How to Build a 2026 Fundraising Calendar for Jewish Nonprofits

The champagne has been poured, the last donor thank-you has been sent, and you can finally exhale after a whirlwind year-end campaign. Now what? 

For many Jewish nonprofits, January is a strange in-between moment. The urgency of December has faded, but the next major push — a gala, an annual campaign, a community event — feels far away. 

That’s exactly why January is the perfect time to plan. 

A well-designed fundraising calendar doesn’t just organize your year — it brings rhythm, purpose, and predictability to your work. It helps your team stay aligned, your board stay engaged, and your donors stay connected. 

Here’s how to create one that works. 

Start with Mission, Not Months 

Before you plug dates into a spreadsheet, step back and ask: 

“What do we want our donors — and our community — to feel this year?” 

Maybe it’s belonging. Maybe it’s pride in impact. Maybe it’s shared hope for Israel or Jewish continuity. Your fundraising calendar should serve those emotional and strategic goals, not just mark when to send emails. 

This values-first approach ensures that every campaign, from Passover to Giving Tuesday, ties back to a cohesive story. 

Build Around Your Natural Rhythm 

Jewish organizations have a unique advantage: a built-in rhythm of meaning and connection through the Jewish calendar. 

Think about weaving fundraising and engagement opportunities around: 

• Holidays: Use Purim, Passover, and Rosh Hashanah for storytelling about joy, freedom, and renewal. 

• School or program cycles: Celebrate milestones — first day, graduation, camp season — as moments for gratitude and community pride. 

• National and global moments: Respond thoughtfully to Israel-related events or social issues that touch your mission. 

When your calendar reflects both Jewish time and organizational life, donors feel a deeper sense of relevance and alignment. 

Map Out Your Donor Journey 

Each donor touchpoint should build on the last. Instead of scattered campaigns, think in seasons of connection: 

Season	Focus	Example Activities
Winter	Gratitude & Reflection	Thank-you notes, donor impact stories
Spring	Renewal & Learning	Educational events, youth program updates
Summer	Community & Belonging	Informal gatherings, volunteer spotlights
Fall	Vision & Investment	Annual appeal, campaign kickoff, High Holiday message

This rhythm creates continuity — your donors know they’re part of an unfolding story, not just a year of disconnected asks. 

Leave Space for Flexibility 

Even the best calendar will need to adapt — and that’s okay. 

Plan your year with about 80% structure and 20% flexibility. Leave room for: 

• Responding to breaking news or community needs 

• Sharing spontaneous success stories 

• Testing new engagement formats (like video updates or donor coffees) 

The key is to be structured enough to stay consistent, but flexible enough to stay human. 

Make It a Living Tool 

Your fundraising calendar should be more than a document buried in a Google Drive folder. Revisit it monthly with your team: 

• Are we on track? 

• What’s resonating with donors? 

• What adjustments do we need to make? 

Regular reflection keeps your plan actionable — and keeps everyone accountable. 

In the End: Plan with Purpose 

A strong fundraising calendar isn’t about working harder — it’s about working smarter and with intention. It’s about ensuring that your donors experience your mission not as a series of isolated appeals, but as a yearlong journey of connection, generosity, and Jewish meaning. 

If you’re feeling lost or overwhelmed, that’s ok! At The Lapin Group, we help Jewish nonprofits turn good intentions into effective strategy. From annual fundraising calendars and communication plans to board engagement and capital or endowment fundraising campaigns, our team partners with you to bring clarity and consistency to your fundraising year. 

If your organization is ready to start 2026 with a plan — not just a wish list — we can help you build the structure and strategy for lasting success.