How to Maximize Your Year-End, Even If You’re Not on Track (Yet)!

If your fundraising numbers haven’t quite landed where you hoped this year, you’re not alone. Many organizations find themselves looking at ambitious year-end goals in the fall and wondering how to close the gap. The good news? Year-end giving season is the biggest opportunity of the year to re-engage supporters, rally your community, and finish strong.

Whether you’re a few thousand or a few hundred thousand dollars away from your goal, here are some proven ways to use these last weeks of the year to inspire generosity and strengthen donor relationships that will carry into the new year.

4 Steps to Maximize Your Year-End Giving

1. Understand the Big Picture. Before jumping into action, you need to understand your current position. How far are you from reaching your goal? Where have you had the most success this year; was it events, appeals, major gifts? Who are your biggest supporters that you can lean on? 

2. Segment and Prioritize. It’s crucial to put the right message in front of the right people right now. We recommend preparing an outreach strategy for the following segments:
   - LYBUNT (Last Year But Not This Year)
   - Consistent donors
   - Lapsed donors
   - First-time donors ‍

‍Download today’s freebie, Year End Appeal: Donor Segmentation Worksheet, for more practical guidance around this topic.

3. Lead With Connection and Stewardship. This is not the time for mass email blasts, but personalized outreach and phone calls. Engage your board and volunteers to reach out to every LYBUNT and ask for renewed support. Call every consistent donor and thank them personally–this may inspire a gift! Prepare some talking points so you have updates to give on the call. 

4. Tell Impactful Stories. Every communication should answer the question, why should I give now? Share stories that demonstrate the impact of your organization’s mission, and make sure to develop narratives that capture each sector of your work.
   
   

A friendly reminder that year-end results don’t just happen in the final stretch; they’re built on relationships and strategies developed over the entire year. This is a great time to maximize what’s possible now and start shaping your plans for a stronger start to the new year. If you need any support with your fundraising plan for next year, Evolve is here to help. Send me a message at jamie@evolvegg.com if you have any questions!