End Of Financial Year Appeals: 4 reasons donors are different

End of financial year (EOFY) is a critical time for charities. In Australia, June is a time when we see more donation revenue come through than any other month. 

However, unlike giving at other times, EOFY donors are different, here are 4 reasons why:

1. They usually fit the profile of a middle or major donor

Instead of individual donors who give between $50-$200 in an appeal, the key EOFY donor segment fits the profile of a middle or major donor. They are likely to give a high value donation, and it is likely to be a once off gift. 

While these donors act more like middle or major they may not be identified with this audience yet, and could be hiding in your wider individual giving programs. They can be proactively identified through profiling by asset value or income via their postcodes.

2. They are often monogamous

Or at least, they are in terms of donations! While Australians give to multiple charities throughout the year, during EOFY most give their big donation to just one - due to convenience and time pressure. 

ntegrity’s latest donor sentiment research shows that 36% of respondents plan their giving ahead of EOFY, while 59% make a spontaneous decision. That’s why it’s critical to start stewarding these high value donors well ahead of June 30 and have an extended presence in market (especially on digital), so that when that time rolls around, your charity is top of mind and you’re tapping into a latent demand.

3. The bulk of your donations come in the final days and hours

Often they are donors who want to take advantage of the tax benefits of a donation, and may not know how much they need to give to stay within their tax bracket until late June. Or if they are self employed - they actually do not know how much they can give until their accountant tells them.

That’s why at EOFY, there is a massive jump in donations in the last few days leading up to June 30. In fact, many organisations will see approx. 55% or more of their revenue come in during the final week, and approx. 60% of that in the final 3 days of June. Make sure you plan your media budget accordingly and optimise your campaign as you go.

With this in mind, it’s also important to ensure the online giving process is seamless and easy for your donors. Your donors might want to give $20k, $50k, $100k and they want to get it in just before the deadline. Consider ways to make this easy for your donors: chatbots on your website, a call centre that is open on weekends during those final few days and till 11.59pm on June 30.

4. They aren’t new donors

Because donations are made last minute - you’re mostly talking to people who already know you i.e. those who have given in the 12-24 months. Unlike other appeals, your EOFY appeal is not usually about acquiring new donors, but priming and re-engaging past donors.

Your messaging should be about convincing your donors that they should give to your cause above many others clamouring for attention at this time of year.

In summary

EOFY Appeals are unlike anything else you’ll do all year. Combine a competitive market, unique donors, and an urgent deadline and you get something very different from your regular run of the mill appeal. They’re one of the biggest opportunities to raise money, if you don’t put your best foot forward, you’re leaving donations on the table. Hopefully, by keeping some of these factors in mind you can create a tax appeal that works harder than an accountant in June.