Nonprofit

Fundraising Tip: January Relationship Building and Fundraising

January can be a great month for your annual fundraising.

Author at a Chamber of Commerce event. Photo credit: Author

As much work as we put into fundraising in December, we know that our efforts cannot stop in January.

I hope you were able to take some time off and practice self care during the last (and busiest month) of fundraising. If not, be sure to take some time this week.

January can mean different things to different fundraising teams, depending on when your yearend is. If yearend is December, then you have some breathing room. If yearend is June, you’re half-way through.

Before I continue, I’m a nonprofit fundraising professional who believes that there is always time for breathing room.

Regardless of when your yearend is, it’s a good idea to reach out to donors who have consistently donated in December, but did not this past December. Time flies, and they most likely forgot. It’s up to us to engage with them and ask about a donation.

January is also a good time to send donors personal emails about how the past year was for your organization, the successes and the challenges. Within that email remind them of their impact, and say thank you.