It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Year-End

Have a plan
It almost goes without saying-you have to have a plan for your year-end fundraising efforts. Now is not the time to be overly cautious. Both online and offline, your donors will be bombarded with fundraising appeals, so your voice needs to rise above the din.

According to the 2011 eNonprofit Benchmark Study, nonprofits send an average of six e-mails in December, compared to three or four a month the rest of the year. Your electronic appeals have to be exceptional to break through the inbox clutter. From the subject line to the offer, think how you can be spectacular.