The fall giving season can feel like a sprint after a summer of planning - or, for some teams, a summer of catching up. But the most successful donation campaigns, loyalty pushes, and year-end appeals all have one thing in common: they don’t start in October.

They start now.

Whether you’re a nonprofit gearing up for Giving Tuesday or a mission-driven brand looking to tie purchases to purpose, there’s plenty you can do in late summer to set yourself up for a record-breaking fall.

1. Review last year’s results (before you’re in the thick of it)

Before locking in this year’s strategy, take time to evaluate what worked (and what didn’t) last year.

Ask yourself and your team:

• Which campaigns or rewards got the most traction?
• Did your opt-in rates or conversion rates dip at any point?
• What did donor or customer feedback tell you?

If you’re using Olive’s dashboard, this is the time to revisit your rounding totals, card engagement stats, and offer redemptions. Spot any drop-offs or wins you can build on.

💡 If you’re new to card-linked donations, check out our launch checklist for rounding programs.

2. Reassess your goals for this year

A strong fall campaign starts with clear goals. Think about what success looks like for your team:

• A 15% increase in recurring donations?
• 2,000 new users linked to a card?
• Higher average contribution per transaction?

Whether you're running a savings rewards program, investing in loyalty, or launching your first-ever rounding drive, align your internal stakeholders now before deadlines get in the way.

3. Test your infrastructure before it’s crunch time

Your tech stack shouldn’t surprise you during your biggest campaign of the year. If you’re using Olive, we recommend testing:

• The opt-in and card-linking flow (does it feel easy and intuitive?)
• Communications triggers (do you have fall-themed or campaign-specific emails and banners?)
• Reporting visibility (can your team see the right real-time data?)

Summer is a great time to test new messages or rewards on a small segment, then expand when the season ramps up.

☀️ Here’s why summer is the perfect time to get started on your fall donation drive.

4. Plan your story and tell it early

The holidays are noisy. Brands, causes, and campaigns all compete for attention. To stand out, you need a strong story that ties contributions or redemptions to real impact. Try:

• Sharing testimonials from last year’s donors or recipients
• Showing what a $1 roundup can do
• Highlighting how cardholders have made a difference all year

Then build that message into every channel: email, web, app, checkout, and in-person.

✅ Make sure your SEO - from your website to your socials - are working and are optimized to reduce donor friction. Read our guide on SEO for loyalty programs (applicable to roundup programs too!).

5. Launch soft, learn fast

The best fall campaigns are never truly “one and done.” If you can, plan a soft launch in late August or early September. Use it to collect early feedback and fine-tune your offer. For example:

• Run a back-to-school roundup drive
• Reward cardholders for summer spending
• Test an investment incentive for early birds

Then optimize for a bigger push in October or November.

Don’t wait until October

The season of giving may be months away, but your planning window is right now. With the right prep, your team can turn passive audiences into active supporters, and small contributions into outsized impact.

Need help getting your rounding or card rewards program fall-ready? Reach out to our team or book a quick demo to learn how Olive can help.