Fundraising Ideas     |     27 October 2025

7 Holiday Giving Campaign Examples to Take Inspiration From

Creative ideas to power your end of year giving push

10 minute read

If your team feels like the holiday season hits harder every year, you’re not alone. Between planning events, juggling schedules, and trying to hit ambitious fundraising goals, November and December tend to blur together in a frenzy of urgency. For nonprofits, schools, and volunteer-led groups, this stretch is the most donation-rich time of the year.

But here’s the upside: people want to give right now. Whether they’re fueled by gratitude, habit, or a bit of both, this is the one season where generosity sits front and center. A well-timed holiday giving campaign can bring in new donors, re-engage past supporters, and build a real sense of momentum going into the new year.

Let’s take a look at seven real holiday giving campaigns, why they worked, and how you might adapt them for your organization. All of these ideas started small, but their impact continues to be huge. 

Holiday giving campaigns matter

Nearly a third of all annual giving in the U.S. happens in the final few weeks of the year. That includes big-name nonprofits and grassroots campaigns alike. The spike in support isn’t accidental. Donors often plan their giving for this time, whether it’s for tax reasons, family traditions, or a sense of reflection that naturally comes with the year’s end.

If you're planning an end of year giving campaign, you’re not just squeezing one last ask into the calendar. You’re stepping into a season when people are already thinking about how to make a difference. When done well, these campaigns give supporters a clear, meaningful way to take action right when they're most likely to say yes.

How the holiday mindset influences generosity

Something shifts in people around the holidays. There’s a pull toward connection, gratitude, and doing a little good. That’s exactly why holiday giving campaigns tend to resonate. This feeling goes beyond just writing a check; it’s about feeling part of something bigger. Whether it's buying a gift for a child in foster care or contributing to a clean water project in someone else's name, people like to know their donation means something right now.

For many, giving becomes part of their holiday ritual. Families sit down together and decide where they want to donate. Others give in memory of a loved one. Some employers run matching drives. There’s a shared sense of generosity in the air, and giving campaigns that speak to that spirit tend to do well.

Why year-end giving works

The numbers back it up. According to Double the Donation, more than 30% of annual giving happens in December, and about 10% of all giving happens in just the last three days of the year. That kind of surge means the end of the calendar year can be your organization’s time to shine.

Donors are primed to give because they’re being reminded from all directions: social media, inboxes, and conversations with friends. Many are also reflecting on their values, closing out financials, and considering how to support causes that align with their priorities.

The role of Giving Tuesday in the momentum

Giving Tuesday has become the unofficial launchpad for many holiday giving campaigns. It lands just after Thanksgiving and Black Friday, at a time when people are actively looking to reset and refocus. What started as a simple idea, countering consumerism with generosity, has grown into a global movement.

Organizations of all sizes now build their end of year giving campaign around this date. Some use it to announce a matching gift. Others roll out a storytelling campaign, share a new video, or introduce a donor challenge. However it’s used, Giving Tuesday offers a well-timed boost that can power a campaign well into December.

7 holiday giving campaign examples to take inspiration from

There’s no single formula for a successful holiday giving campaign. When you look at campaigns that actually moved people to give, a few patterns emerge: simplicity, clarity, connection, and a little creativity. Below are seven inspiring holiday giving campaigns that struck the right chord. Whether you’re a small volunteer team or a nonprofit with some mileage, these examples can help spark your next move.

Compassion International’s gift catalog

A donor-powered giving menu with real-world impact

This campaign turns donations into gifts you can choose. Instead of a one-size-fits-all ask, Compassion International offers a catalog of tangible options: school supplies, goats, clean water, health kits, and more. Donors pick the item they want to support, see how it connects to a real need, and feel like they’re giving something specific and useful.

Why it worked

The catalog format turns abstract generosity into something concrete. There’s emotional clarity; you're not just giving money, you're giving a cow or a well or a child’s school tuition. It also makes the process feel personal, which helps donors feel more connected to the outcome.

How to adapt it

You don’t need a printed catalog or complex inventory. You can create a digital landing page that mimics the idea: “$25 provides school supplies for a student,” “$100 feeds a family for a week.” It works well for Christmas, Hanukkah, or other winter giving campaigns, especially when donors are looking to give in someone’s name.

Movember

Creating a movement through participation and humor

Movember invites people to grow a mustache in November to raise money for men’s health. It's a peer-to-peer campaign with a sense of humor and a highly shareable hook. Participants build personal fundraising pages and rally support from their networks.

