Each month, we deliver fresh, seasonal ideas and practical action items tailored for small nonprofits. Whether you’re planning events, engaging donors, or boosting your outreach, we’ve got you covered with timely tips and inspiration. Plus, download the workbook to use all month long—perfect for staying organized and on track!
Let’s Dig in to the October Nonprofit Monthly Planning Workbook
October is a high-activity month for nonprofits. Fall campaigns are underway, events are in full swing, and it’s prime time to deepen donor relationships before the year-end rush. It’s also a great month for storytelling, service, and creative engagement.
Key Holidays & Observances
Use these dates to spark content ideas and plan around times that may affect engagement or scheduling. Includes civic, cultural, and religious holidays. Always check for other major observances that may vary by year.
Fall Harvest & Halloween Season – Ideal for themed events, community drives, and volunteer fun
ADHD Awareness Month
Adopt a Shelter Dog Month
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Blindness Awareness Month
National Disability Employment Awareness Month
Domestic Violence Awareness Month
National Bullying Prevention Month
National Youth Justice Awareness Month
National Book Month
National Depression and Mental Health Screening Month
Filipino American History Month
LGBT+ History Month
National Hispanic Heritage Month continued – Ends October 15
National School Bus Safety Week – Third week of October
National Teen Driver Safety Week – Third week of October
International Music Day – October 1
World Vegetarian Day – October 1
World Habitat Day – First Monday of October
Donor Advised Fund (DAF) Day – October 9
World Mental Health Day – October 10
Indigenous Peoples’ Day – Second Monday of October
World Sight Day – Second Thursday of October
Make a Difference Day – Fourth Saturday of October
Halloween – October 31
Rosh Hashanah – Falls in September or October
Yom Kippur – Falls in September or October
Sukkot – Falls in September or October
Navaratri / Durga Puja – Falls in September or October
Diwali – Falls in October or November
Themes this month include safety, awareness, mental health, creativity, community service, and fall celebration.
Post about an upcoming event, fundraiser, or campaign milestone
Encourage supporters to get involved or share your message
Week 4: Service & Fall Fun Theme: Impact & Celebration
Join Make a Difference Day by spotlighting volunteers or service projects
Share fall-themed photos or stories
Post a fun Halloween message or costume contest from your team, program, or volunteers
Bonus Tip for Nonprofits:
October is your opportunity to stand out before the holiday noise—through smart giving and strong storytelling. Focus on engagement, education, and momentum. Help donors plan ahead by highlighting options like Donor Advised Funds and other tax-wise giving tools. A little guidance now, paired with mission-driven stories, can lead to deeper connections and stronger year-end support.
Look Ahead
November: A powerful month for gratitude, generosity, and impact. Between seasonal giving traditions, national awareness observances, and Giving Tuesday, it’s a peak opportunity to connect with your community and rally support before year-end.
October Nonprofit Checklist
Fundraising & Donor Engagement
Launch or sustain your fall campaign
Finalize all Giving Tuesday creative and logistics
Begin teasing Giving Tuesday with “save the date” or theme reveals
Educate donors about Donor Advised Funds leading up to DAF Day
Share a story that ties into an October awareness theme (e.g., health, safety, youth)
Host a donor thank-you moment or highlight recent impact
Programs & Events
Run or promote fall events (in-person or virtual)
Participate in Make a Difference Day through service or recognition
Tie programs into seasonal or awareness month themes
Communications
Post donor education content around DAFs—how they work and how to give
Highlight observances that align with your mission (e.g., Domestic Violence Awareness, Disability Employment, Mental Health)
Share content with fall visuals, behind-the-scenes shots, or campaign progress
Schedule teasers for Giving Tuesday and your year-end campaign
Internal Planning
Review Q4 goals and final fundraising targets
Prepare gratitude messaging and donor thank-you content for November
Organize campaign materials, visuals, and content for smooth execution
Meet with your team to align roles and priorities for the year’s final push
Nonprofit Planning Workbooks
SEPTEMBER
September kicks off a busy and meaningful season for nonprofits. As summer ends and routines resume, it’s the perfect time to re-engage donors, launch fall campaigns, and spotlight your impact.Download Your September Workbook
AUGUST
August is your nonprofit’s springboard into the busy fall season. While things may still feel quiet externally, this is the month to wrap up summer, re-engage supporters, and lay the groundwork for your most important campaigns of the year.Download Your August Workbook
JULY
July is a quieter month in terms of fundraising, but it’s a prime opportunity for internal resets, strategic planning, light stewardship, and summer storytelling. Whether your nonprofit just kicked off a new fiscal year or is simply riding the mid-year wave, July is your chance to regroup and prepare for the busy fall season.Download Your July Workbook
JUNE
June is a “wrap-and-refresh” month for many nonprofits—especially those closing out their fiscal year at the end of June. It’s a time to finish strong, kick off summer programming, and prepare for a fresh start in July. Whether or not your organization follows a July–June fiscal calendar, this guide helps you stay on track and aligned with the season.Download Your June Workbook
MAY
May is a transitional month for many nonprofits—wrapping up spring efforts, ramping up for summer programs, and laying the groundwork for fall. Whether you’re focused on fundraising, volunteer engagement, or program planning, this guide will help you make the most of May.Download Your May Workbook
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