Stacking the Deck for Year-End Major Gifts

My worst December as a fundraiser?

I spent it chasing a stock transfer with no name on it.

My plan had been "we'll get serious after the gala."

The gala ended in mid-November. You can guess how that year went.

Here's what I learned the hard way. December isn't where year-end is won. It's where you find out how well you planned in October.

And year-end 2026 raises the stakes. New tax rules. Donors who "bunched" their giving into last year. Complex gifts that need more lead time than ever.

On this week's episode of The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast, "Stacking the Deck for Year-End Major Gifts," I walk through:

What's changed for donors this year, and the one question to ask about itThe Year-End Countdown, five checkpoints planned backward from December 31A one-page dashboard and a 15-minute Monday huddle that keep your whole team focused

Give it a listen this week, then share it with a colleague who's heading into Q4 with a long list and a short runway.

More from Tammy Zonker

Author of Calling All Heroes: Combining the Best of Donor-Centered and Community-Centered Fundraising for Greater Impact

Founder of Fundraising Transformed