Six Ways to Wrap Up Your Record-Breaking Avenues for Hope Campaign
You did it. We did it. And Idahoans without a safe and stable place to live are better off because of our collective action.
Together, we raised record-breaking funding from a record-breaking number of people: over $6.1 million from 7,100+ donors for 106 organizations addressing housing insecurity statewide.
This campaign is proof that abundance is real. When 106 organizations come together in friendly competition, really competing against their own previous bests, something magical happens. The spotlight on housing insecurity grows brighter, the donor pool expands, and everyone benefits. In fact, one recent data source shows homelessness in Idaho is actually decreasing, evidence that our collective efforts are making a real difference. Avenues for Hope isn't about competing for resources; it's about multiplying our collective impact to address housing insecurity locally and statewide.
So what now? With the donation deadline passed, this is your chance to wrap things up in a way that sets you up for an even stronger campaign next year. Think of it as tending to the relationships you've built, not just closing the books.
Here are six ways to finish strong:
1. Capture Your Impact Story
While everything's still fresh in your mind, document the full story of your campaign. Sure, track the amount raised and number of donors, but dig deeper. What was your prize money total? How many peer-to-peer fundraisers did you have? Which social media post got people talking? What were your email open rates? What's your median donation amount? Did you get any earned media coverage? How did the mailer perform? What did the campaign actually cost you?
If you've got data from previous years, put it side by side to show your growth. Then share all of this with your Avenues for Hope team, your board, your leadership. These aren't just numbers. They're proof of impact and help tell the story of what works well and what is possible.
2. Document Your Reflections (and Dreams)
Write down what worked and what didn't while you still remember. Because let's face it, life as a nonprofit leader moves way too fast to remember everything six months from now.
Create a shared Google Doc where everyone can brain dump their thoughts, or better yet, get together over coffee and hash it out in person. Be specific about both the wins and the challenges.
But here's the thing: don't just focus on what happened. Capture those "next time we should try..." ideas too. You know, the brilliant ideas you had mid-campaign but didn't have bandwidth to execute? The cool thing another organization did that made you think "wait, should we do that"? Get it all down on paper. This document will be gold when you start planning next fall. (And yes, I'm hoping you'll start planning in September or October!)
3. Update Your Database (Carefully)
Make sure every single gift from this campaign gets properly recorded in your donor tracking system. Add tags like "AFH 2025" or create a campaign group, whatever your system can handle. Just be super careful not to accidentally create duplicates or double-count those offline gifts. And don't forget to properly record matching gifts and prize money!
I know database cleanup isn't glamorous, but clean data today means better relationships and more successful fundraising tomorrow. Trust me on this one.
Gratitude communication example from Corpus Commons
4. Thank Thoughtfully and Strategically
That automatic donation receipt? Not enough. Not even close. Gratitude should show donors what they made possible, not just confirm a transaction.
Instead of “Thank you for your gift of $250 on December 15,” try “Because of you and our generous community, 10 local families won’t face eviction this winter.” Put the people you serve at the center of your thanks.
Build an impact-focused gratitude plan you can actually execute:
All donors: A personal email that leads with impact—share a brief client quote or story, campaign results, and a sincere thank you.
$250+ donors: A handwritten card explaining exactly what their gift makes possible (e.g., “Your gift provided a family with a full month of emergency rental assistance.”)
$1,000+ donors: A phone call from your ED or a board member sharing a recent success made possible by the campaign.
Want to make it meaningful and fun? Host a team “thank-a-thon,” where everyone shares a favorite client moment before making calls or writing notes.
And don’t forget your campaign partners, volunteers, and team members. Tell them how their specific contributions changed lives.
Good gratitude connects hearts to impact. When you lead with lives changed, not dollars raised, you’re not just saying thank you. You’re showing supporters they’re part of something transformational. That’s what keeps people engaged and excited about your mission.
5. Deepen Key Relationships
All gifts matter, but let's be real: some gifts signal the start of something bigger. Look through your AFH donor list. Who would you like to know better? Who surprised you? Who might become a champion for your cause?
Reach out. Invite them for coffee or lunch. Take a walk together. Offer to show them around your facilities. But here's the key: you're not asking for anything. You're just getting to know them. Listen to their story. Learn what inspired their gift. Understand what they care about. Some people will love this kind of connection, others will prefer to keep their distance. That's okay. The invitation itself shows you value them as more than just a transaction.
We like celebrating with wine, coffee, and good food!
6. Celebrate Your Hard Work
You did it. Three intense weeks of campaigning through the holiday season. If you're feeling exhausted right now, that makes total sense. You rallied your board, engaged your donors, told your story a hundred different ways, and still showed up for your regular job and your life. You gave this campaign everything you had. And you know what? Your work MATTERS.
So celebrate! Get your team together and toast your success. Buy yourself that overpriced latte or delicious pastry. Tell your family about what you accomplished. Or do all three. This work is HARD, and pretending it isn't doesn't serve anyone. When you take time to acknowledge what you've achieved, it gives you energy for what's ahead.
Gratitude and Looking Forward Together
For years, People First has supported individual nonprofits with their Avenues for Hope campaigns. This year, a truly special partnership was formed when Idaho Housing Foundation invited us to support the entire campaign. All 104 organizations. Through our trainings and coaching sessions, we shared lessons learned and best practices. We watched you put these strategies into action, shifting from limiting beliefs to growth mindsets, becoming stronger storytellers and connectors for your organizations and the people you serve. While not every organization hit their individual goal, many of you exceeded expectations, and together we surpassed our collective goal of $6 million. Honestly, it's been one of the highlights of our year.
My first AFH as CATCH’s Director of Development!
For me personally, this has been quite the journey. My first Avenues for Hope was back in 2021 when I was CATCH's Director of Development. I remember feeling nervous and overwhelmed, but also recognizing that this platform could become something special. Not just another fundraiser, but a movement that could actually change how Idaho as a state addresses housing insecurity. Seeing 106 organizations now raising their voices and funds together, watching this vision become real? It's been incredibly fulfilling.
People First is in this for the long haul. We believe there's so much untapped potential in Avenues for Hope and in every single nonprofit working to address housing insecurity in Idaho. We want to keep learning and growing with you.
So tell us: What was a game changer for your Avenues for Hope campaign this year?
Stay connected with People First:
Email us anytime: humans@peoplefirstcom.com
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Here's to the relationships built, the impact made, and the even greater possibilities ahead.
