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Giving Day Resource Library

Real-world guidance for teams who know Giving Days, and want to make the next one better

Giving Days are familiar territory for most fundraising teams. You’ve run them. You’ve learned from them. And every year, you tweak a little more.

This library is built for that stage. It’s not “Giving Day 101,” but the questions that come after you’ve been through a few like: How do we build momentum without burning out our team? How do we thank donors in real time when everything’s moving fast? How do we turn one busy day into long-term engagement?

These resources are meant to be used together – before, during, and after Giving Day – based on what we’ve seen work in the field.

Start Here: What Actually Moves the Needle

If you only read a few things, start with these. They reflect the patterns we see again and again across successful Giving Days,  regardless of size or sector.

Giving Day Best Practices: How Top Teams Build Momentum, Steward in Real Time, and Retain New Donors

A practical, experience-based look at what consistently works on Giving Day — and what tends to fall apart when teams try to do too much at once.
Dig in

Using AI to Make Giving Day Easier (Not Less Human)

A grounded guide to how teams are actually using AI tools like ChatGPT to save time on Giving Day without losing their voice.
Jump in

How to incorporate video into every stage of your giving day

Where personalized video fits best before, during, and after Giving Day — and how teams use it to build excitement, show gratitude, and reinforce impact without overproducing.
Add It In

Building Momentum Before the Day

These examples show how teams used pre-giving day strategy, not just day-of tactics, to stand out and drive participation.

How TCU Exceeded Their Giving Day Goals with Direct Mail

How a targeted direct mail strategy helped TCU cut through digital noise and drive Giving Day participation.
Read the story

How Direct Mail Segmentation Helped La Sierra University Soar to Giving Day Success

A closer look at how segmentation and timing made direct mail a meaningful part of La Sierra’s Giving Day strategy.
Read the story

How Cleveland State University Designs Giving Day Like a Campaign

How CSU used storytelling, music, and personalized video to build excitement ahead of Giving Day — resulting in a 25% increase in dollars raised and strong alumni engagement.
Read the story

Micro-campaign Planning Workbook

A hands-on workbook for keeping Giving Day campaigns focused, intentional, and manageable, especially when teams are juggling multiple priorities.
Access the workbook

The Strategic Role of Major Gifts in an Acquisition-Focused Giving Day

A strategic perspective on the role major gifts can (and should) play in acquisition-focused Giving Days, and how a few well-timed commitments can support momentum without taking over the day.
Read more

While the Day Is Live: Stewardship in the Moment

Giving Day moves fast. These resources focus on what teams prioritize during the day — especially when it comes to donor experience and gratitude.

Get Inspired: University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

How UTC sent 1,100 personalized thank-you videos during Giving Day — and why real-time stewardship helped sustain momentum and trust.
Learn more

Your Real-Time Stewardship Checklist

A simple, practical checklist teams can use during Giving Day to decide what to send, when to send it, and who owns it, without overthinking.
Download the Checklist

After the Day: Where Giving Day Really Pays Off

Once the clock stops, the real opportunity begins — especially with first-time donors.

Team Playbook for Giving Day Follow-Up

A tactical playbook for structuring post-Giving Day follow-up, assessing engagement signals, and routing donors into the right next steps.
Access the Playbook

Do This One Thing to Boost Donor Retention Rates

Most first-time donors don’t give again. This blog shows how Illinois State’s fast, personal follow-up helps turn one-time gifts into lasting support.
Read the story

Nonprofit donor retention: Stealable tips from 3 award-winning teams

Three stories of small non-profit teams that are using personalized stewardship to make their donors feel like one in a million.
Learn more

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