For busy fundraisers, the festive season starts long before the 1st of December, with some charities planning their December events more than a year in advance. However, we know not everyone has that luxury! Smaller organisations with less time to plan can still make the most of the giving season. To help, we’ve put together this checklist for 12 days of major gift fundraising.
Day 1: Segment your donor list to personalise your festive messages.
Day 2: Celebrate the volunteers who contribute to your fundraising success.
Day 3: Send thank-you notes, cards, or small gifts to your major donors.
Day 4: Organise calls between your board members and the donors they’ve connected with.
Day 5: Ask for donor feedback and use the insights to guide your 2025 strategy.
Day 6: Share a festive team video thanking donors for their contributions.
Day 7: Send your donors an end-of-year round-up highlighting successes and impact.
Day 8: Start a gratitude tree with thank-you notes from beneficiaries or staff to donors.
Day 9: Spotlight donors (with their permission) in your newsletter, blogs, and social media.
Day 10: Promote planned giving – use the festive season to discuss a variety of giving options.
Day 11: Update your donor database for easier outreach in the new year.
Day 12: Use your connections – ask major donors or volunteers to share your cause and encourage their networks to make an end-of-year gift.
Will 2025 be the year you discover your major gift fundraising potential? If so, we’re here to help. At Prospecting for Gold, we specialise in research, wealth screening, consultancy and regulatory compliance, making fundraising more effective and successful.
Get in touch to get started on your research-based fundraising journey.