The Pre-Rosh Hashanah checklist for synagogue campaign growth

As you prepare for the High Holy Days, we know your primary focus is rightly on creating sacred, uplifting, inspiring, and spiritual experiences. 

At the same time, the High Holy Days bring the highest concentration of your synagogue community into the sanctuary all year. In the pews are your future committee chairs, board members, and the major donors who will support the synagogue’s vision and plans for decades to come. 

To help your congregation maximize this unique moment, please review and share this short checklist focused on transforming small donors into major fundraising prospects: 

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Pre-High Holy Day Fundraising Checklist:

Building Momentum with Long-Term Prospects

Audit "First-Time" & "Spike" Donors from Last Year's Appeal

Review last year’s High Holy Day giving data for households that gave above their usual annual dues, made their first-ever appeal contribution, or steadily increased their gift over the past 2–3 years. Flag these households as prospective major donors for individualized and personal contact, cultivation, and stewardship.

Cross-Reference High-Capacity Family & Guest Registrations

Examine guest ticket requests and seating allocations for adult children returning home, out-of-town extended family, or prominent local community members attending as guests. These individuals often hold deep emotional ties to your synagogue and strong financial capacity but are frequently overlooked because they aren't “typical” members.

WE CAN HELP! The Lapin Group provides specialized prospect research and wealth screening to help synagogues identify hidden donor capacity and uncover high-potential givers within your database and guest lists.

Brief Ushers & Greeters on Walk-In Warmth

Train your greeters and ushers on a clear protocol for handling last-minute walk-ins, unregistered guests, or visitors brought by current members. Instead of treating walk-ins solely as a security hurdle or ticket check, equip ushers with a simple, discreet system to collect contact information with warmth. Many prospective donors first experience a synagogue as a guest of a friend or relative.

Assign Personal Clergy & Board Touchpoints to Up-and-Coming Donors

Identify a list of promising mid-level donors (e.g., consistent $500–$1,500 givers) and assign the Rabbi, Board President, or Development Chair to make a 2-minute "Shanah Tovah / Thank You" call or send a handwritten note, both personalized, in the week before Rosh Hashanah. Reaching out with zero financial ask right before the holidays builds the personal trust required for a future major campaign.

Upgrade Your Appeal Pledge Materials to Capture Donor Intent & Interests

Ensure your physical pledge cards, digital QR codes, and online giving forms include simple option boxes or fields beyond a basic dollar amount (e.g., checking interest in endowment giving, capital improvements, youth programming, or legacy planning). This turns a routine holiday contribution into immediate intelligence on who might be interested in funding larger, multi-year initiatives.

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