The ultimate end-of-year fundraising checklist for nonprofits

The end of the year is one of the most important times for nonprofit fundraising. In fact, 30% of all annual giving happens in the month of December, and 10% of donations come in during the last three days of the year. With so much generosity concentrated in this short window, thoughtful planning can make a big difference in your impact.
A successful year-end campaign starts with preparation. Whether this is your first campaign or your tenth, having a clear plan helps your nonprofit organization stay focused and make the most of the year-end giving season.
This year-end fundraising checklist will guide you through every step, from outlining your goals and launching your campaign to thanking donors and preparing for next year. Use it to stay organized, build stronger relationships, and end the year on a high note.
Plan your campaign
Planning is the foundation of a successful year-end fundraising effort. This stage is all about setting your direction: deciding what you want to achieve, how you’ll get there, and who will help make it happen. A well-planned campaign keeps your team aligned, ensures your messages are consistent, and helps you stay focused during the busiest months of the year.
Before the first email goes out, take time to build a strong foundation. Use these steps to set clear goals, coordinate your team, and create a roadmap that will guide every part of your campaign.
Execute your campaign
Once your fundraising plan is in place, it’s time to bring your year-end campaign to life. The execution phase is where strategy turns into action: your messages go out, your campaign page goes live, and your supporters begin to engage.
This stage is about visibility and consistency. The goal is to keep your campaign in front of donors during one of the busiest giving seasons of the year, using clear communication and a strong online presence to inspire generosity. Every touchpoint, whether it’s an email, social media post, or printed fundraising appeal, should reflect your campaign’s focus and connect donors to your mission.
Use the following fundraising tips to ensure your outreach is coordinated and your campaign page is polished.
Communication strategy
Campaign page essentials
Follow up and steward your donors
Your campaign doesn’t end when the donations come in. The follow-up phase is equally as important as the ask itself. Stewardship—the process of thanking donors, showing impact, and nurturing relationships—is what turns one-time gifts into recurring donations.
This step helps donors feel appreciated and confident that their gift made a real difference. It also lays the foundation for future donor engagement, whether that means another donation, volunteering, or even launching a peer-to-peer fundraising campaign next year.
Use these steps to close your campaign on a strong note and build lasting connections with your supporters.
Strengthen next year’s results with smarter donor management
When the giving season winds down, take time to pause and reflect. Reviewing your year-end campaign results is about learning what worked, what didn’t, and how to strengthen your strategy for next year. Look closely at your metrics, from total dollars raised to donor retention rates, and record your insights in a shared recap so your team can refine its approach rather than start fresh each year.
Celebrate your wins, too. Share key results and impact stories in your annual report or donor updates to remind supporters how their gifts made a difference. Recognizing their role in your success helps strengthen relationships and inspire continued giving.
By pairing thoughtful reflection with strong donor management practices, you’ll set your organization up for even greater success in the year ahead. And with the right tools, the process can be even simpler and more effective.
Schedule a demo today to learn how GoFundMe Pro’s fundraising platform can help you streamline your workflow, engage donors, and make your next year-end campaign easier.
Copy editor: Ayanna Julien
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