Why You Should Consider Moving Your Annual Grantmaking to the Summer

At Akron Community Foundation, we are accustomed to the rush of year-end grantmaking. As November and December arrive, fundholders often turn their attention to completing annual charitable gifts before the calendar closes. It is a tradition that makes sense — after all, the holiday season naturally inspires generosity.

But what if there were a way to make your giving even more impactful?

Most nonprofits conduct year-end fundraising campaigns because donors are often most focused on charitable giving during the final months of the year. While these campaigns are important, healthy nonprofit organizations require support throughout the entire year — not just during the holiday season.

Consider the business world. A company that depends on nearly all of its revenue arriving during the final quarter of the year would face significant challenges maintaining operations throughout the remaining months. Nonprofits face a similar reality. They must continue delivering services, paying staff, and meeting community needs every month, regardless of when donations arrive.

As a philanthropic advisor, I challenge donors to consider shifting their annual grantmaking from year-end to mid-year. By moving a gift from December to June or August, you may help strengthen an organization's financial stability and increase the impact of your philanthropy.

In her article "How Mid-Year Gifts Make Healthy Nonprofits," Dawn Franks identifies several benefits of mid-year giving:

It helps smooth cash flow challenges and keeps programs healthy throughout the year.
It provides critical support for organizations operating summer programs.
It allows nonprofit leaders and staff to stay focused on delivering services rather than worrying about short-term funding gaps.
It helps boards of directors avoid operating in crisis mode as they work to close unexpected budget shortfalls.

When donors provide support during the summer months, they help create stability at a time when many organizations experience what nonprofit leaders often call the "summer slump" — a period when donations tend to decline while community needs remain constant.

There are benefits for donors as well. By completing your annual grantmaking earlier in the year, you may find greater flexibility in your charitable budget and discover opportunities to make additional gifts later in the year when unexpected needs arise. You also avoid the year-end scramble that many donors experience when trying to remember outstanding charitable commitments before Dec. 31.

Perhaps most importantly, you'll enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing your charitable plans are already in place, allowing you to focus on family, celebrations, and the holiday season.

If you have served on a nonprofit board, you have likely witnessed firsthand the challenges organizations face during slower fundraising periods. You know how meaningful a mid-year gift can be — not only financially, but also as a vote of confidence in the organization's mission and leadership.

Want to take your summer giving even further?

If you are considering a grant of $10,000 or more, explore the possibility of structuring your gift as a matching grant. When developed in partnership with the nonprofit, matching grants can inspire additional community support and multiply the impact of your contribution.

As a fundholder, you have access to the Center for Family Philanthropy, which can help facilitate conversations with nonprofit partners and assist in developing a successful matching-gift strategy.

As this summer winds down, consider making your annual charitable gift a little earlier than usual. A simple change in timing could provide nonprofits with the stability they need to serve our communities more effectively — and make your philanthropy even more impactful.