Why Now’s the Time to Inspire Generosity
Even with all the economic uncertainty right now, there are still people who want to support the nonprofits doing good in their communities. For many fundraisers, year-end is a prime time to encourage donors to make their charitable gifts – often reminding them that giving by December 31 can also help when tax season rolls around.
While there have been plenty of changes to tax laws and charitable deductions, that doesn’t mean you should give up on your year-end push. In fact, for donors who typically make larger gifts, there’s an incentive to give before 2025 ends – before new laws take effect in 2026. Financial institutions like Fidelity, JPMorgan, and DAFgiving360 (formerly Schwab Charitable) have shared some great insights on this. Read JPMorgan’s Insights Here.
But beyond the technical side of giving, the holidays naturally put people in a generous spirit. It’s a great time to share why your mission matters and how their support makes an impact. People want to feel connected to something meaningful – and what better time than during the giving season?
If you’ve looked at the annual Giving USA reports, you know that individual giving still makes up the majority of charitable donations. Building genuine relationships continues to be the strongest way to fundraise. Whether your organization is in one of the top-giving sectors like religion or human services or a smaller organization meeting a local need, there are always people who believe in your mission. Don’t be afraid to reach out to them.
GivingTuesday can be hit or miss, but like anything else, it’s all about strategy. Whether you raise $500 or $5,000, it’s still more than if you hadn’t tried at all.
All in all, this season is a time for people to come together and support causes they care about. Take advantage of that energy – put a plan in place, connect with your supporters, and share the impact their generosity makes.
If you’re not sure where to start with your year-end messaging or just want a sounding board for your ideas, I’m always happy to chat.