Summer may still be a recent memory, but now is the time to start plans for your Christmas fundraising. November and December are the biggest months by far for donations - 30% of the year's total here at Localgiving. If you aren’t set up to properly fundraise online, you will miss out on this peak period.

Today Localgiving will show you why it’s crucial to make the most of this season of goodwill and offer all new members a special £100 match-fund offer if you join before 31^st October – see below for the offer.

From the Three Kings giving their gifts to baby Jesus through to Father Christmas coming down the chimney with a sack of presents, the tradition of festive giving remains strong. And it isn’t only material donations, December also sees an increase in volunteering and acts of community kindness and togetherness. Christmas is a time of looking forward as well as back, and thinking of those less fortunate than us, both at home and abroad.

In 2024, the British public gave an estimated £2.8 billion to charities during November and December, according to Charities Aid Foundation’s (CAF’s) UK Giving research. This data also found that half (50%) of the public say they always or usually donate to charity over the festive period, significantly higher than the third of people (34%) who regularly give money to charity throughout the rest of the year.

The top reasons cited in the CAF research for donating during the festive period include:

• People are more aware of those in need during this time (37%)
• It’s a traditional time to give (28%)
• People are more aware of charity appeals (23%)
• People donate instead of giving presents (10%)

For charities, the festive surge in support helps them meet increased demand during the holiday period and sustain their vital work in the post-Christmas funding slump, January typically only accounts for 5% of annual donations, which is why securing Direct Debits is so key (the heart of our special offer) to capture this spirt of giving and channel it across the year.

Five key things for charities to consider at Christmas:

1. It’s the funding peak of the year: A very large percentage of annual donations, sometimes up to 40%, are received in November and December. Make this is a successful period of fundraising and it can support you massively into the new year.
2. Donor engagement increases: New donors come on-board and existing supporters increase their generosity.
3. Make the most of the Season: With people more amenable to giving, it’s a great time to run campaigns to attract new donors.
4. Raising Awareness: A campaign at this time of year can greatly amplify awareness of critical social issues, such as poverty and the energy crisis
5. Increased Demand for Services: Depending on your organisation’s focus, the festive period can see a greater need for support, making donations even more important.

We are delighted to be able to help you kickstart your festive fundraising with Localgiving. Any new members that sign up before 31^st October 2025 can access up to £100 in match funding when you complete your registration This is the perfect incentive to encourage those all-important Direct Debits to your cause! This offer is open to charities, CICs and community organisations.

How does it work? Every time someone sets up a Direct Debit, we’ll match up to £10 of their first donation. For up to ten donations. So, you get a simple and compelling reason to reach out to your donors. 

Why it works? Our members tell us it is easier to approach donors when they have a reason to do so. In this case, to help your organisation unlock funds by setting up a Direct Debit. And donors are much happier to take part when someone else is contributing. 

What is the outcome?  Find just 10 donors to set up a minimum £5 donation (focus on your immediate network - with a few emails and texts you'll get there in no time!) and your cause will be receiving £100 per month, that's £1200 per year, not to mention the £100 extra boost from Localgiving! Plus receive all the other fundraising benefits that a Localgiving membership offers, including our new AI Grant Assistant tool.

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What your membership will deliver.

This offer is only open to new Localgiving members, completing their membership sign up before the 31^st October 2025 Read more about the benefits of this kind of donation here -  Why Direct Debits are key to ensuring financial growth for your charity.

This special £100 match fund offer is in addition to many fundraising benefits that our membership offers. The cost of membership is £150 (excl. VAT) with the average member raising £4461.16 a year in donations. 

Your new Localgiving membership will deliver all this and more: 

• Set up a fundraising page and share across your community 
• For each direct debit that signs up to support you, we’ll match up to £10* 
• Receive support, resources and webinars helping you every step of the way 
• Gain access to our new AI Grant Assistant that makes your grant applications quicker and easier than ever before.
• Engage with your supporters to fundraise for you 
• Secure the funding you need to do amazing things in 2025! 

*Up a total of £100, new members only. 

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