Here’s the thing about September in fundraising — it’s when summer’s gentle nudge becomes autumn’s full-court press, and suddenly everyone remembers that December 31st isn’t actually that far away. If June felt overwhelming, September is like June’s caffeinated older sibling who just remembered they have a term paper due tomorrow.
Why June Feels Like a Frenzy (It’s Not Just About Events)
Let’s be honest: June isn’t a mere warmup act for September—it’s a marathon in its own right. And it’s not just because of the flurry of galas and Spring Flings. June is also the apex of solicitations, because every professional fundraiser knows that if you don’t secure a major donor’s gift before they disappear to the lake, you might not get them at all. Donors who give to multiple charities? By mid-June, they’re experiencing a real case of Spring events fatigue—overwhelmed by event invitations and solicitation letters from every direction.
I remember a donor once sighed, “I got four event invites last week. I want to support everyone, but it’s overwhelming!” Every fundraiser is hustling to wrap up business before the world checks out for summer. And here’s a hidden stressor: the shrinking fiscal runway. If a prospect says no in March, there are nine months to recover. But a “no” come October? With only a couple of months left, your replacement options for budgeted gifts are suddenly slim. The pressure, then, isn’t just about workload—it’s about having less room to maneuver with every month that ticks by.
So What Happens in September?
Fast forward to September. Your events are mostly behind you… but the stakes haven’t lowered; they’ve spiked. Most large grant-making foundations and corporations have already allocated their annual support by now, so those major institutional gifts are pretty much decided for the current year. September’s scramble becomes all about maximizing what’s left, stewarding your relationships, and laying groundwork for the next funding cycle.
Here’s the twist: your best prospects may be tapped out or have signaled “not this year.” Any big wins now require long-view planning. The stress morphs from “can I do it all?” to “can I land what’s left and keep my pipeline strong for next year?” The window for replacing the big fish who got away gets really, really small.
The Professional Fundraiser’s Dilemma: Where to Focus When the Pressure Mounts
By September, every “no” feels weightier—especially when the “yes” list is depleted. So where should you focus?
- Close what you can, steward what you must: Take care of those remaining prospects, but double down on stewardship with top donors, letting them see and feel their impact now.
- Expand your “next best” list: Don’t wait until December’s crunch; use September to identify and cultivate new relationships and re-engage lapsed supporters. Reach out to LYBNTs (Last Year But Not This) and lapsed donors, not just the tried-and-true.
- Connect personally: With big institutional checks often decided, tailor your outreach to individual donors. Storytelling, behind-the-scenes impact, and sincere appreciation matter more than ever at this time of year.
- Lay the foundation for next year: Start booking meetings with major funders now to get on their radar for 2026. Ask for guidance, updates on their priorities, and insights on timing for the next round of applications. January is an ugly month to start booking meetings.
September’s Pressure Is Proof of The Stakes
Here’s the truth: the gut-wrenching worry over missed goals, the scramble to replace gifts, the fatigue after June’s tidal wave of asks—all of this means the work matters. September’s stress is the cost—and blessing—of stewarding a mission at a time when every action, every pivot, and every conversation impacts results now and in the future.
You are not alone in feeling this crunch, and you’re not imagining how tough it is when that “best prospect” list runs dry. By focusing on real stewardship, creative outreach, and year-ahead strategy, you turn September from panic season into planting season.
Here’s to crossing the finish line together, with your sanity, humor, and relationships intact.
L’chaim,
jack