Why it worked

It’s fun, a little goofy, and totally unmistakable. The campaign invites participation in a way that feels light but leads to serious impact. The sense of shared identity (“I’m part of Movember”) helps keep people engaged and talking about it throughout the month.

How to adapt it 

A campaign doesn’t need to go global to be effective. Think small and seasonal: a holiday sweater contest, a gingerbread house challenge, or a “12 days of giving” photo series. The key is participation with a touch of personality. Bonus points if it’s easy to share on social media.

Charity: Water’s year-end campaign

Visual storytelling that drives action

Charity: Water has built a reputation on clean, emotional storytelling paired with clean design. Their end-of-year giving campaigns often use short videos or photo essays that highlight the real impact of their work—like families gaining access to clean water for the first time.

Why it worked

The visuals speak for themselves. Instead of long paragraphs, they use images and videos to show the need and the results. Their donation page is clean and mobile-optimized, with progress bars and real-time updates. That transparency builds trust.

How to adapt it

Use what you already have. A single photo and short caption can be just as moving as a high-end video. Share one story per week during your holiday giving campaign, and pair it with a direct ask. Keep the visuals front and center, and remember that short and heartfelt often beats long and polished.

The Salvation Army Red Kettle

A traditional model that still works—now with digital tools

You’ve probably heard the bell. The Red Kettle Campaign is one of the most recognized holiday giving campaigns in the country, with volunteers stationed outside stores to collect spare change for local programs. What started with coins has now expanded to online donations and QR codes.

Why it worked

The campaign is visible, simple, and familiar. It’s rooted in tradition, which builds trust. But it also evolves, adding digital options like text-to-give and virtual kettles that make it easier to give from anywhere.

How to adapt it

You don’t need a literal kettle. A themed donation station at your event or school can create the same moment. Add QR codes to flyers, event programs, or even table centerpieces that link to your giving page. This is a great way to make your end of year giving campaign feel visible, even in small community spaces.

World Wildlife Fund’s adopt-an-animal campaign

Combining symbolic gifts with clear impact

WWF offers supporters the chance to “adopt” an endangered species. It’s a symbolic gesture (no animals are transferred), but donors receive a plush toy, photo, and certificate tied to their chosen species. It’s a holiday gift with a purpose, wrapped in a story.

Why it worked

This campaign taps directly into the gift-giving season. People get to make a meaningful donation and walk away with something they can share, display, or give to someone else. It’s especially popular for Christmas giving campaigns aimed at families or classrooms.

How to adapt it 

You don’t need to ship anything. Instead, consider downloadable certificates or a thank-you video that arrives after a donation. You could offer a “sponsor a student” or “honor a local hero” option where the donor’s name is displayed publicly. The key is offering something donors can hold onto, physically or emotionally.

Refuge UK and WAMU holiday shops

Donation pages turned into seasonal stores

These organizations gave their donation pages a festive twist. Refuge UK offered gifts for women and children escaping domestic violence. WAMU’s version lets donors pick between symbolic gifts like meals or branded items like socks and speakers tied to their mission and story.

Why it worked

It turns the act of giving into something familiar: shopping. The donor gets to choose how their gift is used, and each option is presented like a product. It’s a clever way to reframe a donation as a personal, intentional act that still feels like a gift.

How to adapt it

Even a simple list with donation tiers and outcomes can mimic this approach. For example, “$50 provides art supplies for five students” or “$100 delivers three meals to a senior.” Add a holiday theme and clear visuals, and you’ve got yourself a mini gift shop. Bonus if you can build this right into your auction or ticketing page.

Oceana’s Wavemakers campaign

Letting donors choose how their gift connects to the mission

Oceana labeled their supporters as “Wavemakers” and let them choose what their gift represented. Options included symbolic amounts like $20 for the group’s anniversary or $33 for the 33 billion pounds of plastic in the ocean. It was smart, simple, and very clear about impact.

Why it worked 

Donors were given identity and agency. They weren’t just supporters; they were part of a movement. Each gift option was tied to a real number, making the donation feel grounded and purposeful.

How to adapt it 

Give people a reason to feel part of your campaign. Use themed donation levels that relate to your story or programs. Let supporters choose what “bucket” their gift goes into, or name your donor tiers in a way that connects to your mission. With the right framing, even small campaigns can feel like a big movement.

What the most successful campaigns get right

Looking at all these examples, the best holiday giving campaigns don’t just look good. They feel good. There’s a level of intention behind each one, and that’s what sticks. Below are some of the key takeaways we see again and again, no matter the format or budget.

