79 percent of annual giving in the United States happens in the last few weeks of the year, according to the Nonprofit Times (source at end). January arrives and donations usually drop by 60 to 80 percent for many small nonprofits.
In Kitsap County, this drop hits harder. Many local nonprofits rely on winter giving to support programs in Bremerton, Port Orchard, Poulsbo, Kingston, Silverdale, Bainbridge Island, Hansville, and nearby communities for the next 6 to 9 months.
This blog tackles a simple question:
How can Kitsap nonprofits turn short holiday generosity into long term revenue that supports them through summer?
The answer is what I call a Kitsap Holiday Revenue Boost for nonprofits. It is not only fundraising. It is a momentum building plan that continues after the holiday lights come down.
The Real Problem Begins in January
Holiday fundraising spikes create a false sense of financial security.
In January through March, everything slows:
• Attendance drops
• Pledges get delayed
• Operational costs return to normal
• Events feel harder to promote
• Volunteers get busy again
According to Classy’s State of Modern Philanthropy report, donor conversion from one time gifts to recurring support averages only 19 percent without follow up. That means 81 percent of holiday donors will not return unless intentionally re-engaged.
This is exactly where most Kitsap nonprofits struggle.
Not because their mission is weak.
Not because people do not care.
But because there is no continuity bridge between holiday giving and the rest of the year.
Kitsap Holiday Revenue Boost for Nonprofits: What It Actually Means
This phrase is not just seasonal. It is a framework with three goals:
1. Capture donor energy during holiday months
Set up systems that do not rely on pressure or guilt. Make giving feel like a partnership.
2. Extend donor engagement into Q1 and Q2
Turn a December donor into a February supporter and a June volunteer.
3. Transfer holiday visibility into year-long presence
Maintain awareness so that donation seasons are not the only time your mission is seen.
Think of it like planting bulbs in December so that flowers bloom in April.
Why Kitsap nonprofits have a unique advantage
Kitsap County has something larger cities struggle with:
• Close community ties
• Local pride
• High visibility events
• Neighbors who value purpose over scale
People in Kitsap like supporting causes they can see. Local support feels personal. A Kitsap Holiday Revenue Boost for nonprofits uses this local advantage instead of generic marketing.
When you talk the way locals talk, more people listen:
• Mention Harborview Drive in Gig Harbor
• Reference summer at The Port Orchard Market
• Talk about Liberty Bay in Poulsbo
• Mention Clear Creek Trails in Silverdale
• Acknowledge ferry riders from Bainbridge Island
Language that feels local builds trust without trying to sell.
What creates fundraising momentum after the holidays?
1. Micro Commitments that feel natural
Instead of asking for a large gift again, invite donors to:
• Follow your progress on social media
• Give five dollars monthly
• Share your mission page once a month
• Attend a volunteer orientation
• Subscribe to a community newsletter
These are small steps that keep the relationship breathing.
Why it works: Consistency beats pressure. According to Network for Good, donors who take a small action within 60 days of their first gift are 3 times more likely to stay long term.
2. Kitsap themed donor journeys
Create donor experiences based on local identity.
Examples:
• Bainbridge Island Donor Circle
• Bremerton Waterfront Sustainers Club
• Silverdale Summer Impact Circle
• Port Orchard Monthly Harbor Partners
Local identity feels like belonging. It creates group pride. It removes distance between donor and mission.
3. Evergreen fundraising assets
Holiday campaigns end. Evergreen assets keep going.
Evergreen examples:
• Stories of impact published monthly on TheKitsap.com or LinkedIn
• Donor thank you video filmed at a recognizable Kitsap landmark
• Google Business Profile posts answering real questions
• Local collaborations with salons, cafes, clinics, or senior homes
These assets drive traffic for months, not days.
4. Gift card and prepaid impact model
This is inspired by many successful Kitsap businesses.
Instead of asking for donations only, nonprofits can offer:
• Prepaid sponsorships
• Prepaid volunteer hours funded by families
• Community gift card campaigns where donors activate support in advance
This system creates revenue sooner and impact later.
5. Data collection in December. Action in January.
Holiday attention is a data gold mine.
If you collect:
• Names
• Email
• Why they donated
• How they heard about you
You can tailor your January message to match their motivation.
Someone who says they donated because of animals will not respond to a generic update about facility improvements. Personalization shows respect.
And respect creates retention.
What a Kitsap Holiday Revenue Boost for nonprofits looks like in practice
January
• Send thank you messages. Personal and short.
• Share one success story. No pressure to give.
• Invite readers to a 20 minute Zoom tour of your mission.
February
• Host a micro event.
• Share behind the scenes.
• Launch a donor circle named after a Kitsap location.
March
• Run the first evergreen campaign.
• Partner with 2 local businesses where your supporters shop.
• Offer prepaid sponsorship instead of seasonal donations.
Momentum happens through rhythm, not pressure.
Real Kitsap examples and inspiration
These are real, local stories of momentum:
Bainbridge Island Museum of Art
They maintain community presence with year-round free festivals and continue donor conversations long after holiday drives. Their event structure creates recurring foot traffic and energy.
Kitsap Humane Society
Their visible campaigns and seasonal events keep engagement active across social platforms even outside peak seasons. Their transparency and frequency of storytelling maintains trust.
Coffee Oasis
They share mission progress weekly. Not only during campaigns. Many donors do not give money first. They volunteer, attend, or advocate. That leads to sustained financial partnerships.
These examples prove that momentum is possible.
How to talk to donors after the holidays without sounding like you are asking again
Here is a sample script:
“Thank you for supporting us during our holiday campaign. Your support helped us start the year with clarity. Right now, our focus is maintaining momentum. If you would like to follow along, I will send one short monthly update. If you ever want to be more involved, you can reply anytime.”
This message does not push. It invites.
Frequently Asked Questions
How soon should we start planning holiday revenue momentum?
Start in September. Prepare messaging by October. Collect data in December. Act in January.
What channel works best in Kitsap County?
Email, Facebook community groups, Google Business Profile posts, and collaborations with local businesses.
Should we ask for donations every month?
Not always. Ask for engagement, presence, partnership, attendance, or shares. Donations become a byproduct of belonging.
Final Word: Momentum is the mission
A Kitsap Holiday Revenue Boost for nonprofits is not about squeezing more money from the same donors. It is about honoring generosity by turning it into lasting support.
Holiday donations are the spark.
Momentum is the flame that keeps going.
If even 20 percent of holiday donors stay connected, your nonprofit can enter summer strong. That strength means more lives served, more programs supported, and more Kitsap stories changed for the better.
If you are a Kitsap nonprofit and you want help designing a momentum plan, send a message or share your mission in the comments. I would love to feature local success stories in future content.
Or share this blog with someone running a nonprofit here in Kitsap County. Your share might be the spark that keeps their winter generosity alive until next year.