Summer Fundraising Campaign Ideas
Keep donations flowing during the summer slump with these nonprofit fundraising strategies.
Summer is traditionally the slowest season for nonprofit giving. Donors are on vacation, attention is scattered, and year-end feels far away. But summer campaigns can still succeed with the right approach.
Summer Events
- BBQ or cookout fundraiser — Casual, outdoor, and low-cost to produce
- Outdoor movie night — A community event that draws families and generates concession revenue
- Charity golf tournament — A summer staple with sponsorships, team fees, and on-course giving
Digital Strategies
- Mid-year impact report — Remind donors what their January-June gifts accomplished
- Summer challenge — A 30-day giving or action challenge that sustains engagement
- Back-to-school preview — For education nonprofits, build anticipation and funding for fall programs
Sustainer Focus
- Monthly giving push — Summer is the ideal time to convert one-time donors to recurring supporters
- Automatic giving benefits — Frame recurring gifts as "set it and forget it" for vacationing donors
GiveLink's recurring giving tools and automated stewardship help nonprofits maintain donor relationships even when attention is elsewhere.