There’s No Time Like Go Time

It’s that season again—and here’s the truth: you don’t have to wait.

Too many organizations hold off on appeals until the very last days of the calendar year—or pile everything onto one of those “special” Giving Days that everyone else uses as their ask date. But you don’t have to wait. You can start right now. In fact, it’s better if you do.

At Staiger Vitelli & Associates, we think about this moment in three acts: Giving Day Ease, Appeal Writing Joy, and Pre-Ask Power.

1. Giving Day Ease

If you have donors who’ve given on Giving Tuesday (or another giving day), fantastic! Send them a quick note (bulk or personal, whatever you have time for) and ask:

“I noticed that last year you gave your gift on Giving Tuesday. Hooray! I’m wondering two things: can we count on your gift again this year? And… do you prefer to give on Giving Tuesday again this year?”

The key here: don’t assume. Just because someone first gave on a giving day doesn’t mean they want to keep doing it that way. By asking, you personalize the relationship and learn something valuable about how a whole group of your donors like to give.

2. Appeal Writing Joy

When it comes to appeals—please, don’t overthink it. Hold onto your joy and don’t hand it over to the letter-writing process. Write like a human talking to another human. Then have a colleague (or AI) double-check that your writing is skimmable and accessible.

A few key tips to keep you grounded:

• Be direct early. Let the reader know it’s a fundraising letter right away. Try: “We hope you’ll choose to give again this year.”

• Don’t make the donor the sole hero. Invite them to join staff, clients, and other donors who are already powering your mission.

• Make it easy to read. Use at least 14pt font with 1.5 line spacing. Accessibility matters.

• Don’t fear length. If it takes two pages, fine. White space and legibility are worth it.

• Always use a P.S. It’s your TL;DR and a chance for urgency: “Writing this has me reflecting on how important it is that we act right now. Can you make your most meaningful gift today?”

• Envelope teasers help. Black-and-white, simple, and intriguing: “Why is Mia so confident?” or “What happened when Mario walked in…”

• Proof with humility. Read it as though you’re a client. Remove anything that diminishes their power or dignity.

Then—let it go. Get it in the mail. You’ll need energy left to thank donors and steward gifts when they come in.

3. Pre-Ask Power

Pre-asking isn’t an extra step. It’s the fast track to meaningful giving.

• Pre-ask now if you manage a donor portfolio and it’s their usual season to give.

• Pre-ask now if you don’t yet know the “when, how, and where” of a donor’s next gift.

• Pre-ask now even if you don’t have every other question answered. Don’t let perfect get in the way of action.

Here’s how simple it can be:

“We don’t know each other that well yet, Stephon, but one thing I want to get right is when and how to invite your next gift, which is really important to us. I think you typically give around this time of year. Could we set a time—phone, Zoom, coffee, or even email—to talk about it?”

Here’s the not-so-secret truth: your donors already know you’re a fundraiser. Own it. Be honest. Ask for their guidance. Invite their consent to talk about giving. And then—get that money moving to your mission.

No More Waiting

Really—no more waiting. Pre-ask now. Appeal now. Sit down and do it.

And when you’re done? Treat yourself. Go for a walk. Have something sweet. Celebrate that you’ve moved your donors closer to the mission.

If you get stuck, we’re here for you. Book a free 15-minute consult or drop us a note. We’ll help you move through it.