Beat the summer slump: 7 ways nonprofits can build momentum
(Note: This is the first in a 4-part series helping your nonprofit make the most of summer.)
For many nonprofits, summer feels like a waiting room.
Staff members take vacations. School-year programs pause. Community events slow down. Donors become harder to reach. As a result, many organizations unintentionally reduce their communications, postpone fundraising efforts, and simply hope things pick up again in the fall.
Unfortunately, that approach can create significant challenges later in the year.
The organizations that finish the year strongest aren't necessarily the ones that work hardest during Giving Tuesday or December. They're often the ones that continue building donor relationships throughout the summer months.
In today's environment, that's more important than ever. Many Americans are facing economic uncertainty, rising costs, and competing financial priorities. Nonprofits that remain visible, relevant, and connected during the summer are better positioned to maintain donor engagement and strengthen fundraising performance when year-end giving arrives.
Here are seven ways your nonprofit can build momentum this summer while others slow down.
1. Stay Consistent With Donor Communications
One of the biggest mistakes nonprofits make during summer is disappearing.
Your supporters shouldn't hear from you only when you're asking for a donation. Consistent communication builds trust, reinforces your mission, and keeps your organization top of mind.
That doesn't mean flooding inboxes with fundraising appeals. Instead, focus on providing value and sharing impact.
Consider sending:
Client success stories
Program updates
Volunteer spotlights
Behind-the-scenes content
Staff reflections
Impact statistics
Remember, donor engagement is about relationship-building, not just fundraising.
2. Tell Stories That Demonstrate Impact
Summer often provides unique opportunities to capture stories that can fuel your communications throughout the year.
Take time to gather:
Client testimonials
Volunteer experiences
Event photography
Program success stories
Staff interviews
Strong storytelling remains one of the most effective nonprofit marketing strategies because it helps donors connect emotionally with your mission.
When donors understand how their support changes lives, they're more likely to remain engaged and continue giving.
A simple story with authentic details will often outperform a lengthy report filled with statistics.
3. Launch a Small Summer Campaign
Not every fundraising campaign needs to be large-scale.
In fact, summer can be an excellent time to experiment with smaller fundraising initiatives that keep donors engaged without requiring extensive resources.
Examples include:
A Summer Matching Campaign
Secure a matching gift from a board member or major donor and encourage supporters to double their impact.
A Mission Moment Series
Share weekly stories that highlight your organization's work and invite supporters to contribute.
A Community Challenge
Encourage supporters to participate in a walk, bike ride, service project, or peer-to-peer fundraising effort.
Small campaigns help maintain fundraising momentum while creating valuable content and donor touchpoints.
4. Invest in Donor Stewardship
When economic uncertainty increases, donor stewardship becomes even more important.
Many organizations focus heavily on donor acquisition while overlooking the people already supporting their mission.
Summer provides a great opportunity to strengthen those relationships.
Consider:
Personal thank-you calls
Handwritten notes
Donor appreciation emails
Exclusive updates for recurring donors
Virtual coffee conversations with key supporters
A donor who feels appreciated is far more likely to remain engaged and support future fundraising efforts.
Retention is often more cost-effective than acquisition, making stewardship one of the smartest investments your organization can make.
5. Audit Your Digital Presence
If a potential donor visits your website today, what would they experience?
Summer is an ideal time to evaluate your nonprofit's digital presence before the busy fall fundraising season arrives.
Review:
Your Website
Is your messaging clear?
Is your donation page easy to use?
Are impact stories visible?
Your Email Program
Are you communicating consistently?
Are open and click-through rates healthy?
Are donor segments properly organized?
Your Social Media Channels
Are you posting regularly?
Does your content reflect your mission and impact?
Are supporters engaging with your posts?
Small improvements now can significantly improve fundraising performance later.
6. Build a Content Library for Fall
One of the biggest reasons year-end fundraising becomes stressful is that many nonprofits begin preparing too late.
Summer is the perfect time to create content assets you'll need later.
Develop:
Client stories
Photos and videos
Donor testimonials
Program statistics
Case studies
Campaign messaging frameworks
Think of summer as your content creation season.
The more resources you gather now, the easier it will be to execute successful fall and year-end campaigns.
7. Start Planning for Year-End Giving Now
It may feel early to think about December, but successful year-end fundraising campaigns often begin months in advance.
By July and August, nonprofits should already be discussing:
Giving Tuesday strategies
Campaign themes
Story collection
Audience segmentation
Major donor outreach
Communication calendars
In my experience, waiting until October or November results in rushed campaigns and missed opportunities.
The strongest fundraising organizations understand that year-end success is built long before year-end arrives.
Summer Is an Opportunity, Not a Setback
While many nonprofits view summer as a slow season, it can actually be one of the most valuable periods of the year.
The organizations that continue communicating, stewarding donors, gathering stories, and preparing strategically are often the ones that see stronger engagement, higher donor retention, and more successful year-end fundraising results.
Momentum matters.
Every email, story, thank-you note, and conversation helps strengthen relationships that can sustain your mission for months and years to come.
Coming up in part 2: Learn how you can strengthen donor engagement and fundraising results during economic uncertainty through transparent communication, stewardship, and impact-focused storytelling.
Ready to Strengthen Your Summer Fundraising Strategy?
Whether you're looking to improve donor engagement, strengthen your communications, or prepare for year-end fundraising success, a fresh perspective can help.
Click here and schedule a free 30-minute consultation with me. We'll discuss your organization's goals, identify opportunities, and provide practical recommendations you can implement right away.
Book your free consultation today and start building momentum for your strongest fundraising season yet.