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Turning the Summer Slump Around: Engage Donors During the Off-Season
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Updated - 07/07/2025
The summer slump
Imagine it is a hot July afternoon. Your team recently sent out a fundraising appeal—and the response is underwhelming. You have seen this before. Each year, summer rolls in with sunshine, vacations, and, unfortunately, a sharp dip in donations. This seasonal lull, often referred to as the “summer slump,” can leave nonprofits scrambling to meet their fundraising goals. But with the right summer fundraising strategies, you can engage your donors and turn the “summer slump” into momentum.
However, it’s important to recognize that not every nonprofit experiences a summer slowdown. For some, summer is actually the busiest time of the year—especially organizations that run camps, seasonal programs, or community outreach events. Whether your nonprofit is experiencing a lull or a surge, summer presents a unique opportunity to connect with donors in meaningful ways.
Have you ever wondered why giving slows down and what you can do to change it?
Many organizations report a significant decline in donations during the summer months, with July and August often being the slowest periods for fundraising. But this doesn’t have to be your story. In this blog, we will explore smart, effective summer fundraising strategies for nonprofits to keep your mission front and center—and your supporters engaged—all summer long.
Understanding the summer slump
The summer slump is a common challenge for nonprofit organizations. Donations tend to dip dramatically during July and August, often because supporters are distracted or financially tapped out from travel and seasonal expenses.
Here are some of the key reasons why summer giving slows down:
- Vacations & distractions: Donors are often traveling, spending more time outdoors, or adjusting to new routines, making them less responsive to emails or campaigns.
- Seasonal expenses: Summer comes with increased personal costs—vacations, back-to-school shopping, childcare—that can limit discretionary spending.
- Fewer fundraising events: Many nonprofits scale back events during summer, reducing opportunities to connect with donors.
While this slump is common, it does not have to define your season. With the right strategies, you can turn summer into a time of connection and momentum.
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Strategies to boost summer engagement and giving
A. Express sincere gratitude
Do not wait until year-end to thank your supporters. The top two reasons why donors stop giving are: 1. They are not updated on the impact their donations have had, and 2. They are never thanked for their gift. Summer is a perfect time to go above and beyond in expressing appreciation.
Send handwritten notes, personal thank-you videos, or surprise thank-you emails. Let donors know they are seen and appreciated, especially during slower months. Gratitude nurtures lasting relationships and reinforces the value of their gifts.
B. Use impact metrics and reports to demonstrate change
Do not let summer be a silent season. Share compelling impact data that highlights what your organization is achieving, even during these slower months. Publish simple impact reports or infographics showing short- and long-term outcomes, such as “100 families fed in June,” or “Malnutrition down 20% over five years.”
These impact metrics validate your mission and show donors that their support is still making an impact and is still needed. Use visuals to break down complex data into digestible, motivating insights.
C. Focus on storytelling
While data proves your effectiveness, stories bring your mission to life. Share stories that highlight the lives your programs are impacting this summer. Feature a program participant, volunteer, or staff member whose experience captures your organization’s heart.
Pair stories with visuals—photos, video snippets, and graphics—for maximum emotional resonance. Combine your impact data and storytelling to bring your impact to life. A summer story shared through email or social media can reignite donor connection in just a few minutes.
D. Leverage technology to communicate and amplify impact
Technology makes it easier than ever to keep supporters informed, inspired, and engaged—even during quieter months. Tools like Bloomerang’s all-in-one giving platform can help you automate personalized thank-you messages, segment your donor base for targeted storytelling, and generate impact reports with ease.
By leveraging giving platforms, you can streamline communication and maintain strong connections all summer long. Technology empowers your team to share meaningful updates more frequently, turning one-time gifts into long-term support through transparency and relationship-building.
E. Engage youth and families
Summer is an ideal time to bring in volunteers and supporters who have more availability. Host family-friendly volunteer days or invite supporters to tour your facility or experience programs in action.
These in-person or virtual touchpoints build transparency and deepen relationships. When donors and families see your work up close and feel a part of the impact you are creating, they are more likely to support and advocate for it.
F. Inspire monthly giving through impact
Even in the off-season, donors want to feel their contributions make a difference. Position monthly giving as a way for supporters to have a lasting impact, no matter the time of year. Summer is a great time to inspire new recurring donors with messaging like, “Your support creates year-round impact—starting today.”
Help donors see how their consistent contributions can fund long-term change and generate momentum for the rest of the year. By connecting their giving to specific outcomes, you create excitement and a stronger sense of purpose that carries through every season.
Benefits of highlighting impact during the summer
While the summer months can be quieter in terms of donor activity, they present a powerful opportunity to deepen relationships through transparency and storytelling. Highlighting your organization’s impact during this time does more than just fill the seasonal gap—it builds lasting donor confidence and shows that your mission never takes a vacation.
There are many benefits to sharing your organization’s impact metrics with your supporters. A few of them include:
- Greater mission understanding: Impact metrics help supporters understand and know exactly who your organization is, the work it is doing, what it has accomplished, and the potential for greater impact.
- Providing organizational transparency: Sharing impact metrics ensures donors know exactly how their money is being used. This transparency reinforces their trust in your organization and makes them feel like valued partners in your mission.
- Building donor trust: Clear and consistent communication about outcomes builds credibility. When donors see proof of your accomplishments, they are more likely to feel confident in their decision to support your cause.
- Sharing stories that bring data to life: Pairing metrics with compelling human stories creates a powerful narrative. For example, instead of only saying you provided 1,000 meals, also share the story of a family whose lives were transformed by your support.
When you take the time to communicate your progress and outcomes, you give donors a reason to stay connected even during quieter months. Whether through detailed reports, heartfelt stories, or shared successes, highlighting your impact is one of the most effective summer fundraising strategies for nonprofits looking to turn seasonal challenges into long-term growth.
If you are unsure what impact metrics are or where to start with measuring or communicating your impact, Social Impact Solutions can help. We have written a blog explaining impact metrics to get you started. Read our blog here.
Planning ahead for a strong fall
The insights and engagement you cultivate during summer can do more than maintain momentum—they can set the stage for a powerful fall giving season. After building trust, transparency, and emotional connection through your summer communications, it is time to look ahead with intention and strategy.
Use the quieter summer months to strengthen your foundation for a successful fall giving season. This is the perfect time to evaluate what is working and build your strategy.
- Review donor data to identify trends, lapsed donors, and segments with growth potential.
- Survey your supporters to learn what motivates them or how they want to be involved in the coming months.
- Plan your fall campaign themes and materials so you are not scrambling come September.
- Invest in stewardship now—personal touches like phone calls, thank-you cards, and check-in emails go a long way in donor retention.
By preparing ahead of time, you will enter fall with engagement and momentum instead of playing catch-up.
Turn the summer slump around
Summer does not have to be a slow season for your nonprofit. By leaning into sharing your impact, storytelling, expressing gratitude, and engaging donors in meaningful ways, you can overcome the summer slump and create strong, lasting donor relationships.
Treat summer as an opportunity—not a setback—and set your organization up for long-term success. Consistent engagement, even during off-seasons, is the key to donor loyalty and year-round impact.
Ready to beat the summer slump? Social Impact Solutions is ready to help you engage your donors and increase your fundraising through the off-season.
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