Personalization matters

The more personal your campaign feels, the more likely people are to engage. This could mean giving donors a choice in how their gift is used, recognizing them by name, or using real photos and stories from your own programs. Even a simple thank-you message with a donor’s name goes a long way toward making them feel seen.

Urgency works, but only when it’s real

You don’t need to sound desperate to encourage people to act quickly. Deadlines like “before the new year” or “help us meet our match by December 31” give supporters a clear reason to donate now instead of putting it off. Use language that sounds human, not pushy.

It helps to make it fun. 

Storytelling, games, donor shoutouts, progress bars, or even something as small as confetti on a donation confirmation screen add energy and joy to the process. Campaigns that give people something to smile about are often the ones they share and remember. 

Focus on momentum, not just one moment.

Holiday campaigns don’t have to end when the tinsel comes down. The most successful campaigns often introduce recurring donations as an option or invite donors to join a monthly giving club. If people feel good about giving once, many are open to giving again, especially when you keep them in the loop.

Small but mighty campaigns can work too.

You don’t need a national marketing team or celebrity ambassador to run an effective holiday giving campaign. Some of the most memorable efforts are powered by just a few passionate people, a clear ask, and a smart use of tools. 

Take a school that raised money for classroom supplies by letting donors "buy" specific wishlist items with a simple landing page with a few themed donation buttons and a cute progress tracker. Or a community group that ran a holiday photo contest on Instagram, asking supporters to donate $10 to enter and vote, with winners announced on New Year's Eve.

These campaigns worked because they felt accessible. They made supporters feel like part of the team, not just an ATM. They also used tools that saved the organizers time and frustration.

Silent Auction Pro was built with those kinds of teams in mind. Whether you’re running a raffle, adding fixed-price items, or just need to track donations in one place, the right tools can turn big ideas into manageable action steps without burning out your volunteers.

Planning your holiday giving campaign

If your team is stretched thin, planning ahead is your best friend. A little work up front gives you breathing room later, especially once you hit that busy stretch in late November and early December.

Start sketching your campaign calendar in early fall. Giving Tuesday makes a great kickoff point, but don’t stop there. Think about how you’ll space out emails, social posts, or special moments throughout December. If you’re hosting an event or wrapping up a larger campaign, leave some room for a final push in those last few donation-heavy days before the new year.

It also helps to assign roles. Whether you have a team of ten or just two people holding it all together, decide who’s handling what: copy, graphics, scheduling, tech setup, donor thank-yous. Don’t forget to bring your board or community partners in early, especially if they’ll be sharing the campaign with their own networks.

Finally, set up your communication assets ahead of time. Draft your emails and schedule them. Create social media templates. Preload those donor thank-you notes. Once things get rolling, you’ll be glad you’re not writing everything in real time.

Making it fun without adding pressure

Not every campaign needs to be high-stakes or high-polish. Some of the most effective holiday giving campaigns feel like celebrations, because they are. This season is already full of emotion, reflection, and good intentions. You can tap into that without trying to be everything to everyone.

Try adding a few low-effort elements that lighten the mood:

• A holiday playlist your team shares on social media
• A donor “hall of fame” with fun shoutouts or badges
• A themed photo challenge your supporters can join
• A single story that brings in warmth, humor, or joy

You can also use storytelling to take the edge off the ask. Rather than pushing the hard sell, center the people your campaign supports. Or tell a quick behind-the-scenes story about how your team preps for the holidays: volunteers decorating the event space, families arriving, last-minute fixes. These human moments go a long way.

Above all, remind yourself: it doesn’t have to be perfect. People don’t need flawless copy or fancy graphics. They need to know what you’re doing, why it matters, and how they can help.

Keep the spirit going into the new year

Holiday giving campaigns aren’t just about hitting a number before midnight on December 31. They’re about connection. If your campaign made someone feel like they were part of something meaningful, you’ve already won.

That’s the part worth carrying into January.

It might look like a thank-you email that shares results from the campaign. Or a post that shows behind-the-scenes photos from your event. Maybe it’s a note from a beneficiary. Maybe it’s just a reminder that their gift, no matter the size, really mattered.

If you're feeling overwhelmed, you're not alone. Most holiday campaigns are run by people wearing too many hats, with limited time and support. That’s exactly why Silent Auction Pro exists. We’ve helped thousands of volunteer teams and nonprofits simplify their events, reach new donors, and raise more with less stress.

You don’t need to reinvent the wheel. You just need a system that works. If you're curious how we can help, request a free demo, and let’s take the pressure off your next holiday giving campaign.

You’ve got the heart. We’ve got the tools. Let’s make this season count.