End of Year Wrap Up, Eval, Get Ready, Part 2
We’re Still Here, 4th Quarter
End of year fundraising, wrap-up, evaluation and getting ready for the new year is so important, it needs two newsletters.
Last month, October, you made your plan. You have a theme for your messaging, you had creative help, and you’ve asked your board of directors and colleagues to thank donors. Hopefully, everyone understands the importance of this end-of-year push, but even if they don’t, you still have work to do.
Now that many of us are back in our offices, at least some of the time, it’s good to have a visual reminder of the end-of-year appeal. I love a big whiteboard. It’s a great tool to illustrate the monies raised during the last 90-days of the year with a line graph. It also reminds everyone of the work we need to do this week to bring in more donations next week.
You have your messaging planned out, you’ve analyzed and segmented your donor database, and you’ve tested all the donation buttons on your website and socials. You’re ready!
Gratitude
Your first communications piece for your end-of-year appeal should not be a solicitation, but rather an expression of gratitude. A postcard, notecard, or letter (and/or their electronic version) should be sent out around the middle of November and no later than the week of Thanksgiving.
December is when it all comes together. Solicitations are delivered each week. Thank you’s are made as quickly as possible and your final appeal is made on December 31!
Thank You
We can’t say “thank you” enough. Be creative and genuinely grateful. Involve your board members, other volunteers, and if appropriate, your clients.
Wrap Up and Evaluate
Here are 3 questions to ask yourself as you wrap-up your end of year and plan for 2025:
- How have your goals, budgets, and services shifted this year?
- How well are you communicating with your donors?
- How can you offer your donors more ways to support your mission?
Good Luck!!
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