Organising a Christmas fundraiser: a six-week plan

Organise a Christmas fundraiser in six weeks: a weekly plan to 24 December with tasks, roles and deadlines, plus thank-yous and the Belgian tax certificate.

In short You can organise a Christmas fundraiser in 6 weeks if you start on 12 November and finish one block per week: goal, team, donation page, announcement, reminder and final week. That way you are ready on 24 December and can then say thank you and, if you are recognised, send tax certificates. It gives tasks, roles and deadlines.

This article describes the rules in Belgium.

Organising a Christmas fundraiser is mostly a matter of order. Build a page in the last week and you miss the moment when people want to give. This plan runs from 12 November to 24 December 2026 and suits a vzw (a Belgian non-profit association), a school, a neighbourhood group or a work team. You set up the campaign with WeGlow.world, but the plan also works without it.

Six weeks before Christmas: choose the goal and date

On 12 November, start with one goal, one end date and one amount or result you want to reach. Write it down in one sentence and have your board or coordinator approve it.

Also choose the format. Do you want an online Christmas campaign, a market, a concert or a combination? If you have no idea yet, first look at the Christmas fundraising ideas. Then fix your end date, for example 24 December or the last day of school.

Five weeks: team and roles

A Christmas campaign needs at least three roles: a lead who decides, someone who makes texts and photos, and someone who keeps track of money and administration. In a small team one person can carry two roles, but never all three.

This week, check whether your organisation may issue tax certificates. That determines what your donors can expect later, and so what you promise on your page. More on certificates at the end.

Four weeks: build the donation page and choose payment methods

A good donation page is finished and tested in week three: a short text, one strong photo, a clear goal and amounts people can picture. In WeGlow.world you can set up one-off and monthly gifts, with your own label per amount, and the page works on a phone.

Make a test gift yourself before you share the page. Check what the donor sees after paying and whether the thank-you email is right. WeGlow.world sends a thank-you email automatically if you have filled in a thank-you text, so fill one in. How to build the page is in the article on the donation page for your Christmas fundraiser.

The four Christmas experiences of WeGlow.world (Glow Room, Starry Sky, Gift Yard and Card Wall) remain a concept until the official launch. You can view them on the Christmas page of WeGlow.world, but do not plan around something not yet available.

Three weeks: announce the campaign

Announce the campaign in week four, starting with the people you already know: board, volunteers, loyal donors and parents. One personal message works better than a general appeal.

Email is the main channel here. Examples are in the article on the Christmas email to donors. Does your announcement coincide with Giving Tuesday on 1 December? Then first read the Giving Tuesday hub and the article on combining both campaigns. It explains how not to ask for the same thing twice.

Two weeks: remind and tell the story

In week five you make no new announcement but keep telling the story: what the gift does in practice, who is helping and how far you have come. Share a progress update only if it is accurate.

Also let supporters help. A parent, a volunteer or a colleague can start their own campaign page for your cause and so reach their own circle. Give them a ready-made text.

The last week and 24 December

In the last week you send one clear final appeal and say when the campaign ends. On 24 December itself, plan nothing new except a short thank-you message and a final total, if it is accurate.

The plan in one table

The layout above deliberately runs from 12 November to 24 December. Giving Tuesday falls on 1 December, in the middle of your third week. The article on combining Giving Tuesday and Christmas has a joint timeline.

After the campaign: thank-yous and the tax certificate

Thank everyone quickly, preferably within a few days of the end, and send a tax certificate (fiscaal attest) only if your organisation is recognised in Belgium. A donor gets a tax reduction only with a certificate from a recognised institution. Without recognition you can receive gifts, but not issue a certificate.

Saying thanks takes three steps: an automatic thank-you email, a personal message to major donors and a closing message to everyone with what the campaign raised. Mention only provable figures.

According to the gifts page of the FOD Financiën, the Belgian federal tax authority (checked on 9 October 2026), the following applies to the certificate:

• The tax reduction is 30 percent for gifts since 1 January 2025.
• The minimum is 40 euros per year and per institution.
• The recognised institution provides the certificate. Most institutions send them in March or April.
• The donor must keep the certificate for a check but does not need to attach it to the tax return.

In WeGlow.world you send certificates with one click to all eligible donors. It does not happen automatically, you start it. This is general information, not tax advice. If you are unsure about your recognition, ask the FOD Financiën.

Frequently asked questions

When should I start a Christmas fundraiser?

Six weeks before Christmas is a good starting point, so around 12 November for an end date of 24 December. With less time, drop the format and the extras and keep the core: one goal, one donation page and an announcement. WeGlow.world helps you set up the page quickly, but you decide the goal yourself.

How many people do I need for a Christmas fundraiser?

Two to four people are enough for an online campaign if the roles are clear: a lead, a copywriter and someone for administration. For a market or concert you need more volunteers. With WeGlow.world, supporters can also start their own campaign page, so your reach grows without your team growing.

What if I am late with my Christmas fundraiser?

Then choose a short campaign with one message instead of a full programme. Build the donation page first, ask the people you already know first and send one clear final appeal. A late start is no reason to stop, but it is a reason to keep it small and concrete.

How do I thank donors quickly?

Fill in a thank-you text before you start, so WeGlow.world can send a thank-you email automatically after every gift. After the campaign, send a closing message about what the gifts made possible. Call or write personally to your biggest donors.

When do donors get their tax certificate?

According to the FOD Financiën, most institutions send certificates in March or April. Only recognised institutions may issue them. With WeGlow.world you send them with one click to all eligible donors, as soon as you choose to.

Start your plan today

Create a free account on WeGlow.world and set up your donation page in week three of this plan. You can start for free, but you do need an account. Create an account or request a demo.

Tax rules checked on 9 October 2026 on the gifts page of the FOD Financiën.