In this episode of The Doing Good Lab, Jim Killion, Aaron Sandoval, and Danna Arnold unpack how nonprofits can thrive during year-end giving — a season that often brings in 30% of annual revenue. The team shares tested strategies on messaging, donor engagement, timing, and improving the giving experience.
Key Takeaways:
- Start planning early — build a detailed calendar by summer or catch up starting now.
- Use clear, emotionally resonant messaging tailored to timing.
- Optimize donation forms to reduce friction and abandonment.
- Segment donor communications based on giving behavior.
- Use storytelling, urgency, and variety in your appeals.
- Leverage multiple channels — email, social, homepage, direct mail.
- Always thank donors promptly and personally.
Plus, discover the powerful Christmas Eve letter strategy Jim created for a nonprofit client — which has become the #1 income producer for the year for many clients — and why its heartfelt, personal touch still works today. And finally, you’ll hear more about Digizent’s giving platform —FlexFormz — and how it helps convert more site visitors to givers and can help you.
Episode 2 Guest Bios:
Jim Killion – Digizent Chief Executive Officer:
Founder and leader of Digizent International, Jim is an award-winning industry leader who has been pioneering digital concepts since 1995. He is the founder of 10 direct response companies. He launched his first digital group in 1995 and has been breaking interactive barriers ever since. Jim is a Diamond Echo Award winner, the highest award given by the Direct Marketing Association.
Aaron Sandoval – Digizent Chief Creative Officer:
Aaron is an award-winning authority, speaker, and industry leader on interactive strategy, architecture, user experience, and creativity. He has crafted interactive media for dozens of partners such as SONY Music, Coca-Cola, PayPal, Susan G. Komen, Network for Good, and has worked for scores of international enterprises.
Danna Arnold – Senior Vice-President, Strategic Services
Danna is a direct marketing and fundraising veteran who provides strategic direction to Digizent’s nonprofit and commercial clients. From email to forms, websites to landing pages, Danna’s experience and strategic thinking are honed by more than two decades of service to leading commercial brands like AT&T, Nike, Ford, and the NBA — as well as major nonprofits like the American Bible Society, IFCJ, Feed The Children, MD Anderson Cancer Center, and First Liberty.
FREE Fundraising Resource:
Download your Year-End Giving Checklist for Nonprofits — a must-have guide with practical steps to plan, message, and optimize your campaign.
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Digizent | Doing good.™
At Digizent, we create strategic, creative, and technical digital solutions that are award-winning, dynamic, and purpose-built for your nonprofit’s success. We believe results reach far beyond clicks and conversions. They touch lives, build futures, and shape a better world. That’s Doing good.™
Learn more about Digizent and how we help nonprofits grow at Digizent.com.
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