Meet donors where they are this season

Engagement has evolved past getting someone to open an email or click a donate button. It's about meeting supporters where they are, whether that's understanding new tax laws that affect their giving, designing appeals they can actually read, or opening up pathways for non-cash contributions.

With year-end approaching and a generational wealth transfer reshaping philanthropy, the way you connect with donors matters more than ever. This week, we're sharing strategies to help you engage smarter: from finding the next generation of supporters to creating messages that resonate across age groups and giving levels.

The take-home template

With over 30% of annual giving happening in December, having the right messaging ready is crucial. OneCause created seven ready-to-use email templates covering everything from Giving Tuesday appeals to matching gift reminders and last-chance year-end asks, so you can drive action without starting from scratch.

Snackable snippets

Is the graphic design hurting response rates? 📖

Your graphic designer might love that gray sans-serif font on a dark background, but your donors probably can't read it. Most donors are over 60, and design choices that feel trendy often reduce readability. Use black serif fonts at 12pt or larger, keep text on clean backgrounds, and let your copy do the heavy lifting while design supports it.

How to talk about tax-law changes in year-end appeals 📖

Starting in 2026, new tax law changes how donors benefit from giving—itemizers receive better tax breaks by making donations before December 31, while standard filers benefit more by waiting until after January 1. Fundraisers should consider extending gift deadlines to January 15 and offering simple guidance: "If you itemize, do this. If you take the standard deduction, do that."

Research: AI reshapes customer engagement 📖

AI has moved from experimental to essential, with 92% of marketers saying it transforms how they connect with consumers. Precision-first marketers who use AI across six or more platforms waste 27% less budget and are 40% more likely to quality-check campaigns before launch.

For your inspiration folder

Autism Speaks is expanding beyond traditional financial asks by accepting vehicle and real estate donations, opening up new giving pathways for supporters who want to contribute in non-cash ways. The campaign positions cars, trucks, RVs, vacation homes, and land as opportunities to fuel research, lifespan services, and advocacy, meeting donors where they already have assets.