As we head into Q4, many non-profits naturally gear up for the year-end giving surge. But focusing solely on December donations is not enough. To truly thrive, organizations need non-profit fundraising strategies that focus on donor engagement and diversified funding all year long.

Cleveland’s Non-Profit Landscape: The Stakes Are Real

• Greater Cleveland is home to more than 15,800 non-profits, employing over 282,000 people, generating $45 billion in revenue, and holding $100 billion in assets.
• About 1,280 of those are human-services organizations, contributing $1.3 billion in revenue and employing nearly 19,000 staff.
• In Cuyahoga County alone, there are approximately 6,000 non-profits, and more than 72% would be operating at a loss without government funding.
• Roughly two-thirds of local non-profits have annual incomes under $500,000, making them especially vulnerable to fluctuations in funding.
• Nearly three-quarters of Cuyahoga County nonprofits would operate at a loss without government funding.

Facing Fear and Building Resilience

We all know non-profits are running leaner than ever. Lost funding streams have left organizations feeling exposed and uncertain. That fear is real and it is shared across the sector. But fear is not the strategy. Resilience is. Non-profits that focus on diversifying revenue, cultivating deeper donor relationships, and planning across 12 months consistently outperform those that wait for one giving season to carry the year.

Across Greater Cleveland, organizations have weathered disruption before—from recessions to policy shifts. The ones that adapted early and broadened their base of support are the ones still standing strong today.

Why Broader Planning Is Critical to Sustainability

Relying too heavily on Q4 is risky. Diversified funding lowers risk. Lean organizations don’t have the luxury of waiting for a single giving season. If year-end dollars don’t come through, the impact is immediate. Planning across the year reduces that exposure.

Better stewardship builds loyalty. Staying in touch with supporters year-round—through storytelling, updates, and involvement—fosters lasting relationships. Donors who feel connected give more consistently. Also, how many of your donors are giving to other organizations? Don’t make them pick in Q4 who they donate to. Help spread the asks year-round.

Opportunity exists beyond the holidays. GivingTuesday and year-end appeals matter—but they’re not the whole picture. Spring campaigns, events, grants, and donor cultivation all open new doors when planned with intention. For example, national data shows that nearly 30% of annual giving happens in December, but donor retention rates hover below 50%. That leaves a lot of room to grow by engaging earlier in the year.

Why Broader Planning Is Critical

• Diversified funding lowers risk. Lean organizations don’t have the luxury of waiting for a single giving season. If year-end dollars don’t come through, the impact is immediate. Planning across the year reduces that exposure.
• Better stewardship builds loyalty. Staying in touch with supporters year-round—through storytelling, updates, and involvement—fosters lasting relationships. Donors who feel connected give more consistently. Also, how many of your donors are giving to other organizations? Don’t make them pick in Q4 who they donate to. Help spread the asks year-round.
• Opportunity exists beyond the holidays. GivingTuesday and year-end appeals matter—but they’re not the whole picture. Spring campaigns, events, grants, and donor cultivation all open new doors when planned with intention (or how about those tax refunds in April?)

What All Non-Profits Can Do Right Now

• Conduct a mid-year check-in. Look at donor engagement to date. Who’s given? Who’s lapsed? Where are you tracking behind goals?
• Plan seasonal micro-campaigns. Identify moments outside of Q4 to tell your story—like awareness months, anniversaries, or community milestones.
• Strengthen donor relationships. Go beyond receipts. Follow up, share impact, and keep the connection alive between asks. Donors respond to authentic stories of impact.
• Find new donors. Build relationships with tomorrow’s givers—the one-time event attendee or volunteer who may start small but can grow over time.
• Diversify revenue. Consider corporate partners, earned income, peer-to-peer fundraising, or sponsorships that provide support beyond individual donations.

One Cleveland non-profit saw stronger donor loyalty by launching a spring campaign tied to a community awareness month.

What’s Currently Working Best

Despite the challenges, many non-profits are finding new momentum by:

• Running short, focused micro-campaigns tied to specific awareness months or urgent needs.
• Building stronger donor pipelines through volunteer-to-donor conversion efforts.
• Using storytelling in digital channels to show real-time impact and outcomes.
• Cultivating recurring donors who provide predictable monthly support.
• Seeking corporate partnerships that align with community goals and values.

In Cleveland, We’re All in This Together

Across Greater Cleveland, non-profits are doing essential work. From arts to education, from hunger relief to housing—this sector is a critical piece of our region’s well-being. But to remain effective and sustainable, we need to move beyond the Q4 crunch.

Let’s reframe the calendar. Let’s plan for impact 12 months a year. Because the mission and the people you serve deserve more.

Ready to Build a Stronger Strategy?

If your organization is ready to strengthen its year-round fundraising strategy, we’d love to help. Schedule a free consultation call today and let’s explore how to build resilience and impact beyond December.