Charity advent calendar: 24 days of fundraising ideas

Build a charity advent calendar of 24 days, each with a story or a goal, and avoid the trouble that comes with daily prizes and raffles.

In short A charity advent calendar is 24 days with a story or a goal each, all published on a single donation page. Start on 1 December, prepare the 24 pieces of content in three weeks, and do not give daily prizes by draw without knowing the raffle rules of your Spanish region.

this article describes the rules in Spain.

What is a charity advent calendar?

It is a Christmas campaign that opens day by day, from 1 to 24 December. Each day shows something new: a person's story, a concrete goal or a thank you. The suspense comes from the format, not from a prize.

It works because it gives your donors a reason to come back every day and your team a clear rhythm. If you want more formats, see the ideas for a charity Christmas campaign.

Choose between stories, goals or a mix

There are three ways to fill the 24 days. You can tell a story each day, set a goal each day, or alternate both. Choose according to the time and people you have.

Stories: one person, project or corner of your organisation per day. They need photos and short texts.
Goals: a small goal each day, for example €40 for supplies or €150 for an activity. Adjust the figures to your real costs.
Mix: stories on weekdays and goals at weekends. This is the most balanced option.

How to spread the 24 days

Not every day carries the same weight. Keep the strong days for your best stories and fill the days with few donations with lighter content, such as a thank you or a photo of the team.

A simple structure: day 1 explains the whole challenge, days 2 to 20 follow the chosen rhythm, day 21 sums up what has been achieved, days 22 and 23 push the final stretch and day 24 closes with thanks. That way the campaign does not fizzle out halfway through the month.

Daily prizes and draws: beware of raffles

If on any day you give something away by draw among the people who donate, it is no longer only a donation: it is a raffle. In Spain, draws of this kind are regulated by each autonomous community (comunidad autónoma), and the rules differ a great deal from one region to another.

According to the information we reviewed, in the Community of Madrid an association notifies a rifa (raffle) before holding it, it lasts one month at most and the prizes are in kind, never in cash. In Catalonia authorisation is needed if the prizes exceed €3,000. For any other region, ask the regional department or gambling authority. The safest course is to drop the daily prize and first read the rules for charity raffles and tombolas.

Remember too that a ticket or product bought is not a donation, because something is given in return.

Organise it in three weeks

With a team of 3 to 5 people, three weeks are enough to prepare the 24 days. If you lack a method, the plan for organising a charity Christmas campaign will guide you.

Week 1: decide the format, the overall goal and who writes each day.
Week 2: gather photos, texts and permissions from the people who appear.
Week 3: schedule the posts, proofread the texts and test the page on a phone.

How to do it with WeGlow.world

On WeGlow.world you build a donation page in three steps: amount, personal details and summary. It accepts single and monthly donations, each with its own amounts, and works well on a phone. One page can accompany all 24 days.

The Christmas experiences are still a concept, until the official launch. In the article about the digital experience we explain them in detail. The Starry Sky suits a calendar: every donation becomes a star and you fly from star to star, so by day 24 the sky is full. If you prefer a different one, there are the Glow Room, the Gift Yard and the Card Wall.

Your supporters can open their own action page to collect donations among their circle, and you can prepare thank you texts for those who give. You can start for free with an account on WeGlow.world.

How to communicate it each day

A daily email for 24 days wears people out. Send one to open the calendar, one midway and one to close, and use social media and messaging for the rest. Every message leads to the same donation page.

The Spanish information society services law (LSSI, art. 21) forbids sending advertising by email unless the person has asked for it or agreed to it. Whether an earlier donation is enough for the exception is not confirmed: the safe course is to ask for clear consent and offer a simple unsubscribe in every message. As an example, see our article on Christmas emails to donors.

Donations, tax relief and certificate

Anyone who gives to an entity covered by Ley 49/2002 can claim a deduction in personal income tax (IRPF): 80% on the first €250 and 40% on the rest. The rate above €250 only rises to 45% for the loyal donor: someone who gave to the same entity in the two previous years, with an amount equal to or higher than the year before. The Basque Country and Navarre have a different regime.

The deduction does not apply to every association: only to the entities in article 16, such as foundations or associations declared of public utility. The donor needs their NIF (Spanish tax number) to receive the certificate, and the entity reports to the tax authority with modelo 182. A small symbolic return is possible if it does not exceed 15% of the donation. For the modelo 182 deadline and regional deductions, check with the Agencia Tributaria or your adviser.

How to measure what works

After 24 December, look at three things: which days raised the most, which channel brought the most people and how many donors chose monthly giving. That tells you what to repeat next year.

Also note which stories drew the most replies, and thank everyone before 6 January, when many families celebrate the Three Kings (Reyes Magos). A thank you sent in time keeps the relationship warm for the rest of the year.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to start on 1 December?

It is not compulsory, but it is the most recognisable date. If you start later, you can run a 12-day calendar or count down from 24. What matters is that you say clearly how many days it lasts.

Can I give something to whoever donates each day?

A symbolic gift without a draw does not raise the raffle problem, but it is not a donation if its value is significant. If the gift goes by draw, you need to follow the rules of your autonomous community.

How many people do I need on the team?

With 3 to 5 people you can prepare and sustain a 24-day calendar. Assign the days by owner and keep one or two reviewers for the texts.

What if no donations arrive on a given day?

That is normal. Prepare light content for those days and remember that the calendar tells one complete story. The days of greatest impact make up for the weaker ones.

Is it suitable for a small charity?

Yes. A calendar built on your own stories and photos needs no budget, only persistence. Start with a realistic goal and a simple donation page.

Sources

Official sources, checked on 9 October 2026:

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