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Some begin working on it in October so they're not rushed at the end of the year. It's preferred to send a "Thankful for you" card or letter before Thanksgiving, but a "Thankful for you" text can work if you're behind the schedule outlined below:

September -OctoberDetermine your need and what you will ask for. Usually appeals for one-time gifts (vs monthly support, gifts in kind or service projects) are most effective this time of year. (Sample asks are displayed below.)
Late October-Early November

Review your data from the past 3 years. Look for: 

  • Donors who usually have given by this time of year but haven't.  
  • Reactive Givers: Those who don't give on a regular basis because they like to give more infrequently and only when asked. These donors tend to like to be the hero and give a larger lump sum toward a specific need. End of year appeals (vs monthly giving) tend to minister to this type of giver.
  • Lapsed donors (non-current) and those who may be at risk of leaving your team. 
  • Anyone who has given a one-time gift in the past 3 years. 
Early-Mid NovemberID The Top 20. Through prayer, ask the Lord to help you make a list of the top 20 people you should contact one-on-one with your ask (either face to face or voice to voice). Typically, it's best if this group is made up of different people than those you usually contact with special asks; your regular end of year givers being the exception. *However, if anyone falls into all 4 categories above, they should probably be on your Top 20 list. 
Mid-NovemberSend a paper Thanksgiving card to your Top 20* along with a short, handwritten note about why you’re thankful for them. This should be a meaningful message of gratitude. The goal is to remind donors how valuable they are to you and the impact they are helping to make in the Kingdom. Bonus points for including your picture on or in this card! Please consider hand-addressing the envelope. A simple way to mail a card to your Top 20 is to pick up a pack of cards at the store and print 20 photos (of you or you + the people you minister to) at the photo center. Keep it simple so you're more likely to do it. If you have the time, you can send to more than just your Top 20, but make sure your first priority is reaching your Top 20. 
First week of DecemberFollow up the Thanksgiving card with an email containing your end of year need info. Encourage your donor to pray about how the Lord may have them respond to this need. Then let them know you'll be calling in a few days. Consider batching the emails in groups so you're not trying to make follow-up calls to 20 people all on the same day. Manageability is key.
A few days laterFollow up your email with a phone call to make the ask. Remember, your most effective asks are going to be face-to-face (even over a video call). If that can't happen, then second best is voice-to-voice. An ask in a mass email that's not followed up with a one-on-one ask is the least effective. 

Behind schedule this year? Talk to your MTD coach about how to best approach your Top 20. Scroll to the end of this page to see sample phone scripts. 

Is this schedule not your flavor? Want to do something different? Go for it!  Just be sure you're including best practices into your ask.