December is one of the most important months on the nonprofit calendar. GivingTuesday kicks things off on December 1, year end fundraising moves into high gear, and your supporters are thinking about generosity, community, and the causes that matter most to them.
This month is about finishing strong without making every communication another ask. Fundraise with purpose, show supporters what they helped accomplish in 2026, say thank you often, and prepare now for the relationships you want to strengthen in 2027.
NEW FOR DECEMBER 2026: What Nonprofits Should Be Thinking About This Month
Turn GivingTuesday Donors Into Long Term Supporters:GivingTuesday can introduce a whole new group of people to your organization. Have a plan for what happens after the gift, including a prompt thank you, an introduction to your work, and meaningful communication in January.
Make Year End Giving Easy:December donors may find you through email, social media, search, or a forwarded message from a friend. Test your entire giving experience on desktop and mobile, including donation forms, campaign links, confirmation pages, recurring gift options, and automated receipts.
Show Donors Exactly What Their Gifts Can Do:Specificity makes fundraising more meaningful. Connect giving levels to real outcomes when possible and show supporters what their generosity can make possible. Keep examples accurate, respectful, and connected to your mission.
Balance Urgency With Gratitude:Yes, December 31 matters. But your supporters should hear more than “give now” all month long. Mix fundraising appeals with thank you messages, impact stories, campaign updates, and reminders of what your community accomplished together in 2026.
Let’s Dig in to the December Nonprofit Monthly Planning Workbook
Awareness Holidays & Observances
Use these awareness dates to create thoughtful and mission aligned content.
Universal Human Rights Month
National Giving Month
National Impaired Driving Prevention Month
GivingTuesday, December 1
World AIDS Day, December 1
Special Education Day, December 2
International Day of Persons with Disabilities, December 3
Hanukkah, December 4 through December 12
International Volunteer Day, December 5
Human Rights Day, December 10
Christmas Day, December 25
Kwanzaa, December 26 through January 1
New Year’s Eve, December 31
Themes this month include generosity, gratitude, dignity, inclusion, community, reflection, celebration, and hope.
Key December Priorities
Launch and follow up on your GivingTuesday campaign.
Keep year end fundraising moving throughout the month.
Thank donors, volunteers, board members, staff, and community partners.
Share stories that demonstrate your organization’s 2026 impact.
Make your December giving experience simple and mobile friendly.
Promote matching gifts, recurring gifts, and tribute giving when appropriate.
Keep donors informed about progress toward year end goals.
Prepare January stewardship for new and existing donors.
Coordinate holiday programs, service projects, and volunteer schedules.
Prepare your team for the final December 31 fundraising push.
Weekly December Content Calendar
Week 1: Giving and Gratitude Theme: Generosity and Appreciation
Launch your GivingTuesday campaign on December 1 with one clear call to action.
Share GivingTuesday updates and celebrate progress.
Thank donors, volunteers, ambassadors, and community partners.
Share a story that shows what generosity makes possible.
Give supporters other ways to participate, including volunteering, sharing, or advocating.
Week 2: Show the Impact Theme: Community and Results
Share GivingTuesday results and tell supporters what happens next.
Highlight a program, service, or partnership that made a difference in 2026.
Share a donor, volunteer, or community story.
Introduce your broader December fundraising goal.
Recognize Human Rights Day if it connects authentically with your mission.
Week 3: Tell Your Story Theme: Reflection and Connection
Share a favorite success story from 2026.
Publish a short year in review or impact roundup.
Highlight the people behind your mission.
Promote tribute or memorial gifts as a meaningful holiday giving option.
Remind supporters how December gifts will help move your mission forward.
Week 4: Celebrate and Rally Theme: Gratitude and Momentum
Share a holiday message that reflects your organization’s community and values.
Thank supporters for everything they made possible this year.
Celebrate progress toward your year end goal.
Explain what additional support could make possible in 2027.
Begin increasing the urgency of your year end messaging.
Final Days: Finish Strong Theme: Urgency and Appreciation
Send clear reminders on December 29, December 30, and December 31.
Keep messages short and make the next step obvious.
Put your donation button front and center.
Share progress toward your goal and what remains to be accomplished.
Thank your community regardless of where the final number lands.
