Fall Planning Guide for Fundraisers
“A little planning today makes for a lot less stress tomorrow.”
Fall marks the beginning of the most important fundraising season of the year. Nearly one-third of all annual giving happens in December alone—but if you wait until October to start planning, you’ll likely find yourself scrambling. The result? Rushed appeals, stressed-out teams, and missed opportunities.
That’s why I created this simple roadmap to help you get through the year-end with clarity, confidence, and calm.
1. Map Out the Big Picture (September)
Start with strategy, not tactics.
Set clear fundraising goals.
Review last year’s results.
Choose your central theme or story.
Lay out a high-level timeline.
✨ Pro tip: Put every major task on a shared calendar so no one’s left guessing.
2. Build Your Toolkit Early (September–October)
The tools you prepare now will save you time later.
Draft your letters and emails.
Update your donation page.
Collect compelling photos and stories.
Prep thank-you templates.
✨ Pro tip: Create a shared content library so everything is in one place.
3. Segment and Schedule (October)
Make your outreach smarter and more effective.
Segment your donor lists.
Personalize messages for top donors.
Draft your full email and social schedule.
Plan for multi-channel outreach.
✨ Pro tip: Use automation to reduce last-minute stress.
4. Rally Your Team (October–November)
Fundraising is a team effort.
Engage your board and volunteers.
Assign clear roles.
Hold short, weekly check-ins.
✨ Pro tip: Delegate generously—don’t try to do it all yourself.
5. Pace Yourself in December
Year-end is busy, but it doesn’t have to mean burnout.
Batch work whenever possible.
Focus on the 80/20 rule.
Schedule breaks and self-care.
✨ Pro tip: Plan “done by” dates so you’re not writing copy on December 30.
6. Don’t Forget Gratitude (January)
A successful campaign ends with stewardship.
Send prompt thank-yous.
Share impact stories.
Hold a team debrief.
✨ Pro tip: Block the first two weeks of January for gratitude before diving into new projects.
Final Thought
With planning and pacing, you can raise more and stay sane. Start early, prepare your toolkit, and delegate where you can—the result will be a joyful, high-impact year-end appeal.
Here’s an infographic you can download and print to keep yourself on track.
👉 Want step-by-step guidance and a community of support? Check out my 30-Day Year-End Appeal Kickstart program.
