December should be your best giving month, by a large margin. Last year, donors in the US gave $177 billion in December alone. How much of that money did your organization receive? Could you have used more? 

Unfortunately,  I see organizations make the same mistake over and over: they treat their year-end appeal like an afterthought.

But November/December is the single most significant giving window of the year for nonprofits and churches. The difference between a solid effort and a mediocre one can mean tens—or even hundreds—of thousands of dollars lost.

Let me help you think through your year-end push. Here’s a quick checklist as you prepare your appeal:

Is your ask compelling and clear? Can it be explained in the simplest terms—“$35 feeds one child for a week,” “$100 sponsors one family,” etc.?

Multi-channel communication: Letter, email, postcard, text. Don’t rely on a single channel.

Planned frequency: First touch, follow-ups, reminders. A one-and-done letter won’t cut it.

Incentives: Matching gifts, challenge gifts, or premiums tied to giving levels can dramatically lift response.

Emotional storytelling: People give to people, not organizations. Is your story powerful enough to move someone to act right now?

The truth is, most organizations miss at least one of these. And when you do, you’re leaving money on the table.

That’s where my team comes in. We’ve helped hundreds of organizations multiply the effectiveness of their year-end campaigns. Our expertise will pay for itself several times over in additional gifts.

So ask yourself: do you want to risk doing it alone and getting average results? Or do you want to partner with experts and maximize the most important giving season of the year?

Let’s talk. If you don’t have a strong year-end plan in place yet, we can help you succeed. Click Here to contact us.