As the year winds down, most nonprofit teams are laser-focused on one thing: finishing strong. Year-end appeals, donor acknowledgments, and campaign wrap-ups can easily take over every to-do list.
But December isn’t just the end of your fundraising year: it’s your launchpad for the next one. While your 2025 results are still fresh, this is the ideal moment to pause, reflect, and set the stage for a stronger, more strategic 2026.
Here’s how your nonprofit can close out the year with purpose and start 2026 ahead of the curve.
1. Reflect on 2025: What Worked, What Didn’t
Before jumping into next year’s planning, take stock of what 2025 taught you. Gather your team for a quick debrief while the campaigns and results are still top of mind.
Ask:
- Which messages or appeals resonated most with your donors?
- Which channels (email, paid ads, social, direct mail) drove the most engagement or conversions?
- Where did you see donor fatigue or drop-off?
This reflection doesn’t have to be formal, even a one-hour “wins and lessons” session can surface valuable insights. The goal is to understand what connected with your supporters and what needs rethinking, so your 2026 planning starts with clarity.
2. Use Data to Guide 2026 Goals
Once you’ve gathered your insights, use them to shape next year’s roadmap.
- Set benchmarks early. Use 2025 data to define realistic performance goals, from donor retention rates to digital conversion targets.
- Spot opportunities. Maybe your recurring giving program grew faster than expected, or your emails performed better when personalized. Build on what’s working.
- Plan for experimentation. Identify one or two areas to test in Q1: new creative formats, audience segmentation, or upgraded automation, while momentum is high.
Starting 2026 with data-backed goals ensures every decision, dollar, and hour of effort is grounded in what actually moves your mission forward.
3. Steward Donors Through Tax Season
It can be tempting to fall into January winded after the giving rush, but it’s prime time for donor stewardship.
As supporters prepare for tax season, they’re thinking about their charitable giving. Take this as an opportunity to connect meaningfully:
- Send thank-you and tax receipt emails that do more than confirm donations. Reinforce your impact with a short story or stat that shows what their gift made possible.
- Offer helpful resources. Provide a brief reminder or downloadable summary on charitable tax deductions.
- Keep the gratitude flowing. A thoughtful follow-up in January can strengthen trust and encourage continued engagement all year long.
This small window is when many donors decide who they’ll support again, make sure your organization stays top of mind.
4. Get a Jump on Your 2026 Calendar
Once you’ve reflected and thanked your donors, turn that energy into planning.
Map out your major 2026 moments now, like Earth Day, Pride Month, GivingTuesday, or your annual gala, and sketch the campaigns that will anchor your year.
- Build a flexible content calendar. Plot key moments but leave room to adapt for timely issues or breaking news.
- Align early. Bring leadership, development, and communications together now to set shared goals before Q1 chaos hits.
- Start brainstorming. Use this quieter window to dream big on creative storytelling, new design directions, or cross-channel integrations.
Your 2026 planning doesn’t need to be perfect, it just needs a proactive start.
Final Thoughts
December isn’t just for year-end giving, it’s for intentional reflection, gratitude, and forward planning. By using these final weeks to steward donors, analyze your 2025 data, and map out next year’s priorities, your organization can enter 2026 with focus and momentum.
A little planning now means fewer surprises later and more time to do what truly matters: advancing your mission.
