Can you feel the excitement? 2024 is almost over, and October signals the start of the fourth quarter—the most critical time of the year for nonprofits. It’s the perfect time for your board to shine and get energized about your fundraising efforts.
Before we jump into strategies for getting your board excited about raising those year-end dollars, let’s take a look at some eye-opening stats:
30% of all annual giving happens in December, with 10% of that occurring in the last three days of the year alone (Neon One)
In 2023, nonprofits participating in GivingTuesday raised over $3.1 billion in the U.S., making it one of the biggest fundraising days of the year (Neon One)
A staggering 53.8% of nonprofits begin their year-end appeals in October, while 46.2% start in November (DonorBox)
Online donations continue to grow, with 28% of all online contributions made via mobile devices and the average online donation reaching $204—a 15% increase year-over-year (DealAid).
67.4% of total charitable giving came from individual donors last year, contributing an impressive $326.87 billion (DealAid).
Use these powerful statistics to prepare your board and build momentum for a successful year-end fundraising campaign.
But first, let’s equip them! Be sure to share your Points of Pride (POP) Fundraising Toolkit. This should include:
Your case for support
Key talking points
Fundraising goals
A compelling story or video
An engaging infographic highlighting your community impact
Scroll and Roll Time! Have your board members scroll through their contacts and identify 5-10 people who would support your mission—whether it’s because they love your cause or simply because of who's asking. Provide them with a simple script and watch as they start inviting people to give!
Ready! Set! Go!
September: Set the Stage
Share past fundraising trends, new data, and goals
Involve them in your social media strategy
Communicate campaign start dates
Train them on any new fundraising tools or software
Provide an overview of your Q4 campaigns
Getting them involved early helps to get their buy-in, so they know what to expect as the excitement builds for the larger campaigns ahead.
October & November: Time to Shine
This is when your board and staff work together to execute campaigns with full force. With the right training and tools, your board can:
Reach out to donors via email, calls, and meetings
Use campaign materials to drive donations
Share compelling stories on social media
Update progress to donors and your team
Secure matching gifts through business connections
#GivingTuesday (December 3, 2024) should be a BIG day on your fundraising calendar. Engage your board members with a simple, impactful campaign like this:
✨ This #GivingTuesday, join us in creating a safe and supportive community for women of color in fundraising who often feel isolated and overlooked. Your gift to Fabulous Female Fundraisers empowers these incredible women by providing resources, mentorship, and a network that fosters leadership and personal and career growth. Together, we can uplift their voices and make a meaningful impact in the nonprofit sector. 💜💪🏽 #SupportWomen #Empowerment #GivingTuesday2024 www.fabfemalefundraisers.org
December: Finish Strong
After the excitement of #GivingTuesday, your board members can use the joyful spirit of December to inspire even more generosity. Encourage them to:
Use social media to share gratitude and holiday greetings
Promote campaigns widely to encourage participation
Follow up with potential donors to maintain excitement
With these final steps, your board can finish 2024 on a high note, achieving remarkable fundraising success! Every connection, story, and gift will amplify your organization’s impact. Let’s close the year strong, energized, and prepared to carry this momentum into an even more impactful 2025!
Christal M. Cherry, The Board Pro, partners with leaders to model effective, inclusive, and equitable board leadership. She facilitates board retreats, speaks at conferences, recruits and onboards board members, audits board documents, and coaches CEOs to work more harmoniously with their boards. Learn more at www.theboardpro.com.
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