• Jesus, put my heart in the right place when it comes to this appeal. What do I need to surrender to You? 
• Who do you want me to invite to give?
• Is there anyone I need to be reminded of that I don't normally ask? 
• How much are You directing me to raise?
• Will You give me the capacity/ bravery/ diligence to ask individuals and faithfully follow up with them? 

Since the year-end appeal resonates with a different type of giver than your normal monthly donor, you'll need to pull some reports to discover who would be strategic to invite to this opportunity. 

Those you want to invite to give at year-end include:

• Irregular givers
• Those who usually give only when asked
• Higher capacity donors
• Those who tend to give at year-end

This type of appeal is usually not for: 

• Those who have received an increase ask or special gift ask from you within the last 6-9 months
• Those who have joined your team in the last 6-9 months

Run reports and build your list: 

• Search Toolbox for donors who gave $500< in a single gift within the last 3 yrs. 
  • How to find special gift history with Toolbox. 
• Now let's say all those people give this year the same amount they gave previously. How much does that add up to? Is that close to meeting your year-end ask goal? If not, you might want to change your search parameters and also ask the Lord to show you who else to add to your contact list. 

Pick 20-40 from your names list to engage one-on-one.

This is the key component to an effective year-end appeal. DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP.

1. Plan to personally invite them to give. Phone call, Zoom or in-person. 
2. Snail-mail your year-end appeal letter to them. 
3. Personally follow-up with a call/ text.  

This aligns most with the philosophy of the End of Year Appeal; that this appeal speaks to a different type of donor than your monthly one. It attracts irregular givers, those who only give when asked and those who tend to be higher capacity and customarily give at year end. 

The process:

• 1:1 Ask, then send Thanksgiving card = good if you want to get ahead of the pack
• Thanksgiving card then 1:1 ask = good if you want a relational primer before inviting them to give. 
• Elements: *arrange in any order you wish
  • 1:1 invitation to give (phone, video call, in person, etc)
  • card - no ask, just relational/ I'm thankful for you. Doesn't have to include a pic, but if it does, don't feel like it has to be perfect. Selfie & move on
  • 1:1 follow up (phone or text)
  • mass letter "spaghetti against the wall" - sometimes will produce new irregular givers with which you can engage later
  • mass follow up
  • after-xmas reminder
  • Bonus points
    • Magnet or small gift (key, bookmark, bracelet, etc
    • an extra follow up

Throw it at everyone; anyone who has ever given + prayer partners. See what sticks. 

EOY Letter Template

• Send to your entire team (anyone who has ever given + prayer partners). Snail mail is most effective, with a copy sent a few weeks later via email as a soft follow-up.
• Then pick 20-40 to engage one-on-one. 
• Consider including a ministry magnet in the mailing (for your 20-40 or all).