End of year Charity Checklist

Getting organised before the end of the year can feel daunting - personally and professionally!

However, there are some actions you can take now to ensure you feel prepared for 2025.

This Charity Checklist is for marketing and communications professionals, to help you head into the New Year feeling fresh.

Analyse your data

• Review your analytics for 2024. When you have a whole year of metrics, it can paint a picture of your marketing and communications performance. Consider what went well and where you can improve.

• Compare 2023 and 2024 data. Having a year-on-year comparison can help you refine your activities further.

• Set Key Performance Indicators for 2025. What do you want to achieve in the year ahead? Use your metrics to establish challenging but realistic goals.

Plan for 2025

• Map out key dates for 2025. This could be as simple as making a note of all your e-newsletter send dates. Or you could add additional information, like key campaigns or awareness days.

• Review your budget. Do you have funding you need to spend before the next financial year? Consider how you'll spread this over the coming three months.

• Revisit your strategy. All of your goals in 2025 should align with your Communications Strategy, so refresh your memory.

Communicate

• Let your stakeholders know your opening hours over the festive period. Share in a blog so it lives on your website and also share on your social media channels.

• Say thank you to your donors. Sending a thank you letter or bespoke email shows your appreciation and encourages people to support you in the year ahead.

• Celebrate your team. Great communication is only possible with the support of your team, so thank them and let them know how their contribution has made a difference in the past 12 months.

Schedule your posts

• Signpost to other organisations. If your staff are having a well-deserved break over the festive period, schedule some posts that signpost people to support in your absence.

• Pin important information. On most social media channels, you can 'pin' information to the top of your feed. Do this for any important holiday messaging, like your opening hours or out-of-hours support.

• Schedule the first week back. Create and schedule some posts for the first week in January 2025. It will take the pressure off when you return to work.

If you need any support 'wrapping up' 2024, please get in touch. We're here to help!

Until then, from Tiptoe and Laura, we wish you a very Happy New Year.