Ep. 45 | Did Your Big Fundraising Day Fall Flat? What to Do Before the Next One

Jan 15

Written By Guest User

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Have you ever had a big fundraising day—maybe Giving Tuesday—where you showed up, did everything you knew to do, and still walked away feeling disappointed?

Maybe you raised a little.

Maybe you raised nothing.

Or maybe you skipped it altogether because it already felt overwhelming.

If that’s you, you’re not alone. Big fundraising days come with a lot of pressure, a lot of noise, and a lot of comparison. It can feel like everyone else is doing better, reaching more people, and raising more money—and you’re left wondering what you’re doing wrong.

The truth is, when a fundraising day falls flat, it’s usually not because of the day itself. It’s almost always about what happened before it.

Big fundraising days reveal what already exists

Giving days don’t create momentum—they reveal it.

When supporters already feel connected, informed, and confident in your ministry, a fundraising day gives them a clear opportunity to act. But when there hasn’t been much communication or relationship-building leading up to that moment, the ask can feel sudden or disconnected.

That doesn’t mean you failed. It simply means the foundation wasn’t fully in place yet.

What actually makes the difference

When you look at ministries that consistently do well on big fundraising days, there’s usually one thing they have in common: they didn’t just show up on the day itself.

They showed up long before it.

Here are three simple—but not easy—ways to build momentum before your next big fundraising day.

1. Show up before you ask

Supporters need to hear from you more than once a year.

That doesn’t mean polished videos or constant updates. It means letting people see your ministry regularly—what you’re doing, why it matters, and how God is at work. When you show up consistently, you’re not starting from zero when a fundraising day arrives.

You’re continuing a conversation that’s already been happening.

2. Be consistent, even when it feels quiet

One of the hardest parts of fundraising communication is how one-sided it can feel.

You send the email.

You post the update.

You share the story.

And sometimes… nothing comes back.

But silence doesn’t mean nothing is happening. People are watching, reading, and paying attention—even if they never comment or respond. Consistency builds trust over time, and trust is what makes people comfortable giving when the moment comes.

3. Follow up after the day ends

A fundraising day isn’t over when the donations stop coming in.

Following up—sharing how it went, thanking supporters, and showing the impact—closes the loop. It reinforces trust and reminds people that their involvement matters beyond the transaction.

When donors feel included after the ask, they’re far more likely to stay connected moving forward.

Fundraising works best when it’s relational

If your last big fundraising day didn’t go the way you hoped, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try again. It means the work now is quieter and more relational.

Show up.

Be consistent.

Follow up.

These steps won’t create overnight results—but they will create sustainable ones. And over time, fundraising becomes less exhausting because you’re no longer starting from scratch.

If you want help clarifying your messaging and building donor trust before your next fundraising day, I’d love to walk with you through that process.