You can’t do this alone. So here are two tools that will make it easy for your board to share your year-end appeals this month. Nearly 40% of all one-time gifts are donated in December, so it’s not too late!

Share an Email Appeal (like Giving Tuesday)

Giving Tuesday is always the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. This year it’s December 2.

There seems to be a lot of controversy around whether Giving Tuesday is worth all the fuss. Paraphrasing Hamlet:

To GT or not to GT? That is the question.

I’m of the opinion that you might as well join the fray. Here’s what I say to the contrarians:

• It’s overwhelming for donors. So are email updates and appeals at any other time of year. (Think of how your own email in-box looks.) Chances are, you eyeball — and act on — what’s of interest. Why not assume your nonprofit is of interest?
• It’s better to do a special appeal at another time of year. Do that too! Whether or not you participate in Giving Tuesday this year, it’s always smart to create engagement opportunities for donors.
• It’s boring. It doesn’t have to be. Make it fun, authentic, and personal. Take a video on your phone of you sharing why donations this week matter to your nonprofit.

Here are two examples of scripts that will create ease for your board in sharing your year-end appeals.

Sharing an Email Appeal [Example from a foster youth org]

Hello FRIEND,

It’s the giving time of year! As you think about your own worthy donations this year, I wanted to share a cause that’s special to me personally.

This year I’m raising awareness about the impact of a caring adult in a young person’s life, the importance of our volunteers in advocating for a foster youth, and how to support youth as they transition out of foster care. I proudly serve on the board of OUR_NONPROFIT and hope you’ll join me in supporting our important work this year.

I’m forwarding an email with more details, and would love to talk more about why I care about this work. Please email or call me anytime.

With appreciation, BOARD_MEMBER

[Type above and forward it with your nonprofit’s Giving Tuesday or Year-End appeal email.]

Members can access detailed instructions for social shares on Facebook, Instagram and X at my.communitygrantwriters.us/resources.

Example for Sharing a Snail Mail Appeal [also from a foster youth nonprofit]

[Send an email like this to each board member.]

Hello OUR_NONPROFIT Board Member,

As you know, most people make charitable gift decisions at year end (and, if you’d like to know more, here’s an article with some of the data). This is also true for OUR_NONPROFIT. It’s a time of year when your personal outreach can make a huge difference in helping us to reach new donors. 

The Time is Now

OUR_NONPROFIT’s annual appeal letter was mailed to donors and volunteers last month, so folks received it before Thanksgiving. Several versions were created so it had a customized message for our different donor audiences. 

One special audience is friends of Board members who may become donors to OUR_NONPROFIT. Please share our year-end appeal letter with 10 friends, colleagues or family who may share your interest in OUR_NONPROFIT’s work. Your outreach could inspire their first gift! 

You should have also received your own appeal letter — to see how it looks to our donors and to continue having 100% board giving! Being able to say, Join me in supporting this amazing nonprofit is a powerful peer-to-peer ask as you share your passion for our work with friends.

An electronic version of the year-end appeal letter is also attached. You can download it as a .doc or .pdf, or copy and paste into an email to share with friends. If you have a color printer and choose to print it yourself, please add date, salutation and sign before mailing.

Your Script to Share Our Year-end Appeal

Dear Friend, 

As you may know, I serve as a volunteer board member for OUR_NONPROFIT. Since so many people donate at year-end, this is an important time for us. I would be so honored if you joined me this year in supporting OUR_NONPROFIT as part of your charitable giving in 2025. More information can be found at www.OUR_NONPROFIT_WEBSITE.org. Attached is our annual appeal letter, which includes an update about our work and impact. If you share my interest in this issue and those we serve, then I would be thrilled to welcome you to OUR_NONPROFIT’s community!

With appreciation,

YOUR_NAME, Board Member, OUR_NONPROFIT

It really can be that easy. And the best time to start is now.

And check out our free planning templates at communitygrantwriters.us/templates as you get ready for 2026 fundraising.