Choosing the date for your fundraising event is among the most important decisions you will make during the event planning process. Although you have 365 days to choose from, only 75 are truly ideal for fundraising events. This blog will consider important factors as you narrow your options to the perfect date.
Consider your Competition
Think about this: according to the National Center for Charitable Statistics, there are more than 1.5 million non-profit organizations in the United States. These organizations range from local community groups to large international entities. Even though you aren’t competing with every charity across the country, this statistic is valuable to understand. It means that you need to be aware of local "competition" when you are picking out your event dates. For example, you don’t want to compete with another local event on the same evening. Worse yet, one with a similar cause and, more than likely, an overlapping donor base. Reviewing your local chamber and community calendars during the event planning process is highly recommended.
Don’t Forget About the Weather
Each season brings with it different weather-related challenges. Snow can affect those all along the Snow Belt during the colder winter months. Consider daytime or virtual events in winter; many prefer driving during the day instead of risking the icy roads at night. And don’t forget about hurricane season! Late summer and early fall bring hurricanes to certain parts of the country. Having a rain plan during hurricane season is a must! Your organization may need to postpone your event if one of these giant storms tracks towards your geographic location.
Avoid National Holidays
While some organizations thrive with their long-established holiday events (like a New Year’s Eve Ball), these holiday fundraising events often do not generate high returns. National holidays bring out stiff competition for donor attention. Potential donors may not prioritize your event, especially if they’re already committed to other celebrations. For these reasons, we recommend shying away from these holiday dates for successful philanthropic events.
Other Dates to Avoid
· Martin Luther King Day (1/20/25)
· Presidents Day Weekend (2/15/25 - 2/17/25)
· School Spring Break (March and April 2025)
· The week before and after April 15th (tax time) * (4/6/25 - 4/27/25)
· Passover Week (4/12/25 – 4/20/25) and Easter (4/20/25)
· Mother's Day (5/11/25)
· Memorial Day Weekend (5/24/25 - 5/26/25)
· The last two weeks in August (vacationers' last hoorah and kids back to school and college)
(8/16/25 – 8/31/25)
· Labor Day Weekend (8/30/25-9/1/25)
· Rosh Hashanah (9/22/25 – 9/24/25)
· Yom Kippur (10/1/25 and 10/2/25)
· Halloween (10/31/25)
· Thanksgiving Week (11/27/25 – 12/3/25)
· The first week in January (1/1/25 - 1/7/25)
· Giving Tuesday (You will be competing with every organization on that date) (12/2/25)
· The last two weeks in December (12/17/25 - 12/31/25)
*Psychologically, people are more concerned about their finances before and after they have paid their taxes. So for fundraising purposes, staying away from this time of the year is better.
Stay Away From Big Sporting Events
Look at the calendar and map out all the significant sporting events. For example, Super Bowl weekend is a major time for football fans, with Super Bowl parties and related activities consuming much of the weekend. Hosting an event during this time would mean battling for attention with one of the most widely watched sporting events in the country. Having your event compete with one of these major events is not ideal. Even the dates with smaller events, like the Kentucky Derby, or the Masters, are best to avoid.
Also, May 3rd, 2025, will be your date for those Kentucky Derby Day events!
*BONUS TIP: Country clubs often have televisions in the bar areas. If you hold your event on a night when a big sporting event is on, insist your venue keeps the TVs turned off during your event to allow the most focus on fundraising.
Other Distractions in 2025?
Live events hold a special place in a world of digital distractions. However, with in-person events, your fundraiser might face competition from others vying for donor attention. Monitor local and national trends to ensure your event stands out amid the noise.
What Night of the Week is Best?
"Which night of the week is best?" is one of the most common questions we receive from our nonprofit partners. For nonprofits looking to maximize participation, Saturday nights are generally the best choice. People are typically well-rested and more inclined to go out for an enjoyable evening of philanthropy. Friday nights are another great option, as individuals are often eager to start their weekend early. Thursdays can attract a younger crowd if the event is kept on a tight and focused timeline. If you're targeting a younger demographic, Thursdays might be a fantastic option, but for more traditional donors, Saturday nights are the "tried and true" event date. Ultimately, the success of the event often depends on knowing your audience and when they’re most likely to be available and enthusiastic about attending.
After analyzing the calendar for 2025, AmFund predicts the most popular Spring 2025 fundraising date to be: March 8th, 2025.
The American Fundraising Foundation partners with over 600 organizations annually and has distributed nearly 60 million dollars to worthy nonprofits nationwide. Our highly-experienced Development Team will ensure that your next event is primed to raise the necessary funds to support your worthy cause. Contact us today for further assistance planning for your 2025 fundraising event. We look forward to learning about your worthwhile cause and assisting you in making a significant impact into 2025 and beyond!