December 31 isn’t just New Year’s Eve for nonprofits in York and Lancaster Counties. It’s one of the most important fundraising days of the entire year—the final sprint that often determines whether organizations enter 2026 with momentum or find themselves trying to catch up.

Recent benchmarks tell a clear story. December 31 alone now accounts for about 5% of annual online fundraising revenue for the average nonprofit, and giving on that single day grew roughly 11% year over year. December has an even bigger impact: around 40% of annual online one-time revenue comes in this single month, and about 10% of all annual giving happens on December 29, 30, and 31 combined.

Put simply, the final stretch of the year matters—a lot. For many organizations, roughly a third of their annual giving arrives in the last three months.

And if you’re running a nonprofit in York or Lancaster County, you’re not the only one asking donors for support. Churches launching mission appeals, food banks preparing holiday campaigns, animal rescues pushing adoption and donation drives, and education foundations soliciting scholarship funds—everyone hits mailboxes and inboxes at the exact same time.

The organizations that rise above the noise share one thing in common: they understand that direct mail isn’t dead. It’s doubling.

Why Direct Mail Still Matters in 2025

While the past decade brought a massive shift toward digital fundraising, something else happened along the way. Email open rates declined. Social media reach dropped as algorithms tightened. Donor fatigue grew as inboxes overflowed with appeals.

Meanwhile, direct mail quietly held its ground—and is now accelerating again. A recent industry report shows organizations plan to nearly double their direct mail volume in 2025, with trends across financial services, retail, and mission-driven organizations all pointing in the same direction. In fact, financial services mail volume is projected to grow from 48.3 million pieces in 2024 to 69 million in 2025, and other sectors are showing similar increases.

Why the resurgence?

Because a piece of mail in someone’s hand creates a tangible moment of connection that a scrolling thumb simply can’t replicate.

Across York and Lancaster Counties, I’ve seen firsthand what happens when nonprofits treat direct mail as a last-minute task versus when they approach it strategically. The difference in donor response is measurable and often dramatic.

The Challenge Facing York and Lancaster Nonprofits

Here’s the truth many nonprofit leaders face at year-end: your office copier can handle day-to-day communication, but it is not built for the demands of a full-scale donor appeal.

You need 500 personalized letters printed on quality stock, folded and inserted into envelopes, paired with return envelopes, sorted by ZIP code for postage discounts, and delivered to the post office long before Thanksgiving.

Try pushing a project like that through in-house equipment and the issues appear immediately:

  • Paper jams with heavier, higher-quality stock

  • Inconsistent color output across hundreds of sheets

  • Hours of staff time lost managing printing and folding

  • Missed postal deadlines because the volume is overwhelming

None of this is the fault of your equipment. Office printers excel at what they’re designed for—daily operations. But year-end donor appeals require capabilities office machines simply don’t have: high-volume production, variable data printing for true personalization, advanced finishing, and full postal optimization.

When Outsourcing Makes Strategic Sense

Outsourcing major print projects isn’t a sign of inefficiency—it’s a strategic decision grounded in stewardship.

Consider the hidden costs of producing appeals in-house:

  • Staff time diverted from donor relationships

  • Material waste from misprints or test runs

  • Missed postage savings because you can’t qualify for bulk discounts

  • Delays that push your mail into the holiday crush

  • Quality issues that undermine donor confidence

A smudged letter or misaligned address sends an unspoken message: corners were cut. And when you’re asking donors for financial support, every detail matters.

Professional print and mail partners make that entire process seamless—because it’s what they specialize in.

What Professional Print and Mail Services Deliver

True Personalization That Moves Donors

→ Variable data printing allows you to go beyond a first name. You can personalize suggested giving amounts, reference past gifts, and include impact statements tailored to each donor.

Quality That Builds Trust

→ Professional equipment produces consistent color, crisp text, and clean finishing across the entire run.

Time Savings When Every Day Counts

→ What takes your team days or weeks can be completed in hours by a production team.

Cost Efficiency Through Volume

→ Bulk paper purchasing, optimized workflows, and smart sorting often offset the cost of outsourcing.

Postal Expertise

→ USPS rates increased again on July 13, 2025, making optimization more important than ever. Professional mail houses stay current, maximize discounts, and navigate shifting regulations for you.

How Local Nonprofits Can Maximize Year-End Appeals

Based on results I’ve seen across York and Lancaster, here’s what consistently boosts year-end performance:

Start Earlier Than You Think

The strongest campaigns begin in early November. Capture donors before inbox and mailbox fatigue peaks.

Segment Your Donor List

New donors, loyal donors, and lapsed donors all respond to different messages. Variable data printing makes segmentation practical.

Make Giving Easy

Include everything a donor needs:

  • Return envelope

  • QR code to online giving

  • Clear contact info

Convenience drives response rates.

Tell Impact Stories

Donors give to make change—not to help organizations “meet budget.” Lead with impact.

Follow Up Thoughtfully

Those final three days—December 29, 30, and 31—are powerful. A well-timed reminder (to non-responders only) can significantly lift results.

What to Look for in an Outsourced Print Partner

If you’re considering outsourcing, focus on:

  • Local expertise and proximity

  • Integrated design, print, and mail services

  • Transparent pricing

  • Reliable turnaround commitments

  • Strong quality control processes

A strong partner removes headaches and helps ensure your materials look professional from start to finish.

The Bottom Line for York & Lancaster Nonprofits

Your mission depends heavily on year-end giving. With so much revenue concentrated in these final weeks, your appeals must stand out and reflect the care your organization brings to its work.

Your office printer is perfect for day-to-day needs. But for high-volume, high-stakes fundraising campaigns, partnering with professionals provides the quality, speed, and efficiency your donors deserve.

The nonprofits raising the most money this year won’t be the ones who try to DIY their appeals—they’ll be the ones who made strategic decisions about where their time, energy, and resources make the greatest impact.

Ready to Make Your Year-End Appeal Stand Out?

There’s still time to execute a professional campaign that inspires donors and strengthens your mission.

I’d be glad to talk through your timeline, donor list size, and budget—and show you how outsourced printing and mail services can simplify your year-end campaign while elevating results.

⭐️ Let’s schedule a call today. Schedule a call with Judi