It’s Not Too Late: Year-End Actions That Still Make an Impact
Dear Queer nonprofit leaders and fundraisers,
If you’re staring down the end of December with a mix of hope and panic…you’re not alone.
Maybe that last grant didn’t come through. Maybe your donor list is quiet. Maybe your staff is burned out and your “end-of-year strategy” is just getting through the month.
Whatever your situation: it’s not too late to make an impact.
You don’t need to rebuild your entire campaign, and you definitely don’t need to fake perfection. You just need to focus on what works – small, authentic actions that bring people closer to your mission right now.
Here’s how.
1️⃣ Reach Out to Your Closest Circle
Forget the mass appeal for a second. Start with your inner circle: board members, volunteers, staff, and long-time donors.
They already believe in you. They just need a reason to give again.
Try this: Send a short, heartfelt personal email (not a template) to your top 25 donors. Share one tangible win from the year, one urgent need before Dec. 31, and one sentence of gratitude.
You don’t need a fancy appeal, you just need connection.
2️⃣ Launch a Quick Peer-to-Peer Mini Campaign
If you need cash flow fast, activate your people.
Ask 5-10 supporters to set up mini fundraising pages or Instagram fundraisers on your behalf with a simple message: “Help me raise $500 for my favorite Queer nonprofit before the year ends.”
Make it easy: Give them templates, images, and short talking points. (Queer For Hire has all these for you for FREE!)
Peer-to-peer fundraising works because it’s relational. It’s not an ad, it’s a friend saying, “This matters to me.”
3️⃣ Show Up (One More Time) on Social Media
You don’t need a new campaign. You just need visibility.
Share one story, one video, one post that reminds your audience why your work matters, especially now.
Keep it simple:
“This year, we served 200 Queer youth who found a safe place to belong.”
“We’re $3,000 away from meeting our goal and every dollar keeps our programs alive.”
Authenticity outperforms polish every single time.
4️⃣ Ask for Matching Gifts
If you’ve got a committed donor or board member, see if they’ll offer a small matching challenge for the final week.
Even a $1,000 match can motivate others to give. People love knowing their contribution will be doubled, especially when it’s tied to a tangible outcome.
Frame it around urgency: “We have one week to unlock a $1,000 match. Can you help us get there?”
5️⃣ Center Gratitude, Not Guilt
This time of year can bring up a lot: scarcity, stress, exhaustion, and comparison. But gratitude is grounding, and it connects people to your mission far more than desperation.
End the year by celebrating your community:
Send a short thank you video from your team.
Post a “We See You” message to Queer volunteers, donors, and staff.
Share what you’re proud of, even if the numbers aren’t perfect.
Gratitude is what turns one-time donors into long-term partners.
6️⃣ Plan a Simple January Follow-Up
Year-end isn’t the finish line, because it’s the setup for the year ahead.
Make your January plan now:
Thank every donor personally (even if it’s late).
Share one story showing how their support carried over into 2026.
Invite them to stay involved as volunteers, sustainers, or advocates.
Even a short, well-timed thank-you email in January can double your retention rate.
What’s Left
You don’t need a brand-new strategy to finish the year strong. You just need intentionality.
Queer organizations have always done more with less – we’ve built movements out of scarcity, community out of crisis, and joy out of resistance.
This moment is no different.
So take a breath, send the email, make the ask, and trust your people. The most powerful year-end work isn’t about how big your campaign looks, it’s about how close your community feels.
And if you need help getting that last-minute cash flow moving?
👉 Queer For Hire can help. Whether you need a mini peer-to-peer campaign, a donor outreach plan, or an emergency strategy to meet your goal, we can get you across the finish line.
Because it’s not too late. It’s never too late!
Sincerely,
Queers
Queer For Hire provides fundraising support to Queer nonprofits, LGBTQIA+ cultural competency to straight-led organizations and corporations, and individual coaching for Queer professionals.
Learn about our Fundraising Services <here> – we’ll lead or support your fundraising efforts, whether you need general support or want to focus on raising money from and for the LGBTQIA+ community.
Learn about our Fundraising Trainings <here> – we can coach your board, staff, and fundraising team on how to fundraise and how to engage LGBTQIA+ donors.
Learn about our other services <here> or our resources <here>.
