Summer Slump or Strategic Season? Making the Most of Mid-Year Fundraising

As the heat rises and inboxes slow down, it’s easy to feel like summer is the slow season for fundraising. Donor meetings get postponed. Grant deadlines seem sparse. Your colleagues are out of the office, and even your most responsive board members might be replying from the beach (if at all).

It’s tempting to call it the “summer slump”—and many nonprofits do.

But here’s the thing: summer doesn’t have to be a slump. It can be one of the most strategic seasons of the year—if you use it right.

Summer Is for Setups

The hustle and bustle of year-end giving is still a few months away, but now is the time to build the foundation for a successful Q4. While others are coasting, this is your opportunity to quietly set the stage for your strongest fundraising season yet.

Ask yourself:

• Is our messaging ready for the fall?

• Are our funders up to date on our impact?

• Do we know who our top stewardship priorities are?

• Is our grant pipeline aligned with our program calendar?

Use these slower months to sharpen your plan, not just survive them.

Focus on Relationships

Fewer campaign deadlines mean more time for real relationship-building. Schedule coffee (or iced coffee) meetings with long-time donors, prospective funders, or even lapsed supporters. Reconnect without an ask—just a story, a thank-you, and a check-in.

And remember: the best time to deepen relationships is before you need something.

Steward Like a Pro

Summer is a great time to show some love to your supporters.

• Send handwritten notes to monthly donors

• Share a summer “mission moment” email that doesn’t include a solicitation

• Invite a funder for a site visit or casual tour while things are quieter

This kind of stewardship is easy to skip when things get hectic. That’s why summer is your moment to do it right.

Tune Up Your Grants Strategy

You might not be submitting as many applications during the summer, but that doesn’t mean your grants program should go dormant. Use this time to:

• Update your boilerplate and data points

• Review feedback from past proposals

• Set meetings with current and potential funders

• Identify which Q4 or early 2026 deadlines you need to prep for now

And yes, double-check those reporting deadlines. No one wants to scramble for a program report in the middle of a Labor Day barbecue.

Don’t Neglect Internal Strategy

This is also a smart time to zoom out and work on your fundraising program—not just in it.

• Does your CRM still work for your team?

• Is your case for support still compelling?

• Are there stewardship gaps in your donor journey?

• Do your board and staff know how to talk about your impact?

Summer can be the perfect time for retreats, planning sessions, or even just taking a long lunch to talk shop with your team.

A Season of Opportunity

It’s okay if your summer doesn’t look like a highlight reel. Not every month will break records—and that’s okay. But if you treat these months as an intentional season of setup and strategy, you’ll find yourself ahead of the curve when the busy season hits.

Let others have their summer slump. You’ve got a strategy to build.

Need help making the most of your mid-year? Team Kat & Mouse is here to help. Drop us a line for a free consultation—and let’s turn this summer into a season of strength.