Have you ever heard of the fundraising “summer slump”? It’s real and happening right now across North America.
Most (but not all) organizations experience a significant dip in their fundraising revenue during the summer months. It happens because their donors are busy with summer vacations and the breaks in their normal rhythms.
If your cause or organization doesn’t have a natural reason to fundraise during the summer, this could be a great time of year to be Reporting back to your major donors on the impact their previous gift is having on your beneficiaries.
So take the time this summer to visit with your major donors and Report back to them the amazing things that have happened because they gave you a gift earlier in the year.
And if you are unable to meet fact-to-face with your major donors, then send them a text that includes a picture of a beneficiary they helped. Or take a short video of a beneficiary or perhaps the building the donor helped build. Set aside time in your day to call your donors and give them a quick update.
By whatever means possible, Report back to your donors during the summer months. Why? Because now is a great time to close the loop with each of your donors, earn their trust, so that they will be ready to give another gift during the last few months of the year.