Holiday Fundraising That Works: Print, Mail & Omni-channel Strategies for Year-End Success

Holiday Fundraising That Works: Print, Mail & Omni-channel Strategies for Year-End Success

For nonprofits and associations, the second half of the year isn’t just another quarter—it’s the most critical fundraising window of the year. According to Nonprofits Source, 30% of annual giving happens in December, with 10% of all donations coming in the last three days of the year.

This means that having a solid, multi-channel fundraising strategy going into the holiday season is critical. Digital takes center-stage in many marketing strategy conversations, however, print and direct mail remain cornerstones of successful year-end campaigns—especially when combined with digital tools in an omni-channel approach.

Here’s how to make your holiday fundraising strategy work harder—and raise more—with tried-and-true print-driven methods:

 Start with a Year-End Giving Calendar

Planning is everything! The second half of the year includes key donor touchpoints—Giving Tuesday, holiday gift matching, year-end appeals, and gratitude campaigns. Missing these dates means missing out on major dollars.

Must-haves for your calendar:

• Early November: Launch your year-end direct mail campaign
• Giving Tuesday (late November): Combine email, social, and print for max exposure
• Mid-December: Send follow-up postcards or letters
• December 28–31: Push last-chance giving via PQR codes from mailers

Pro tip: Print deadlines come fast in Q4. Lock in messaging and materials early to avoid delays.

 Use Direct Mail to Cut Through Holiday Noise

Email inboxes overflow during the holidays, but a thoughtfully crafted mail piece stands out. Direct mail offers a physical, personal, and emotional touchpoint that’s hard to ignore—especially during a season centered on giving and gratitude.

According to the Data & Marketing Association, direct mail response rates outperform digital by up to 35x, and adding print to your digital strategy can boost results by up to 400%.

Make your mailer count:

• Personalize by name, giving history, and suggested ask—our advanced personalization tools make it possible to connect with each recipient in a way that feels truly one-to-one just like this
• Include a donation form, reply envelope, and/or PQR code
• Use storytelling to connect donors to your mission

Pro tip: Holiday-themed creative with impact stories and donor appreciation builds trust and urgency.

 Print Collateral Reinforces Credibility

From end-of-year reports to donor recognition pieces, professionally printed collateral adds legitimacy to your appeal. It shows supporters that their donation is part of something meaningful and enduring.

Print materials to consider:

• Holiday giving catalogs
• Branded donation cards or inserts
• Thank-you postcards or impact updates
• Annual reports with storytelling and visuals

According to NonProfit PRO, printed appeals with compelling visuals and clear messaging outperform digital-only campaigns by 20–30% during the year-end giving season.

Go Omni-channel for Maximum Reach

Your donors live across channels—so should your campaign. An omnichannel fundraising strategy ensures your message lands wherever your audience is: in the mailbox, inbox, social feed, and even on their phone.

Ways to integrate:

• Match print mailers with coordinated email and social media pushes
• Include QR/PQR codes on print to track digital engagement
• Use digital retargeting ads to reach donors who scanned but didn’t complete a gift
• Share impact stories via email, social, and/or digital with donors to reinforce their decision to contribute and with potential donors to inspire

According to Giving USA, donors engaged across multiple channels give up to 25% more than those reached through only one.

Pro tip: Keep branding and calls-to-action consistent across all channels to reinforce trust and recall.

Close the Year with Gratitude

After the holiday rush, don’t let your campaign go cold. A personalized thank-you—especially in print—can boost future giving and show donors they matter beyond their dollars.

Effective follow-ups include:

• Handwritten thank-you notes or postcards (Don’t have time to handwrite every thank-you note? We make it easy. With our variable data and specialty print solutions, you can deliver the personal feel of a handwritten message—without the hand cramps.)
• A printed holiday card from your team
• Year-in-review impact pieces mailed in January

Final Thought

The holidays aren’t just festive—they’re financially crucial for nonprofits. With nearly a third of giving happening in the final weeks of the year, your organization can’t afford to rely on email alone.

Start early. Think strategically. And, make every message count.

Ai (that’s us!) can be your partner for all your print and digital marketing efforts—helping you reach and exceed, your end-of-year goals. From custom print, to creative services, to data-driven direct mail with smart audience targeting and performance dashboards, to omni-channel marketing solutions, our expertise and innovative services work to connect you with your audience, strengthen your mission, and drive measurable results.