Plan for planned giving
August is National Make a Will month, and the perfect time to mail a postcard or letter inviting donors to consider your organization when doing their estate planning. Include a QR code to your planned giving webpage as well as a personal contact that donors can reach out to for help with the process.
Introduce a “summer pledge”
Charitable giving during the summer is not always top of mind for donors. On top of that, you likely will be mailing them less during these months. A “summer pledge” appeal tackles both these challenges by asking donors to pledge a gift each month of the season—or to even share an extra-generous gift to cover the entire summer. The package includes three or four gift vouchers and matching reply envelopes for each month. This message can tie in perfectly with monthly giving pushes.
Reach out to your mid-level donors
Donors giving above a certain level will likely have a stronger vested interest in your organization’s work, and how you’re putting their gift to use. Target your best mid-level donors and prospects over the summer with a unique appeal that speaks to their interests and takes them “behind the curtain” of your work. Mailing a smaller group will be less expensive, and these engaged supporters are more likely to pay attention when they see your logo in their mailbox.
Thank your supporters
A purely transactional relationship will start to feel stale, so make sure donors know you appreciate them! Use the summer for stewardship by mailing a simple letter or postcard that shares some impact stats, quotes, and reminds donors how important they are to your mission.
Print ahead for summer months
Gang printing an extra quantity of a successful acquisition package or evergreen renewal appeal during the first half of the year will save you time and money. Bringing down the overall cost of summer mailings will improve your ROI and allow you to budget more for mailings during crucial times of the year like year-end.
If you’d like help putting these tips (and more!) into action, reach out to Faircom New York today. Our experienced team can work with your budget and program to make the most of every season. It’s never too early to start planning for next summer!