and operations for next year.
- Tax Incentives – Donors can claim charitable tax deductions for the current tax year. The sooner they donate, the sooner they can claim deductions.
- Sense Of Urgency – The looming year end giving deadline spurs donors into action. Nonprofits can leverage this by launching market campaigns promoting the urgency to give before time runs out.
- Increased Visibility – During the holidays, donors are generous and receptive to giving campaigns. Nonprofits gain more visibility and exposure, which can attract new donors.
Creative Year End Giving Campaign Ideas To Inspire Donors
To inspire donors and make your end of year giving campaign a success, consider these creative ideas.
1. Limited Time Matching Gift Challenge
Announce that donations received within the first week of your campaign will be matched by a sponsor up to a certain amount. This motivates the donors to give right away to take advantage of the match.
2. GivingTuesday Promotion
Tie your campaign to GivingTuesday, the global day of giving held each year on Tuesday after Thanksgiving. Offer special incentives or promotions on GivingTuesday to capture the spirit of giving. Your year end charitable giving campaign can start earlier and end later, using GivingTuesday to gain momentum.
3. Donor Choice Fundraising
Allow donors to choose which program or area their gift supports. This makes people feel more connected to the impact of their donation. Provide details on their options so donors can make informed choices.
4. Gamification
Using gaming elements like progress bars, achievement badges, and leaderboards to make donating feel more interactive and fun. For example, have donors compete, unlock badges, or fill a progress bar to reach a fundraising goal. Gamification taps into people’s competitive spirit and desire for rewards.
An end-of-year campaign is the perfect time to try new fundraising techniques. Get creative with your approach, share stories of impact, build a sense of urgency, and make giving feel meaningful. By inspiring your donors, you will inspire an outpouring of generosity.
End Of Year Giving Campaign With WhyDonate
Starting a year end giving campaign with a versatile crowdfunding platform can smoothen your fundraising efforts and allow you to invest your time in something important to you. WhyDonate is one of the best crowdfunding platforms that is not only the most affordable but also has tons of other features that are useful to any campaign creator without spending anything extra. The platform costs no registration fees and has fun options like custom branding, crafting thank you notes, and donation tax receipts.
Start Your Year End Fundraiser Now!
Best Practices For Writing Effective End Of Year Giving Appeals
To inspire donors and generate increased giving at the end of the year, crafting impactful end of year giving appeals is the key.
-
Share Specific Stories Of Impact
Highlighting specific individuals or communities that have benefitted from your organisation’s work tugs at donor’s heartstrings. Share stories of people whose lives were changed through your programs and services. Discuss tangible impacts and outcomes to demonstrate the meaningful change donors’ year end charitable giving will support.
-
Set A Motivating Fundraising Goal
Setting an ambitious yet achievable end of year fundraising target motivates donors by giving them a concrete goal to work toward together. Explain exactly how the funds will be used to advance your mission.
-
Express Gratitude
End each appeal by thanking your donors for their support and partnership in creating positive change. Let them know their gifts make a meaningful difference and are greatly appreciated by your organisation. Building a sense of shared purpose and impact will keep donors motivated, giving year after year.
Start Your End Of Year Giving Campaign Now
As you prepare for your end of year giving campaign, keep in mind that every donor matters and every penny counts in making a difference. Running an end of year fundraiser is challenging but also rewarding. Stay focused on your mission, believe in the power of community, and make the ask – your donors and those you serve will appreciate your effort.
