Halloween is just around the corner, which means that time is running out to make the most of your year-end campaign. But don’t be frightened, we’re here to help you make the biggest impact during what is often the most consequential campaign of the year.

Consider these 5 scary-good ideas:

1. Multiply the magic of your matching gift campaign. Matching gift offers at year end have become the default for many organizations. If you want to stand out even more, how about offering a 3x match, or more?! Donors want to know their gift is having the most impact, and increasing your match from a 2x match to 3x or more can have a big impact.

2. Tell stories that give donors goosebumps. One of the most effective ways to demonstrate urgency and need is to highlight the people who benefit from your work. An email or letter with real people and real stories can bring your mission to life and touch the heartstrings of your donors. In the season of giving, this can resonate more than just another communication from your CEO.

3. Brew up extra revenue with DAF and IRA/QCD giving. It’s no secret that gifts from DAF and IRA accounts are hot. Chariot reported that median DAF revenue grew more than 75% among its nonprofit participants from 2021 to 2025. And FreeWill reports that Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) from IRA accounts increased by 47% in 2025. Reminding your donors of these tax-smart ways to give at year end can push your revenue to new heights. But don’t wait too long – it can take several weeks for financial institutions to process these gifts, especially at high-volume times of year, so don’t wait until December!

4. Don’t ghost your most dedicated donors. It’s easy to get in the habit of suppressing some of your best donors from your ongoing email campaigns. Your monthly, mid-level, or legacy donors are your most loyal donors who have already given (or plan to give) generously, so it can be tempting to not inundate them this time of year. The fact that they are so loyal and have given generously is exactly why you should include them in your year-end campaign.

5. Thank you is the best treat. Year end can be overwhelming, and it can be hard to cut through the noise. Sometimes the best option is to replace one of your early year-end appeals with a simple thank you. Your donors are at the center of your work, and there is no better time than the holiday season to make sure they know how valued they are.