Year-End Appeals Could Raise the Funds You Need

Did you know that a large amount of donatiions are submitted to nonprofit organizations on the last two days of December?

It's not only the time of year when people are in the giving holiday spirit, Dec. 31 is also their last chance to make a donation and claim it on their upcoming U.S. tax return.

With this in mind, get to work encouraging year-end giving...

Send an email. Actually, send about four of them in the month of December, with the last one arriving in their in-boxes on Dec. 30.  Be clear and concise.  State the goal of your organization and how it relates to the reader.

Make a phone call. Call past donors to thank them for their past support and update them on your organization's work.

Publish a story. The week following Christmas is typically a slow news week.  Publish a positive story about your organization and how it's enriched the lives of others.

Mail a letter. Mail a written request for a donation. Again, tell the reader how your organization relates to them and what a donation would be used to accomplish.

Similarly, use newsletters, signs, your website, and announcements at public events to get your message across and make that final year-end appeal.