Organising a Christmas campaign in six weeks

A six-week plan for a Christmas campaign in Belgium: municipal rules, raffles, emails and a tax certificate if your non-profit (ASBL/vzw) is approved.

In short A Christmas campaign takes six weeks to prepare: two to plan and check the rules, two to build the page and materials, two to communicate and say thank you, closing by 31 December at the latest. If your non-profit is approved, the tax certificate gives a 30% reduction from €40 a year per donor.

this article describes the rules in Belgium.

Six weeks are enough for a small or medium campaign, provided you know what to do each week. Here is a realistic timeline, with the checks that prevent nasty surprises: municipal permits, tax certificates and donor consent.

Before week 1: choose the format and the team

Gather five to ten people and choose a single format: market, concert, raffle, greeting cards or online campaign. Set a goal in euros and give every task an owner. To compare formats, read our Christmas campaign ideas for an association in Belgium.

One simple rule. One format, one date, one goal. An association that launches three at once exhausts its volunteers before the final week. If your team is small, an online campaign involves less logistics than an on-site event.

Weeks 1 and 2: plan and check the rules

These two weeks answer three questions: can your non-profit (known as an ASBL in French, a vzw in Dutch) issue tax certificates, do you need a permit from the municipality, and who handles the emails to donors? Better to ask early than to hit a roadblock in December.

  • Week 1: goal, budget, roles, closing date no later than 31 December.
  • Week 2: call the municipality about the raffle, the market or any collection on the public road.
  • Week 2: check whether your non-profit is among the organisations approved by the FPS Finance (SPF Finances).

Belgian tax certificate: what you can promise

For gifts made since 1 January 2025, the tax reduction is 30% of the amount on the certificate, from €40 a year per institution. Only approved organisations, or those named in the law, can issue the certificate.

The gift must be final, personal and without anything in return. So there is no certificate for a membership fee, a purchase at the market, a raffle prize or the proceeds of a collective collection. The donor's national register number has been required since 1 January 2024, and you may ask for it only to produce the certificate.

The timing is tight: the approval application must be filed by 31 December at the latest for the year concerned, with filing before 30 June recommended. A non-approved non-profit must therefore not announce any tax benefit. For the exact approval conditions, ask FPS Finance. Certificates are usually sent in March or April. Do not promise the annual cap in euros either: just say the benefit is limited and point to the official page.

Weeks 3 and 4: build the page and the materials

Create the donation page before you communicate, because every message must link to it. Also prepare the visuals, the thank-you text and the three or four messages you will send. Our guide to the charity Christmas market in Belgium covers the event side.

  • Week 3: donation page, suggested amounts, thank-you text, mention of the non-profit with its enterprise number.
  • Week 4: mailing list with consent, visuals, publication calendar.
  • Week 4: if you run a raffle, stay within the limits of the next section.

Raffles and collections: the limits to respect

A local raffle without prior permission is possible for an association recognised by the municipal council (the "collège communal"), at most four times a year. Each ticket costs €5 at most, with a maximum of 1,000 tickets and prizes in kind worth no more than €500.

At least 70% of the proceeds must go to the social or charitable cause. To exceed these limits, the municipality must agree. Selling tickets online falls under a different permit from the National Lottery, so avoid a raffle on your donation page. Door-to-door collection requires the council's permission, and the city of Namur, for example, asks for a non-profit that has existed for at least five years. For a Christmas market or a presence on the public road, there is no confirmed central rule: ask your municipality.

Weeks 5 and 6: communicate, then say thank you

Start communicating in week 5 and keep week 6 for the final reminder. Send a first email, one social media post a day and a personal message to your ten closest supporters. Write only to people who gave their consent, with an unsubscribe link in every message.

For fundraising emails, start from prior consent and not from a mere past relationship: the Data Protection Authority reminds us that the right to object to direct marketing is unconditional. Thank every donor within 48 hours: a short, sincere message counts for more than a long text.

How to do it with WeGlow.world

On WeGlow.world, your donation page is created in three steps: amount, details, summary. It accepts one-off and monthly gifts, each with its own amounts, and works on a phone. You can write a thank-you text that is sent after every gift.

Your supporters can also start their own action page for your campaign: useful when your team has five to ten people and each has a network. If your non-profit is approved, you then send tax certificates to eligible donors in one click. Sending is not automatic, and the Belgian rules remain those described above.

Four Christmas experiences are in preparation and remain concepts until the official launch. The Card Wall hangs envelopes on a string, each card being a stamp. The Glow Room turns every gift into a decoration on a Christmas tree in a 3D living room. Discover them all on the Christmas campaign page, then create your account: you can start for free with an account on WeGlow.world.

Frequently asked questions

Here are the five questions Belgian associations ask most often before launching their Christmas campaign.

Are six weeks really enough?

Yes, for a small or medium campaign with a single format. For a concert or a large market, allow more time, especially if you must ask the municipality for permits or for the use of a hall.

How do I know whether my non-profit can issue tax certificates?

It must be approved by the Minister of Finance or named in the law. Check the list published by FPS Finance and, if in doubt, ask FPS Finance directly before announcing a tax benefit.

From what amount does the certificate apply?

From €40 a year per institution, for the same donor. The rate is 30% for gifts made since 1 January 2025. Small repeated gifts add up over the calendar year.

When does the gift have to be paid?

A gift counts for the year in which it is paid. For a Christmas campaign, set the closing date at 31 December at the latest. This rule follows from the calendar-year principle, so confirm the point with FPS Finance.

Can I run a raffle on my donation page?

Not without agreement. The limits without permission apply to a local raffle, and online sales fall under a National Lottery permit. Ask your municipality or the National Lottery for advice before selling tickets.

Sources

Official sources, checked on 9 October 2026:

Articles