Alas, the fury of year-end fundraising planning is here. The reminders, resources, and recommendations are once again flooding in-boxes. To cut through the noise, I provided a simple “pick three” campaign strategy back in 2022 to ease the overload. But this year I’m introducing a twist. Instead of more planning advice, let’s play a game. It’s called Year-End Campaign Bingo!
You’ve likely mapped your campaign strategy, so let’s put it to the test. How many of the recommended campaign elements have you incorporated into your initiatives? Fifteen or more and you’re ahead of the pack. All twenty? You’re a fundraising fire starter and campaign champion!
If you score between 15 and 20 elements, all hail the fundraising unicorn! You deserve a prize. Email a copy or screenshot of your completed bingo card to me by Friday, December 13, 2024. I’ll send you a fun token and you’ll win an early release of my new book focused on digital fundraising transformation (coming early 2025!)
For those who find themselves overwhelmed by the tactics on the bingo card, worry not. I’ve mapped them out below from essential to nice-to-have to icing on the cake. This will help prioritize the most important campaign elements and assist with future planning geared toward growth.
If you haven’t even thought about creating a year-end fundraising campaign, consider this: most organizations raise 30-40% of their total annual revenue in December with 10% typically raised on the last three days of the year. If you need help or have questions, ping me! I just created a first-time year-end digital campaign plan for a small arts organization and I can help you too.
And now: the recommended year-end campaign elements mapped by level…
Essential
- Fundraising Emails – Numerous fundraising emails sent throughout the campaign time frame.
- Campaign Donation Form – A branded, streamlined, and mobile friendly donation form.
- Dec. 31 Emails – Multiple, urgent emails planned for the last day of the year.
- Campaign Goal – Monetary goal amount for the campaign.
- Countdown – Offers donor urgency. Emphasizes deadlines, either midnight or campaign end.
- Campaign Landing Page – Webpage exclusively featuring the campaign details.
- Direct Mail – Incorporating letters or postcards into campaign messages.
Campaign Boosters
- Personalized Emails – Personal elements in email copy: name, giving history, town of residence.
- Matching Gift – Can be a donor match, a community fund or challenge grant.
- Testimonials – Donor, client, or partner stories to enhance messaging.
- Boosted Posts – Paid social media posts boosted for acquisition and reach
- Paid Ads – Includes paid display ads, search, social or remarketing ads.
- Welcome Series – Automated emails for new donors or subscribers.
- Giving Tuesday Emails – Multiple emails sent before, during, and after Giving Tuesday.
Campaign Accelerators
- Ambassadors – Volunteers or board members helping with campaign promotion.
- Targeted Ads – Ads using audience segmentation or targeted by interest.
- Custom Email Copy – Segmentation to personalize the copy, i.e. donor vs. non-donor.
- Video Elements – Video ads, posts, thank you messages or social stories.
- Donor Incentive – A thank you gift, special invitation or donor benefit.
- Texting – Utilizing text messages to give or to engage audiences.
If you find yourself in a state of anxiety over planning, refer to my post several years ago: Four Tips to Alleviate Year-End Panic.
If you find yourself in a state of anxiety over just about anything else, consider downloading my Nonprofit Professional’s De-Stressor Bingo Game for a bit of relief.
Don’t Forget: Claim Your Prize
If you have between 15 and 20 elements on your bingo card, you get a prize! Email a copy or screenshot of your bingo card to me by December 10, 2024. A fun token and early release of my new book will be yours.
I wish you the best of luck on your year-end campaign efforts and a happy holidays to you and yours!
