Don’t Skip September: A Fundraising Advantag

When most nonprofits think about year-end fundraising, their attention immediately shifts to November and December. Giving Tuesday. Holiday appeals. End-of-year campaigns.

But here’s a surprising truth: September sending delivers outsized value — and it may be the hidden key to boosting year-end performance. This insight comes as a preview from our upcoming 2025 Insights Report, which will be released in October 2025.

Why September Matters More Than You Think

The Calm Before the Storm

September falls before the peak fundraising rush. Donors aren’t yet overwhelmed with appeals, which means your message has a higher chance of being noticed and acted upon.

Priming for Year-End

Supporters who receive a thoughtful September message — whether it’s a story, a thank-you, or a light fundraising appeal — are far more responsive when they see your Giving Tuesday or December campaigns. Early engagement builds familiarity and trust.

Data from High-Performing Campaigns

Our analysis shows that nonprofits that maintained consistent September sending saw noticeably stronger open and response rates in Q4. September isn’t a warm-up month; it’s a launchpad.

What to Send in September

• Storytelling & Impact Updates: Share a donor story, a mission milestone, or a quick video from the field.
• Soft Appeals: Position it as “help us prepare for the busy months ahead.”
• Engagement Messages: Polls, surveys, or thank-you notes that invite two-way interaction.

These aren’t “one-off” messages. They’re investments in donor readiness and loyalty.

How SMS Amplifies September Sending

• 99% open rates ensure your warm-up messages land.
• Personalized segmentation (powered by AI) allows you to re-engage lapsed donors or prime loyal supporters with the right message at the right time.
• Permission-based trust means your early communications build anticipation instead of fatigue.

Don’t Miss the September Advantage

Too many nonprofits wait until November to begin their Giving Season campaigns — by then, inboxes are crowded and donors are stretched.

By showing up in September, you:

• Get ahead of the noise.
• Strengthen donor relationships before asking for more.
• Drive higher ROI in your most critical months.

Start sending in September. Your year-end fundraising will thank you.