The final weeks of the year represent the most important fundraising period for nonprofits. Roughly 30 percent of all annual gifts occur in December, and a significant portion is made in the final 72 hours before December 31st. This is especially true for donors giving non-cash assets such as crypto, stock, and Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) gifts. These donors are motivated by year-end tax planning and by the opportunity to make a meaningful difference before the calendar year closes.
The following year-end fundraising strategies will help nonprofits simplify messaging, highlight multiple ways to give, remove friction, and capture more high-value gifts. These insights incorporate data from The Giving Block’s 2025 Annual Report on Crypto Philanthropy and 2025 Getting to Know Crypto Donors Report.
Why Non-Cash Giving Should Be Central to Your Year-End Strategy
Non-cash giving is one of the most effective ways to increase revenue during year-end. Appreciated crypto and stocks allow donors to eliminate capital gains tax, which often results in much larger gifts than cash.
According to the 2025 Getting to Know Crypto Donors Report, crypto users tend to be younger, wealthier, and more likely to give at higher levels. The average U.S. crypto user earns about $110,000 per year, and 45 percent of crypto donors give $1,000 or more annually. Many have held appreciated assets for over a year, making year-end the ideal time to donate.
The 2025 Annual Report on Crypto Philanthropy shows that crypto giving continues to grow across the nonprofit sector. Donating appreciated tokens allows donors to avoid capital gains tax entirely, while still receiving a charitable deduction. This combination leads many donors to prioritize giving before December 31st.
Stock and Donor-Advised Fund giving also increases significantly in December. Many donors evaluate their financial positions at year end, making this the perfect moment to feature these giving options prominently in your outreach.
Five High-Impact Year-End Fundraising Strategies
These strategies consistently drive stronger year-end results for nonprofits.
1. Keep Your Message Simple
Clear and concise communication is key during the busiest giving season. Donors are overwhelmed with messaging in December, so simplicity helps your appeal stand out.
Use one compelling story, one call to action, and one reminder that supporters can give through multiple methods, such as crypto, stock, or a Donor-Advised Fund. Straightforward messaging makes it easier for donors to take action quickly.
2. Promote Multiple Ways to Give
Many donors do not realize they can give through crypto, stock, or a Donor-Advised Fund unless you tell them. Adding a simple line such as “Support our mission with crypto, stock, a Donor-Advised Fund, or cash before December 31st” can significantly increase your average gift size.
Crypto donors, in particular, often make their largest philanthropic gifts at year-end. Consistently highlighting these options across email, social media, direct mail, and your website ensures donors encounter the message multiple times.
3. Use Tax Deadlines to Create Urgency
Urgency is one of the strongest motivators for donor action. Year-end provides a built-in opportunity to encourage donors to give before December 31st.
Key deadlines to promote include:
- Crypto gifts must be completed by December 31st to be tax-deductible for the current year. For DAFs, encourage donors to submit grant recommendations as early as possible.
- Stock gifts should be initiated between December 20th and 24th to ensure processing by December 31st
Effective countdown messages include:
- “Three days left to make your 2025 tax-deductible gift”
- “Donate appreciated assets today to avoid capital gains tax”
- “Your last chance to make a tax-smart impact before December 31st”
4. Show Up Consistently on Your Strongest Channels
Consistency is more important than volume. Use the channels where your nonprofit already performs well and repeat your call to action across email, social media, direct mail, events, and your website.
Many donors need several reminders before acting. Repeating your message ensures they understand both the urgency and the different giving options available.
5. Make the Donor Experience Frictionless
Even motivated donors may abandon a gift if the donation process is difficult. A frictionless experience is one of the most important improvements nonprofits can make during the year-end.
Your giving experience should include:
- A clear “Ways to Give” section
- Individual pages for crypto, stock, and Donor-Advised Fund giving
- Direct links to giving forms
- Mobile-friendly design
- Impact statements that show how different gift amounts support your mission
A smooth donor experience leads to more completed gifts when time is limited.
Checklist for December 31st
Use this checklist to stay organized and maintain momentum during the busiest giving season.
Before December 31st
- Update giving pages to clearly feature crypto, stock, and Donor-Advised Fund options
- Add non-cash giving reminders to all year-end communications
- Share impact-driven stories that inspire action
- Educate donors about the tax advantages of giving appreciated assets
- Encourage stock donors to initiate transfers early to ensure processing
As December 31st Approaches
- Increase urgency in your messaging across all channels
- Publish countdown reminders
- Pin your call to action on key social platforms
- Send a final reminder email on December 31st
- Make your giving page highly visible on your homepage
Get Started
Ready to strengthen your crypto, stock, and Donor-Advised Fund fundraising strategy before December 31st? Explore more insights, guides, and year-end giving resources on The Giving Block’s blog at thegivingblock.com/blog/.
