Your blueprint for a fast, confident start to 2026

As we enter the final stretch of 2025, many organisations are anxiously wondering: How can we position our fundraising to hit the ground sprinting in January?

The truth is that high-performance fundraising years don’t start in January — they start now. November and December offer a unique combination of donor energy, internal momentum, and market opportunity that, if used strategically, can transform the first quarter of 2026 from a “recovery period” into an acceleration lane.

At Belmont Fundraising, we see the organisations that consistently outperform in Q1 are the ones that treat November–December not just as a finish line, but as a launchpad.

Below are five practical strategies we recommend to fundraisers preparing for 2026.

1.    Use year-end energy to close donor decisions that have been “stuck”

By November, most organisations are carrying a tail of prospects who are engaged but not yet committed — major donors who have not finalised decisions, corporate partners waiting on internal approvals, foundations that expressed interest but haven’t confirmed next steps.

Year-end is the moment to break this inertia.

• Position December as the simplest moment to act (e.g., tax clarity, budget alignment, wrapping up commitments before the new year’s priorities compete).

• Use leadership wisely — a CEO call in mid-December often unlocks stalled major donor commitments.

• Offer structured giving options (instalments, multi-year framing, blended gift structures) that remove barriers to yes. 

2.    Front-load January stewardship before you leave for the holidays

Your donors are at their most emotionally engaged, and often available, in December and January. These months however are when many organisations go quiet. Don’t be one of them.

Our experience is that communications which land in December and January consistently produce the highest upgrade conversions. Fundraisers often delay these touchpoints, but by the time they act, the window has closed!

3.    Secure your early 2026 pipeline before you leave for Christmas

Many teams wait for January to begin booking donor meetings, submitting institutional proposals, or confirming corporate renewals.

High-performing teams secure commitments now, even if they activate later.

You walk into January with confirmed revenue conversations — not empty calendars.

4.    Use December performance to recalibrate 2026 forecasting (Not to Celebrate or Panic)

By mid-December, most organisations begin reacting emotionally to performance: celebrating early peaks or panicking about slow starts. Neither response is strategic.

Instead, use December as a real-time forecasting laboratory, and reset 2026 expectations, up or down, accordingly.

5.    Treat November–December as an internal alignment window

One of the most overlooked opportunities is internal. Your organisation is more aligned in December than at any other time of year. Colleagues may have more time than at others points in the year.

You can use this period to:

• Secure cross-departmental buy-in for January campaigns before everyone disperses for the holidays.

• Clarify 2026 case-for-support messaging, using year-end stories and data while they are top-of-mind.

• Close internal decision loops (budgets, campaign assets, donor journeys) so January starts with execution, not meetings.

Result:

When staff return in January, your organisation is ready to launch — not to plan.

Conclusion

The organisations that excel in Q1 are already laying the groundwork. By treating November and December as your launchpad, you ensure 2026 begins with momentum, clarity, and commitments in motion.

Well done and keep up the great work. It’s important!

By: Harvey Duthie, CEO, Belmont Fundraising Ltd., November 2025

www.belmontfundraising.com