Top 5 must-dos after Giving Tuesday to maximize year-end fundraising

Giving Tuesday may be the biggest single day of generosity—but what you do after Giving Tuesday determines how much momentum you carry into the rest of year-end. The days and weeks that follow are the most critical fundraising period of the year, with 30% of annual giving happening in December alone.

Whether your Giving Tuesday blew past expectations or fell short of your goals, now is the time to re-engage donors, deepen relationships, and position your organization for a strong finish.

Here are the Top 5 Must-Dos Post–Giving Tuesday to keep your fundraising engine running at full power.

1. Send a fast, heartfelt thank-you (within 48 hours)

Your donors just raised their hands—now is the moment to acknowledge them.

Timely gratitude increases donor retention, boosts donor satisfaction, and sets the tone for your year-end appeal. A simple, warm message goes far.

• Send a personalized thank-you email to every donor
• Include a specific impact statement (“Your gift helped feed 842 families…”)
• Add a short video thank-you from your ED or program team
• Highlight what the next 30 days of giving will support

Pro tip: Use BetterWorld’s automated receipts + customizable thank-you pages to deliver instant appreciation that feels personal.

2. Analyze your Giving Tuesday performance

Before diving into the final stretch, take 30 minutes to understand what worked—and what didn’t. It’s time to review your metrics.

• Total raised
• Donor conversion rate
• Average gift size
• Number of first-time donors
• Channel performance (email, social, SMS, events)
• Top-performing messages and subject lines

This isn’t about reporting—it’s about using data to drive smarter decisions during the most important fundraising month of the year.

Pro tip: BetterWorld’s dashboards make it easy to see which campaigns, forms, and messages delivered results.

3. Re-engage first-time donors immediately

25–40% of Giving Tuesday donors are first-timers—and most won’t return unless you follow up quickly and strategically. Here’s an outline of what you should consider sending:

• A welcome email introducing your mission and impact
• A donor story or quick program highlight
• A soft invitation to join your year-end community campaign
• A personalized note from a board member or volunteer

Remember, you want to convert them into year-end supporters (and future recurring donors).

4. Launch (or double down on) your December campaign

You can’t afford to rely only on Giving Tuesday. December is where the real revenue happens. Now it’s time to prioritize, but where do you start?

• A strong, mission-centered year-end appeal
• A simple, beautiful donation form optimized for mobile
• A clear CTA (“Give before December 31 to make your impact count”)
• A matching gift challenge if possible
• A 3–4 email sequence + 2 SMS reminders

Pro tip: BetterWorld donation forms convert 20–30% higher because they’re built for donor-friendly, mobile-first giving.

5. Use social proof to build urgency

Donors are more likely to give when they see others taking action. Donors want to be kept informed of your progress, so don’t be afraid to share.

• Share real-time progress updates
• Post donor shoutouts or quotes
• Repost user-generated content from your supporters
• Use short videos from staff, volunteers, or beneficiaries

Year-end giving is emotional and communal. Showing momentum persuades others to join in.

Pro tip: If you have BetterWorld’s event, auction, or peer-to-peer tools, highlight how supporters can participate in multiple ways—not just through donations.

In summary, Giving Tuesday is just the kickoff. The nonprofits that grow year-over-year are the ones that treat the entire season—from November through December—as a connected strategy, not a one-day event.

If you’re looking to simplify your year-end fundraising, increase conversions, or get expert help building your campaigns…The BetterWorld Accelerator Program was built for exactly this moment. Proven strategies. Hands-on support. A guarantee that you’ll raise more—or we donate $10,000 to your cause. Visit www.betterworld.org/accelerator to learn more.