The 3 C’s of Year-End Success: Connect, Care, And Celebrate!
You! Yes, You!
The one who is empowering so many to take action on their INTENTION to give this year…..THANK YOU!
I see you — pushing harder on a list that doesn’t seem to have enough day to make a dent in.
And yet you are and keeping the spirit of generosity alive.
Recognize the profound role you play. People want to do good. You help them do it.
But it’s busy. It’s intense. So how do you stay centered and effective in this final stretch? Lean into the 3 C’s of Year-End Success: Connect, Care, and Celebrate.
- Connect: Relationships Over Clicks
Personal beats public. Conversations beat content.
While social media blasts may feel satisfying to check off your to-do list, personal emails, phone calls, and texts join hearts and inspire gifts. My client, Finny, shared that she raised over $190,000 around Giving Tuesday. How? Not the social media. It was day after full day of two people on the phone, on the email, one-on-one. Calling, texting, calling, emailing. People give to people, not posts. Your secret sauce? Direct, thoughtful connection. Day after day now!
Your ACTION:
- Send a personalized email with a single, clear question:
“Is there any way I can help you with your giving plans for us yet this year?” - Pick up the phone. Leave a voice message with the above that’s warm, genuine, and free from “pitch mode.”
- Send a quick, thoughtful text to a key supporter. It’s often the nudge they need.
Remember: People are busy, AND THEY STILL WANT TO GIVE. A simple reminder — a touchpoint, not a pressure point — can be all they need to take action.
- Care: Serve, Don’t Strive
Fundraising isn’t about money. It’s about mission. AND what’s right for your DONOR now.
When you continually refocus your donors as people, you naturally shift from “raising money” to serving relationships. This mindset shift is magic. People can feel it. They can see it in the way you communicate. Instead of asking, “How can I get this gift?” you ask, “How can I support this donor’s giving goals?” And, don’t let the numbers people kill your joy! I’m working right now to create a better partnership with a client’s well-meaning Treasurer who simply doesn’t get it. “When can we expect the money?” Challenge them to respect that YOU are the fundraiser and their attitudes kill both team joy and giving.
YOUR Action:
- Be the guide, not the asker. Offer to walk them through options, answer questions, and even offer inspiration about how others are giving.
- Focus on shared impact. Remind them how their gift will create change, not just what it will “fund.”
- Embody energetic confidence and no judgment. People don’t respond well to desperation and panic energy. Be excited about what they can still do.
Remember: When you focus on caring over dollars, people feel safe, seen, and valued — and that makes them want to give.
- Celebrate: Every Connection is a Win – Gift now or not
Celebrate connection. You are creating life-long givers. GIVE YOURSELF and ask others to join you!
Instead of celebrating gifts, celebrate connections! Your most successful major giving relationships are life-long! Of course celebrate every YES! And also, if a giver says this year is not a fit – CELEBRATE them being part of your “mission family.” Let them know you are available if needed and that you get back in touch after the holidays. Share what your gift (as staff, board, whatever) will be and why. Find joy in every conversation. This feeds your energy, lifts your spirit, and renews your commitment. And it doesn’t just lift you — it lifts everyone around you.
YOUR Action:
- Celebrate small wins daily. A yes? Share it with the team. Sent 10 personal emails? That’s a win. A ‘no’ that was a warm connection? Recognize effort, not just results.
- Thank donors early and often. A quick, heartfelt “We are so grateful” email can make someone’s day.
- Celebrate YOU. You are doing wonderful work. Write down one thing each day that you’re proud of.
Remember: Celebration creates momentum. And momentum powers you through the home stretch.
As the year-end whirlwind continues, remember this: Connect, Care, Celebrate. These three actions are NOT tactics — they’re a mindset – the mindset that defines our honorable and noble profession.
With every call, email, and text, you’re lighting the way for others to give. With every expression of care, you’re strengthening relationships for the long term. And with every celebration, you’re remembering that authentic relationships are not just about ‘getting the money.’ They are about the people you GET to be with.
So, here’s Marcy’s mantra for you for now until the finish line:
“Is there any way I can help you with your giving plans for us yet this year?”
Keep going. Connect! Little else could speak louder to your belief in success than to put yourself in a place to receive. You’re not just raising money — you’re inspiring generosity. And that’s something to celebrate.
Invest in Joy™
