The Monthly Leap - October 2026
Hi there!
Somehow, we're already heading into the final few months of the year. For nonprofits, that usually means year-end fundraising is moving from the we should probably start thinking about that list to the okay, we really need to do this list.
But before you start adding more to your year-end strategy, this month I want to encourage you to get back to basics.
Successful year-end fundraising isn't always about coming up with the most creative campaign or trying the newest idea. Sometimes it's about doing the little things really well - knowing who you're talking to, making it easy for people to give, saying thank you, and following through.
So this month, keep reading to find out:
What's on Rikki’s mind: Don’t overlook the basics
Tip of the month: Give your year-end fundraising a quick checkup
What's coming up
What's bringing us joy
I hope this post is a little spot of joy in your month!
Rikki
What's on Rikki’s mind?
As we head toward year-end, there's a lot of pressure to come up with the “thing” that's going to make this year's fundraising successful.
What's our theme? What's going in the appeal? Should we send more emails? Do we need a Giving Tuesday strategy? What should we post on social media?
Those are all fair questions. But sometimes, while we're focused on the big idea, we overlook the little things that can make just as much of a difference.
Is your donor list up to date? Do you know who gave last year but hasn't given yet this year? Are you making it easy for someone to give when they're ready? Do you have a plan for thanking people, and are you doing it quickly? Are you keeping track of the conversations and follow-up you've promised?
None of those things are particularly flashy. But they matter.
I've seen organizations spend a lot of time trying to find the perfect words for an appeal while some of the basic systems behind their fundraising still need attention. And the truth is, a beautifully written letter can't make up for being sent to the wrong address. A great story won't help if your giving link doesn't work. And asking someone to give again feels very different when they were never properly thanked for the last gift.
Year-end fundraising is an opportunity to raise money, of course. But it's also an opportunity to show donors what it's like to be in a relationship with your organization.
And if you're reading this thinking, Okay, but we're already behind...don't panic. There's still time to put together a thoughtful year-end effort. On October 20 at 10:00 a.m., I'm hosting a free Last-Minute Year-End Fundraising webinar where we'll focus on what you can realistically accomplish with the weeks you have left, what to prioritize, and what you can let go.
You don't need to do everything. Tell a great story. Make the ask. Thank people well. Make it easy to give. Follow through.
The little things may not feel particularly exciting, but doing them well is part of good fundraising, too.
Tip of the month
Before you spend all of your time perfecting your year-end appeal, take some time to look at the basics behind it.
Start with your donor list. Are names and addresses current? Are gifts recorded correctly? Are there duplicate records that need to be cleaned up? Can you easily identify current donors, lapsed donors, volunteers, board members, or other groups you may want to communicate with differently?
Then walk through the experience from your donor's perspective. Make a small test gift through your website. How many clicks does it take? Does the confirmation email arrive? Is it clear what happens next? If someone mails a check, who records it and who makes sure they're thanked?
And finally, look at your thank-you process. Decide now what will happen when those year-end gifts begin arriving. Who sends the acknowledgment? How quickly? Are there donors who should also receive a phone call or personal note? Who is responsible for making sure that happens?
You don't need an elaborate system. You just need to know how to use the systems you have.
A little time spent on the basics now can make things easier for your team when December gets busy - and create a better experience for the people who choose to support your organization.
What's coming up?
October starts with a LEAP favorite! We’ll be back at Portage County Historical Society’s Lagers & Laggers on October 7, where we’re once again proud to be a sponsor and to help with some of the planning behind the scenes. This event is always a fun one to watch come together, and we’re looking forward to celebrating another sold-out evening with the PCHS team and community. Bring on the flannel!
Speaking of historical societies… if you're attending the Wisconsin Historical Society’s Local History & Historic Preservation Conference on October 15 in Milwaukee, Rikki is co-presenting a session on how to prepare organizations for their next chapter – which often includes hiring additional (or the first!) staff or launching a huge project. Be sure to say hi!
If year-end fundraising has been sitting on your to-do list, this one is for you. On October 20 at 10:00 a.m., join Rikki for a free online workshop focused on what you can still do with the weeks you have left. We’ll help you sort through what matters most, focus your efforts, and leave with practical next steps you can actually accomplish before December 31. Register here.
We’re excited to sponsor the Women Trailblazers Conference at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point on October 28. Our entire LEAP team will be there for a day of learning and connection, and we’ll have a table in the exhibitors hall throughout the event. If you’re attending, please stop by and say hello!
Learning is one of our core values at LEAP, and we’re putting that value into practice this month! Brooke is participating in Project Management Professional training, Chelsey is diving into Search Engine Optimization training, and Andrea is taking a Nonprofit Lifecycle training. We spend a lot of our days helping other organizations learn and grow, so it’s important to us that we keep doing the same. We’re looking forward to bringing some new ideas and perspectives back to our work with clients.
And finally, we’ve noticed something interesting lately: requests for Fundraising 101 training have been on the rise! Rikki will be leading another session this month, and we love seeing organizations invest in building a strong fundraising foundation. It also feels especially fitting as we spend October talking about getting back to basics, because even as fundraising strategies evolve, strong relationships and solid fundamentals still matter.
What’s bringing us joy
CHELSEY
Based on my first two entries in this series, I clearly have entered my “how can I make getting enough protein in a day easier?” era. Ha!
I've been on a mission lately to get back into a meal prep routine and I'm loving the recipes from Krista at Stay Fit Mom. Most of her meal prep recipes are portioned and prepped right in individual containers, so once I've made everything for the week, I just put the lids on and I'm done! It just mentally feels so much more manageable for me!
The recipes are easy to follow, packed with protein, and I've found several that my kids actually love, too. The Strawberry Nutella Protein Bowls and Pumpkin Streusel Pancake Bowls have been favorites in our house so far. Anything that makes weekday meals easier, gets us all a little more protein, and gets a thumbs-up from the kids is a win for me!
ANDREA
This month, the mini drumstick ice cream cones that I've been constantly restocking in my freezer are bringing me joy. They are small enough that I don't feel bad about eating one every day! I would recommend that you look for them next time you are at the grocery store to experience the same joy that I have been!