High-impact year-end fundraising strategies: Reasons to watch the webinar

As the year comes to a close, the pressure is on to maximize donations, participation, and engagement. In a recent webinar, James Goalder, Manager of Partnerships at Bloomerang; Mike Beville, CRO at Amilia; and Karina Huertas, Senior Account Executive shared actionable strategies that can make your year-end fundraising campaigns more effective. From Giving Tuesday to end-of-year campaigns, these experts offered practical tips to inspire donors, engage members, and drive results — and here’s why you should watch the full webinar.

1. Start Early for Year-End Campaigns

Timing is crucial for year-end fundraising success. Many organizations wait too long, thinking a single email on Giving Tuesday will be enough. In reality:

• Launch campaigns weeks in advance, starting right after Halloween.
• Plan 3–5 touchpoints leading up to Giving Tuesday, including emails, social media posts, and direct mail.
• Emphasize that every donation counts, no matter the size.

“If you wait too long and just make it a single communication, your conversion rate will be low,” noted Mike.

2. Personalize and Humanize Your Outreach

Year-end campaigns are about more than just hitting donation goals — they’re about building relationships. Tips from the webinar:

• Send personalized messages thanking supporters for past contributions.
• Share real impact stories about your programs and the people they benefit.
• Segment audiences — members-only, donors-only, and those who are both — to ensure messaging is relevant.

“The number one reason people don’t give a second year is because they weren’t thanked,” said Mike.

3. Leverage Timely Moments to Ask for Donations

During the busy year-end period, donors are most likely to give when they’re already engaged:

• Encourage donations during membership checkout, class registration, or events.
• Even small asks — $10, $20, or $30 — can drive big results.
• Use these opportunities to move one-time supporters into repeat donors.

Karina shared: “Rec organizations having an average 83.5% conversion at checkout is astronomical. Leverage that for fundraising purposes.”

4. Make Giving Easy with Digital Convenience

Donors expect smooth, fast, and modern giving experiences, especially during year-end campaigns:

• Test your donation flow before launching. Ensure all options, including processing fees, are clear.
• Accept Venmo, Apple Pay, and Google Wallet, in addition to traditional payment methods.
• Highlight how donations make a difference, giving supporters confidence that their contributions matter.

“If it’s hard for your donors to donate, they probably won’t,” emphasized James.

5. Focus on Retention Before Acquisition

Year-end campaigns are a perfect time to solidify relationships with existing donors:

• Raising $1 from an existing donor costs roughly $0.25; from a new donor, about $1.30.
• First-time donors are retained at only 20%, so follow-up communications are essential.
• Use newsletters, updates, and personalized messaging to keep supporters engaged.

Poor communication is the main reason donors stop giving. Staying in touch matters.

6. Tell Compelling Year-End Stories

People give to people, not organizations. Year-end campaigns provide the perfect opportunity to:

• Highlight program success stories and impact on real lives.
• Use measurable outcomes to show exactly how donations are making a difference.
• Respect privacy while sharing inspiring stories.

James shared: “When you get emotionally invested in the story, donors are more likely to continue engaging and giving.”

7. Quick Year-End Wins You Can Implement Today

Even small adjustments can have big effects:

• Add a checkout donation option for members signing up for classes or programs.
• Train staff on messaging and how to talk to members and donors about giving.
• Launch a short-term campaign with a clear goal and compelling purpose.

These small steps can amplify your year-end fundraising success without adding a lot of extra work.

8. The Three Non-Negotiables for Year-End Success

To wrap up, focus on:

• Segmentation – Know your audiences and communicate strategically.
• Education – Show donors why their contributions matter.
• Experience – Make every interaction meaningful, easy, and rewarding.

“These three strategies together ensure sustained engagement and long-term support,” said Mike.

Key Takeaways for Year-End Campaigns

• Start early and plan multiple touchpoints.
• Personalize messaging and humanize communications.
• Take advantage of timely engagement moments.
• Make giving convenient and digital-friendly.
• Prioritize retention to maximize long-term impact.
• Tell compelling stories to connect donors emotionally.
• Implement small, high-impact quick wins now.

Your year-end fundraising campaigns can make a real difference for your organization and the community you serve. Implementing these strategies now will help you boost giving, strengthen engagement, and set your organization up for success in the new year.