Five Ways to Keep Donors Engaged During the Summer Months

Summer often brings a natural lull in nonprofit engagement. Supporters are traveling, routines shift, and inboxes fill with out-of-office replies. But what if summer could be your secret weapon for deepening donor relationships and setting your organization up for a strong year-end?

With a little creativity, the warm months can be a time to surprise, delight, and connect with your community in new ways.

Let’s talk about how you can keep your mission front and center without overwhelming your team or your supporters.

Share Impact Stories That Feel Like Summer to Keep Donors Engaged

Invite your donors to step into the sunshine with you. Summer is a season of possibility, and your stories can reflect that energy. Maybe it’s a child enjoying camp for the very first time, thanks to donor support, or a community garden bursting with life. A single photo of a child at camp or a thriving garden can speak volumes. So, let your visuals do the talking! Use bright images and authentic voices to remind donors that their giving creates real-world change, even when they’re on vacation.

Pro Tip: Try sharing a quick video or candid photo update on social media. Snackable content is perfect for busy summer days.

Host Low-Lift, High-Connection Events

Not every event needs to be a big production. Sometimes, the most memorable moments come from casual, local gatherings like ice cream socials, volunteer days, or even a virtual “Coffee & Conversation” Zoom call. It’s not about the size of the gathering, but the quality of the connections you make. These events offer a genuine way for donors to connect with your mission and with each other, and they’re a great chance to thank supporters personally or gather informal feedback.

Pro Tip: Even a simple “Lunch & Learn” or a pop-up meet-up at a local park can spark new ideas and deepen donor loyalty.

Send a Mid-Year Thank You and Sneak Peek

Summer is the perfect time to pause and show appreciation. A heartfelt thank you now can set the tone for a strong year-end appeal later. Consider sending a brief mid-year update, a quick video message from your team, or a handwritten note from someone impacted by your work. Seeing a friendly face or reading a personal message makes gratitude feel more genuine. And don’t forget to give donors a sneak peek at what’s ahead in the fall. Keeping them in the loop reminds them that there’s still important work to be done.

Pro Tip: Try a short video message from your executive director. People love putting a face to the mission!

Create a Summer Giving Challenge

Why not turn giving into a game? Summer gives you permission to be a little more playful, so lean into that energy with a seasonal campaign. Maybe it’s a “75 Days of Impact” drive or a “Summer Match Challenge” if you have a matching donor. Friendly competition and real-time progress updates keep your community energized and invested. Encourage donors to invite friends. Peer-to-peer fundraising can double (or triple!) your summer impact.

Pro Tip: Use countdowns, live updates, or a leaderboard to keep the momentum going and make donors feel like they’re part of something big.

Keep It Short, Sweet, and Mobile-Friendly

Let’s face it: people are reading emails on the go more than ever in the summer. That means your content should be quick to skim, visually appealing, and mobile-optimized. Think bold headlines, bright images, and one-click actions like donating, watching a video, or RSVPing for an event. Test your emails on your own phone before sending—if it’s easy for you, it’ll be easy for your donors!

Pro Tip: Try sending emails early in the morning or later in the evening, when donors are more likely to be scrolling through their phones.

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Donor engagement doesn’t have to go on vacation just because it’s summer. When you meet donors where they are, you show that you value their time and attention. Small touches now can lead to big results later.

Start with just one of these ideas and watch your donor relationships bloom.