Annual Giving Campaigns: How They Work and Examples

Our mini-campaigns are designed to engage supporters and achieve fundraising goals through a series of strategically crafted communications.

We set a fundraising goal based on historic donor behavior for the same period. This goal is often bolstered by a challenge gift and always includes a clear deadline, creating a sense of urgency, and motivating donors to contribute within the specified timeframe.

Here’s how each component works together to create an impactful campaign:

  • These are essential for introducing readers to an impact story. Over the first 2-3 weeks of the campaign, we send 4-6 cultivation emails, each paired with complementary social posts. These communications share bits of the story, building interest and setting the stage for deeper engagement.

  • Readers are directed to a landing page on the client’s website that presents the full impact story, complete with images and videos when available. The goal here is to fully engage readers, giving them a comprehensive understanding of the story and its significance.

    Simultaneously, we run an audience growth component. Social ads target lookalike audiences, enticing them to "learn more" by visiting the mini-campaign story page. When new visitors arrive at the page, they are presented with opportunities to provide their email address and engage with the site. These new subscribers then enter a drip campaign, where they become acclimated to the client's ongoing and regular communications.

  • We send 4-6 emails and corresponding social posts that directly ask for gifts, volunteer participation, or event attendance. Each communication includes a link to a giving site with messaging specific to the campaign, encouraging readers to take immediate action.

    Simultaneously, we send out a direct mail piece. This piece is aligned with the campaign’s goals and messaging, reinforcing the asks made in the emails and social posts and providing another touchpoint for supporters.

  • Finally, after the campaign concludes, we create a campaign report for the client. This report reviews campaign performance, highlighting metrics, successes, and challenges. It also includes recommendations for future campaigns, ensuring that we continuously improve and adapt our strategies to optimize donor response and achieve fundraising goals.

Campaign Samples

Explore the examples of our annual giving campaigns to see how our approach can help reinforce relationships with your donors, drive engagement, and make a lasting impact. Together, we can create meaningful connections and achieve extraordinary results for your cause.