From Year-End to Fresh Start: Use Your Insights for Growth in 2025
Happy 2025. Typically, we love the start of a new year, a time when many non-profit organizations map out their marketing goals for the year ahead. With questions looming about the Trump administration’s plans for the non-profit sector, this year certainly feels a little different. One thing does remain constant: strong communications to individual donors will help any organization weather turbulent times.
Before you look too far into 2025, check out our latest blog with tips for 3 immediate steps you can take to get your fundraising communications in order for the new year:
Thoroughly review your end-of-year donor list: Often the list of donors who contributed to a small-dollar yearend campaign will contain useful intel. After a client’s end-of-year campaign closed, we combed through the list of donors who gave online and noticed that amid a multitude of $25, $50, and $100 donations there were a few that topped $1,000, including one for $10,000 and another for $25,000. Donors who sneak in at the end of the year with online gifts of this size are ripe prospects for offline cultivation.
Reflect on your messaging: As you look back on your end of year social posts and eblasts, what message seemed to resonate? Perhaps you tried some A/B testing and analytics to give you a strong sense of which notes and visuals hit and which fell flat. Now is an ideal time to hone your fundraising communications message and your visual identity. This way you will be ready to make a strong case for giving as the year progresses.
Create your fundraising communications calendar NOW! Yes, we know: The year just ended and you are exhausted. But the need to raise funds never takes a break and calendaring your 2025 goals and communications plans will pay off, we promise. With Valentine’s Day just around the corner followed by Passover and then gala season and graduation time, fundraising opportunities abound. Make the most of these opportunities.
Does your organization’s story need reframing? Are you in need of a website or branding refresh? Do you need to rethink how your message is landing with donors of different kinds? Let’s talk! hello@lizannehart.com.