Bonus Tip for Nonprofits:
December is your fundraising finish line, but it should not be the finish line for your donor relationships. Capture good donor information, acknowledge gifts promptly, note what inspired people to give when you can, and have your January communication ready.
Look Ahead
January:A month of reflection, renewal, and reconnection. After the intensity of year end fundraising, nonprofits have an opportunity to thank supporters, evaluate results, and begin the new year with clarity.
December Nonprofit Checklist
Fundraising and Donor Relations
Launch your GivingTuesday campaign.
Thank GivingTuesday donors promptly.
Share GivingTuesday results and impact.
Continue your year end fundraising campaign.
Test donation forms, links, receipts, and confirmation messages.
Promote matching opportunities when available.
Make recurring giving easy to find.
Promote tribute and memorial giving when appropriate.
Schedule your final December fundraising messages.
Prepare a welcome plan for first time donors.
Programs and Events
Coordinate holiday drives, meal programs, gift collections, or winter support efforts.
Confirm volunteer assignments and schedules.
Share seasonal program updates with supporters.
Host an appreciation event or year end gathering if appropriate.
Communicate holiday closures or changes in service hours.
Thank volunteers and community partners for their work throughout 2026.
Communications
Share stories that demonstrate your impact in 2026.
Recognize relevant December observances.
Publish a year in review or impact summary.
Thank donors throughout the month.
Share progress toward your year end fundraising goal.
Schedule your December 29, 30, and 31 communications.
Prepare a New Year message for your community.
Internal Planning and Organization
Confirm responsibilities for GivingTuesday and year end fundraising.
Review donor acknowledgment and gift processing procedures.
Make sure your donor database is ready for increased December activity.
Segment new and existing donors for January follow up.
Document campaign results and lessons while they are fresh.
Begin preparing year end reports and impact updates.
Recognize staff, board members, and volunteers.
Set January dates for stewardship, reporting, and campaign review.
Make sure your team knows who is covering donations and donor questions during holiday schedules.
Nonprofit Planning Workbooks
NOVEMBER
November is one of the most important months of the year for nonprofit fundraising, donor engagement, and community connection. Gratitude and generosity are already top of mind, making this an ideal time to share meaningful impact stories, recognize supporters, and build momentum for GivingTuesday and year-end giving.Download Your November Workbook
OCTOBER
October is one of the most important momentum months for nonprofits. Fall campaigns are in motion, donor attention is increasing, and year end planning is taking shape. This is the time to deepen engagement, strengthen messaging, and position your organization for a strong finish to the year.Download Your October Workbook
SEPTEMBER
September marks the start of one of the most important seasons for nonprofits. As routines return and attention shifts back from summer, this is the time to re-engage donors, activate campaigns, and build momentum heading into year-end. The work you do in September sets the foundation for your strongest fundraising months.Download Your September Workbook
AUGUST
August is your launch pad. The work you do now determines how effective your fall fundraising will be. Strong preparation leads to stronger performance when it matters most.Download Your August Workbook
JULY
July is typically a quieter fundraising month, but it is one of the most valuable times of the year for internal alignment, planning, and relationship building. Whether your organization is starting a new fiscal year or continuing midyear efforts, July is your opportunity to regroup and build momentum for the fall.Download Your July Workbook
JUNE
June is a wrap and refresh month for many nonprofits, especially those closing out their fiscal year on June 30. It is a time to finish strong, launch summer programming, and prepare for a new fiscal cycle.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
APRIL
April is a vibrant and energizing month for nonprofits. With National Volunteer Month, Earth Day, and other timely observances, it’s a great time to celebrate service, share impact, and connect with supporters before summer begins. It’s also a key planning month for late-spring campaigns and events.Download Your April Workbook
MARCH
March is a springboard—both literally and strategically. Use this month to lift engagement, launch fresh campaigns, and prepare for the busy spring ahead. Light, encouraging content paired with mission-driven messaging works well this time of year.Download Your March Workbook
FEBRUARY
February is your chance to build warmth and loyalty. A heartfelt message or story can go a long way this month. Use this quieter stretch to connect on a human level before spring activities ramp up.Download Your February Workbook
JANUARY
January is a month of reflection and renewal. It’s the perfect time to thank supporters, evaluate last year’s progress, and kick off new initiatives with fresh energy. Whether your fiscal year just started or you're preparing for a new strategic push, January sets the tone for everything to come.Download Your January Workbook
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