Summer is here.

For many nonprofits, it's a chance to catch their breath before the busiest fundraising months of the year.

But while things may feel quieter now, the most successful organizations know that GivingTuesday and year-end success starts long before the first campaign goes live.

Summer is the perfect time to review your fundraising strategy, optimize the donor experience, and set yourself up for a strong finish to the year.

Here's your Summer Donation Checklist.

☑️ 1. Refresh Your Fundraiser Page

Your donation page is one of the most important touchpoints in the donor journey.

Ask yourself:
📱 Is it mobile-friendly?
⚡ Is it easy to complete?
💜 Does it clearly communicate your impact?
💳 Does it offer multiple ways to give?

A seamless donation experience reduces friction and helps more supporters complete their gifts.

With Pledge's customizable fundraiser pages, you can create beautiful, mobile-first giving experiences that inspire action in just a few clicks.

☑️ 2. Strengthen Your Recurring Giving Program

One-time donations are valuable. Recurring donors help build long-term sustainability.

Take time this summer to:
🔄 Review your monthly giving options
💬 Update your messaging
🌱 Share the long-term impact of recurring support
📈 Make enrollment simple

Small monthly gifts often become some of an organization's most valuable sources of consistent funding.

With Pledge's recurring giving tools, supporters can easily turn a one-time gift into lasting impact.

☑️ 3. Test Your Text-to-Donate Campaign

Don't wait until GivingTuesday to test your text-to-donate experience.

Summer is the perfect opportunity to:
💬 Choose a short, memorable keyword
📲 Test the donor journey
👥 Train staff and volunteers
📣 Start introducing it in your communications

A simple keyword can turn moments of inspiration into immediate action.

With Pledge's Text-to-Donate, supporters can give wherever they are with just a quick text.

☑️ 4. Add ACH Giving

Donors are increasingly looking for flexible ways to give. One option growing in popularity is ACH (Automated Clearing House), which allows supporters to donate directly from their bank accounts.

Benefits include:
💸 Lower transaction fees
🔄 Easier recurring giving
💰 Greater efficiency for larger gifts
📈 Stronger long-term donor retention

Offering ACH alongside other payment methods gives donors more choice and helps more of every donation reach your mission.

☑️ 5. Refresh Your Impact Stories

People don't just give because they understand your mission. They give because they connect with it emotionally.

Summer is a great time to update:
📸 Photos
🎥 Videos
📖 Donor success stories
💜 Beneficiary testimonials
📊 Impact statistics

Fresh storytelling builds trust and gives supporters a compelling reason to stay engaged throughout the year.

⚡ One Platform. Everything You Need for Giving Season.

The best fundraising campaigns don't happen by accident. They're built through thoughtful preparation.

With Pledge, nonprofits can prepare for giving season by bringbing all of their fundraising tools together in one place, including:
📄 Custom fundraiser pages
💬 Text-to-Donate
📲 QR codes
💸 ACH giving
🏢 Employer matching
🔄 Recurring donations
👥 Peer-to-peer fundraising
📊 Real-time reporting and campaign insights

Instead of scrambling when GivingTuesday arrives, you'll be ready to meet donors wherever inspiration strikes.

🌎 Organizations Preparing for a Strong Giving Season

These organizations continue to innovate their fundraising strategies, and all accept donations through Pledge:

🏡 Miry's List
Supporting refugee and immigrant families by connecting them with essential resources, community support, and opportunities to thrive.

💜 Altadena Girls
Empowering girls and young women through resources, mentorship, and community-driven initiatives that help them reach their full potential.

⚖️ ImmDef (Immigrant Defenders Law Center)
Providing free legal representation and advocacy to protect the rights of immigrant communities and keep families together.

🌍 CORE (Community Organized Relief Effort)
Delivering rapid disaster relief and long-term recovery efforts to communities affected by crises around the world.

☀️ Check It Off Now. Celebrate It Later.

Summer may be quieter. But it's also one of the most valuable seasons for planning.

A few small improvements today can make a huge difference when GivingTuesday and year-end fundraising arrive. Refresh your donation experience. Reduce friction. Tell better stories. Give supporters more ways to give.

Because the nonprofits that prepare early are often the ones celebrating the biggest impact later.

👉 Explore Pledge's fundraising tools
👉 Find a cause that inspires you