How Holidays Inspire Giving: A Natural Way to Engage Donors Year-Round

For nonprofits, finding meaningful ways to connect with donors is essential. Holidays throughout the year—both traditional and quirky—offer a perfect opportunity to build those connections. They’re moments when people are already thinking about community, generosity, and celebration, making them ideal for inspiring charitable giving.

At Levitate, we’ve seen how holiday-themed outreach consistently outperforms other campaigns. Here’s why holidays work so well for nonprofits, and how you can use them to strengthen relationships and encourage giving in a way that feels natural and fun.

1. Holidays Are Naturally Conversation Starters

Holidays give you a reason to reach out without it feeling transactional or forced. Sending a heartfelt email or card around Valentine’s Day, Thanksgiving, or even Earth Day lets you connect with your supporters in a warm, authentic way.

For example:

  • On Valentine’s Day, thank donors for the heart they bring to your mission.
  • At Thanksgiving, reflect on the impact their generosity has made throughout the year.
  • On Giving Tuesday, tie your outreach to the spirit of the season and make a specific ask.

Levitate’s holiday email templates are designed to feel personal and engaging, ensuring your messages stand out in crowded inboxes—and when shared as social content, they can reach even more supporters in a format designed for quick engagement.

2. People Are in the Spirit of Giving

Holidays naturally inspire generosity. During the holiday season in particular, people are already looking for ways to give back. But even smaller holidays or awareness days can tap into the same spirit of giving.

Use these moments to:

  • Highlight stories of impact: Share how donations have made a difference.
  • Invite participation: Create themed campaigns, like a "Spring Into Action" fundraiser near Easter or a "Back to School Drive" in August.
  • Encourage fun giving challenges: Around Halloween, for instance, you could ask donors to "treat" your nonprofit to a small recurring gift.

The key is to tie your message into the holiday’s theme in a way that resonates emotionally.

3. Holidays Create Opportunities for Personalization

Personalized, thoughtful communication is the cornerstone of strong donor relationships. Holidays provide a unique way to make your outreach feel special and tailored.

For example:

  • Use Levitate’s tools to send personalized holiday greetings with the recipient’s name or a note specific to their previous contributions.
  • Add a lighthearted, holiday-specific message that shows your nonprofit’s personality. For example, “Happy National Puppy Day! Because of you, our animal rescue has given 40 dogs their forever homes this year.”

By combining personalization with holiday messaging, you can remind donors that they’re an important part of your nonprofit’s story.

4. Holiday-Themed Emails Are Proven Performers

There’s a reason Levitate’s holiday templates are some of our most popular—and effective—options. They tap into a moment when people are already paying attention, and they give nonprofits a chance to communicate in a way that feels timely and relevant.

When you pair a well-crafted holiday message with tools like Levitate’s email templates, you can create a high-impact outreach plan that:

  • Increases donor engagement
  • Encourages repeat giving
  • Builds stronger, more lasting relationships

Holidays throughout the year—whether it’s the Fourth of July, National Volunteer Week, or even World Kindness Day—are opportunities waiting to be leveraged. Don’t overlook their power to spark meaningful connections and inspire generosity.

By making holiday outreach a consistent part of your nonprofit’s communication strategy, you can strengthen donor relationships and keep your mission top of mind—all while celebrating the moments that bring us together. Schedule a demo today to learn how Levitate can help you make the most of these opportunities and drive meaningful results!

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