Every year at this time fundraisers from coast to coast feel the pressure of hitting year-end targets. Whether it’s trying to close a major gift, or coordinating a multichannel annual campaign, or hosting a seasonal celebration there is a significant increase in the volume of activity and the stress that we all take on.

Couple that with family commitments, school breaks for the kids, cold and flu season, a mail strike and **waves generally at the global situation** and we have a recipe for burn out, disappointment and a shift away from any semblance of balance we were managing to find. This is my 12th holiday season as a fundraiser and in spite of it coming around every year, it always seems to creep up on me, and I tend to forget all the hard-fought lessons I thought I had learned.

So, as we barrel toward another Giving Tuesday and end of year fundraising push I want to remind you (and myself) how to make it through while remaining (holly) jolly.

Tip #1: You cannot do it all

Fundraisers are scrappy and the royalty of the pivoting class but there are only so many hours in the day and some of those should be used for sleep. Back when I worked on the agency side, I had a wise boss who, upon seeing the stress all over my face, sat me down and made me make a list. This simple gesture made it more manageable because I could actually see the work that was pending and could talk through what really needed to happen and what could wait and/or be dropped. Make the list, talk it through with a colleague or mentor, and then be clear with those around you if there is something that isn’t going to happen.

Tip #2: Nap

Yes, you read that right, Nap. As a human with an invisible disability I spent years pushing, thinking that if I just got the work done then I could rest. Now, having the luxury of having gotten it wrong so many times, I can tell you that this strategy will never do as much good as just pausing when your body tells you to. Take a 30 min nap and reset. A fresh brain is a more productive brain. Not a napper? A shower, a workout or even a meal can do similar things to help reset and refresh. You are no good to anyone if you run yourself into the ground. We need you out there.

Tip #3: Document everything!

I can hear you thinking, “…but Laura I don’t need another thing on my plate. I thought this was about balance!” Documenting how you feel, what was the most stressful/onerous tasks and what had to drop from this year will be invaluable when you begin to plan next year.
Fundraisers are wired to just move on to the next thing, but when planning for 2026 comes around and you pull out that document—you will be grateful you did. You have a planning partner now; past you. And you are the best fundraiser you know!

Tip #4: Connect with other fundraisers

Shared experience and being able to vent with someone who “gets it” can be so validating. The intent isn’t to solve “the problem”. Just having someone to bear witness to what you are going through can be invaluable. Talking it out can lead to a different type of processing of the issues and may help you resolve things you thought would not otherwise be resolved. It also becomes a chance for some gentle Aristotelian interrogation helping to lead you where you wanted to go. Don’t have a fundraising pal like this? Reach out, I’m that pal now.

Tip #5: Breathe

This time of year is so difficult. It’s dark, it’s cold, the pressure is high at work and many have a lot going on personally. It’s easy to forget that we are all facing these same things and get overwhelmed. You are not alone. As a big fan of classic Canadian television, I’ll leave you with this—"Keep your stick on the ice and remember I’m pulling for ya, we’re all in this together.”

Laura Champion is the Senior Director, Fund Development at Lumenus Foundation. She is the Founder of the AFP Speaker Discovery Series, was Chair of AFP GTA Congress in 2020, and has spoken all over the globe. She has a deep love for fundraising, learning and her one-eyed wiener dog, Mortadella. Laurachampio@gmail.com