With Christmas being a time for giving, goodwill and generosity, what better time to launch your final campaign of the year.  

Even though it might feel like Christmas is just around the corner, it’s not too late to set up a fundraising campaign. There are always simple and effective virtual campaigns that you can put together quickly and easily – whilst still drawing in those vital donations.  

We’ve put together the ultimate Winter Fundraising Guide to help your charity boost your donations this Christmas period, whilst tackling the challenges of the current Cost-of-Living Crisis. Download it here. 

It’s the most wonderful time of the year… 

Thankfully, research shows that many British people are at their most generous during the festive period; with 44% of us saying we would be willing to receive fewer Christmas presents and instead see the money go to a good cause. Good will is certainly all around – but how can your charity draw in supporters this Christmas season?  

Our Winter Fundraising Guide is full to the brim of inspiration for your End Of Year campaign (from virtual events, to live streaming and reverse advent calendars). Check out the Inspiration section for some bold (and festive) ideas – plus, some real-life charity examples.

When you’re brainstorming ideas, make your way through this handy checklist to make sure your Christmas Campaign ticks off all the boxes. Bonus points for checking it twice. 

Tell your story! 

When planning your end-of-year campaign, share your charity’s story, powerful messaging about the amazing work you do, and (where possible) engaging infographics. Keep it authentic, simple and relatable, and always look for ways you can connect with your audience! 

It might sound obvious – but keep linking your donation ask to your cause! What’s your charity mission? How’re you helping those in need? It’s the perfect time to shout about the great work your charity does. Your supporters are more likely to donate when it’s something they care about.  

Creating a Campaign Page is a straightforward way to create a community feel and a hub for your fundraisers and donors – and you can easily check in and see how your campaign is going! You can create a Campaign Page easily by logging into your account and following Steps 1 to 5 of the setup. Not only can you share your charity’s story – but you can also personalise your campaign page background to fit within your brand!  

Don’t forget to share, share, share across your social media platforms. Once live, you can use deep links and QR codes to easily connect donors and fundraisers to the campaign. And you can see just how well your campaign is performing in the reporting tab.  

Festive fundraising: the data 

Step into Christmas by planning your fundraising campaign and December communications early – here are some key insights: 

• 8pm is a peak time for donations in December. 

• Fridays are the best days for donations in December. 
• After Boxing Day, donations begin to increase as we approach the New Year. 
• Fewer people donate on Christmas Day and Boxing Day (busy celebrating with their families and loved ones!) 
• Donations take a dip on a weekend throughout December. 

Plan your social media posts, emails and donation pushes around these dates to get your winter campaigns off to a great start. 

Concerned about asking for donations during the Cost-of-Living Crisis?  

Worried that your charity (and your supporters) may be impacted by the current Cost-of-Living Crisis? We’re here to support both you and your fundraisers. In our Cost of Living Webinar, you can find insights and research that will put your charity in the best position to handle the coming months. 

Need a hand? Our team is here to support you, every step of the way. 

If you’d like some best practice tips for running your winter campaign, we’ve got you covered. Our Winter Fundraising Guide contains advice from the JustGiving team on how best to tackle your campaign – from marketing and social media to stewardship and SEO.  

For more inspiration, watch this online webinar to hear about Christmas trends and insights, successful campaigns from previous years, and how to effectively use Campaign Pages. 

Our Success Team will be on hand throughout the winter period, to give best practice advice, support using your account and provide useful information to support your fundraising. Book a call with them, or email them at success@justgiving.com. 

For any other questions you may have, or issues with your account, contact our support team at charities@justgiving.com.  

Download the Winter Fundraising Guide here.