Organising a charity Christmas campaign in 6 weeks

Week-by-week calendar to organise a charity Christmas campaign: team, donation page, permits, launch and thank-yous in six weeks.

In short A charity Christmas campaign works well in six weeks: two to decide team and format, two to prepare the donation page and permits, one to launch and one to keep pushing and say thank you. With 5 to 10 people and a clear calendar, you reach 22 December calmly.

this article describes the rules in Spain.

Why six weeks are enough

Six weeks leave room to prepare without the campaign losing energy. If you start on Monday 9 November, week 6 ends on 20 December, just before the lottery draw on the 22nd and the holidays. This calendar suits small associations and foundations with no advertising budget.

Before you start, you may still be missing the concrete idea. You will find a selection in our article on ideas for a charity Christmas campaign. Here we assume you already know roughly what you want to do and focus on the when.

Week 1: decide goal, team and format

Start with three decisions written on a single sheet: how much you want to raise, for which specific project and who is in charge of what. A goal with a clear use, such as "300 hot meals", persuades more than a total with no explanation.

Put together a team of 5 to 10 people, with one person responsible for each block: web, communication, logistics and thank-yous.
Choose one main format (online campaign, Christmas market, dinner, concert) and a secondary one.
Set the closing date and two milestones along the way.

Week 2: gather the people who already know you

Make a list of people who have already donated, volunteered or taken part in earlier events. They are your first circle and the ones who will respond soonest. Also think of local businesses, shops and local media that could lend a hand.

Be careful with e-mail. The LSSI (Spain's information society services law) prohibits sending advertising by e-mail to people who have not requested or expressly authorised it, with a limited exception. A previous donation is not confirmed as a sufficient exception, so the safest course is to ask for clear consent. Read the text in the BOE (Spain's official gazette), and if in doubt, ask the Agencia Española de Protección de Datos (AEPD).

Week 3: prepare the donation page and the message

Now it is time to build the place where people will give. With WeGlow.world you create a donation page in three steps (amount, personal details and summary), with one-off and monthly gifts, each with its own amounts, and it works on a phone. You can add a label to each amount, such as "a hot meal", so people understand what each gift achieves.

Also write the thank-you text each person will receive. On WeGlow.world the thank-you e-mail is sent automatically once you have written that text, so have it ready now. For inspiration, see the rest of the Christmas fundraising guide.

Week 4: permits, paperwork and materials

This is the week for formalities, and it pays to handle them in time because in Spain they depend on each autonomous community and each town council. Do not assume any national rule and always confirm with the relevant administration.

Raffle or tombola: each autonomous community regulates it. In the Comunidad de Madrid you file a prior notification, with prizes in kind and never in cash. In Catalonia you need authorisation if prizes exceed 3,000 euros, requested one month before selling tickets. In other communities, ask the relevant regional department.
Market or street table: ask the town council about the use of the public highway.
Materials: poster, social media texts and photos of the project.

If your campaign includes a market, you will find the details in how to organise a charity Christmas market.

Week 5: launch the campaign

Launch on Monday or Tuesday, with everything ready. First write to your close circle on that first day, then open the campaign to social media and local media. A trusted person who takes the first step encourages the others to follow.

Day 1: personal message to your first circle, with the link to the donation page.
Days 2 and 3: social media post and a heads-up to shops and media.
Day 5: first update with the amount raised and a photo.
Weekend: an in-person event or a reminder, if it fits.

Week 6: final push and thank-yous

The home stretch is the time to keep pushing, so do not go quiet. Post progress toward the goal, remind people of the deadline and ask those who have already given to share it. In the last 3 days, a short, concrete message works better than a long one.

When it ends, thank people personally and tell them what was achieved. That conversation opens the door for people to come back and, if they wish, become members with a regular contribution.

How to do it with WeGlow.world

With WeGlow.world the whole calendar fits in one place: the donation page from week 3, supporter actions and thank-yous. Anyone who backs you can open their own action page to ask their circle to give, and so you multiply your reach without extra work.

We are also preparing four Christmas experiences, which remain a concept until the official launch. For example, the Glow Room is a 3D living room with a Christmas tree where every donation becomes a decoration. If you prefer another, look at the Starry Sky, the Gift Yard or the Card Wall. You can start for free with an account on WeGlow.world, or write to us if you have questions.

Taxes and certificates: what to know

The donation deduction under Law 49/2002 does not apply to just any entity. It applies to foundations, associations declared of public utility and other entities under article 16. An association without that declaration is outside it, so check your status before promising anything.

Individuals: 80% up to 250 euros and 40% on the rest (45% if recurring).
Cap: 10% of the taxable base.
The entity issues a certificate and needs the donor's NIF (tax number).
A raffle or a purchase is not a donation.

These rules do not cover the Basque Country or Navarre, which have a foral regime. WeGlow.world does not issue tax certificates for Spain, so you will have to handle them yourself. The deadline for modelo 182 (the annual donations return) is not confirmed: check with the Agencia Tributaria, the Spanish tax agency.

Frequently asked questions

These are the doubts that come up most often when preparing a Christmas campaign.

When should I start to be ready for Christmas?

Six weeks before the closing date. If you close on 20 December, start on 9 November. It is possible with less time, but the paperwork for raffles and markets can hold you back.

Do I need a permit for a charity raffle?

It depends on your autonomous community. In Madrid a prior notification is enough, and in Catalonia authorisation is required above 3,000 euros in prizes. Always check with your community's administration before selling tickets.

Can I write to my donors from previous years?

The safest course is to do so only with their express consent, because the LSSI requires prior authorisation. Always include a simple, free way to unsubscribe in every message.

Are all donations deductible?

No. Only those made to entities under article 16 of Law 49/2002, with a certificate and the donor's NIF. A raffle ticket or buying a product is not deductible.

What do I do if I do not reach the goal?

Report the results honestly, thank every contribution and explain what will be done with what was raised. That transparency helps you win more support in the next campaign.

Sources

All the official sources below were checked on 9 October 2026.