Have you ever wondered, “Why do I receive so many emails and letters from nonprofits at the end of the year?” It’s not happenstance—we have an answer for you!
While Give to the Max Day may be in our rearview mirror, many nonprofits are just kicking off their calendar year-end fundraising efforts. Research shows that more than 30% of all yearly philanthropic giving happens in November and December! The holiday season tends to put all of us in more of a giving mood, and many people make final gifts before the end of the year as they assess their overall tax scenario before the stroke of midnight welcomes in a new year.
Now think about what that might feel like in your own life to rely so heavily on two months for your personal or business income. Perhaps you work in a sector where a majority of your company’s sales come in during the last quarter, or your work is seasonal and you’re in the middle of the highest peak of demand for your business. That can be a stressful time, right?
For nonprofits, many leaders are feeling that stress, with the added urgency of feeding and housing our neighbors, keeping arts and culture in Minnesota alive, supporting kids with opportunities to succeed—and so much more.
Whether you gave during GTMD, you’re a monthly donor for causes you care about, or you’re a volunteer for an organization you love, consider making an extra gift (or two!) to a nonprofit that is meaningful to you. This generosity can take any number of forms!
Give the gift of generosity
Did you know that you can buy a Giving Card on GiveMN.org? Giving Cards are just like gift cards, but they power good in our community! If you are planning to buy gifts for friends and family this winter, consider giving them a Giving Card so that they can pay-it-forward to the causes they love.
Crowdsource your impact
Not sure what to ask for during the holiday season? Ask for your friends and family to support a nonprofit or school on your behalf! You can even create a fundraiser page on GiveMN.org you may send to your loved ones so that you can track your impact together!
Start a monthly gift
We all have subscriptions to things like streaming services, magazines or newspapers, food delivery, and even automated payments for utilities, so why not start a monthly subscription that powers good work? Giving $5, $10, $25 on a monthly basis helps the causes you love to sustain their work on a regular and dependable schedule, and you can do it by selecting "Monthly Donation" on any GiveMN.org fundraising page!
Volunteer your time or expertise
Volunteers are crucial for many nonprofits! Whether that looks like tutoring a child, re-stocking shelves at the food shelf, or sitting on a board of directors, your passion and time is also a gift to organizations. Plus, volunteering doesn’t have to be a solo activity! Consider looking for opportunities where you can bring a group of your friends or your family together as a fun and rewarding way to give back this year.
The next time you get an email or a letter asking for your support, our team hopes you’ll keep a couple things in mind—1) you’re receiving that ask because you are generous; 2) you are invested in our communities; and 3) your support is valued and needed.
Thank you for showing up for causes across Minnesota this month and every other month of the year!
