5 Best Times to Launch a Successful Fundraising Campaign

Best Time:

• Right before your season announcement or the release of your show dates.
• At the beginning of the school year, parents and community members feel most invested in upcoming activities.

Why it works:
People are excited about the new season and are already considering supporting the program. Tying the fundraiser to something positive (like a season preview night, a rehearsal sneak peek, or a school event) gives the campaign a celebratory, forward-looking feel.

Examples:

• Announce your fundraising campaign during your season launch party or a backstage preview event. As people are already gathering to celebrate the season ahead, it’s a natural time to ask for support.

Pair the launch with the first show rehearsal or cast announcement, where the excitement is building. It’s a great way to rally the students and their families right at the start.

Best Time:

• Early fall (September/October): Everyone’s back from summer, school activities are ramping up, and people are more likely to donate with fresh energy.
• January or February: After the holidays when people are settling back into routines and schools often kick off the second half of their performance season.
• End of the school year (May/June): As performances are coming to a close, parents and community members are looking to support programs in advance of the next year.

Why it works:
Timing your launch during these windows maximizes engagement when families and community members are focused on school events. Early fall is great for setting up a full year of support, while a January launch can take advantage of renewed energy after the holidays. Meanwhile, spring campaigns help secure end-of-year donations and start prepping for the next season.

Example:

• A September launch could align with back-to-school excitement, allowing parents and community members to get involved early in the program.

A January launch can coincide with New Year’s resolutions to support local causes, making it a natural time for donors to get involved.

Best Time:

• Two to three weeks before opening night of a major performance. This is when anticipation for the show is building, and the community is already excited about the production.

Why it works:
Launching your fundraising campaign around a big performance creates a natural momentum. People are already invested in attending the show, and you can use that excitement to ask for donations. You’ll also have a captive audience at each performance, making it easy to promote your campaign during intermissions or at the box office.

Example:

• Start your campaign a couple of weeks before your first performance of the year. Build the hype on social media and at school events leading up to the show. Then, on opening night, remind the audience that the fundraiser is live and give them an opportunity to contribute.

Best Time:

• Late November through December (holiday season and year-end giving).

Why it works:
Many people are feeling generous around the holidays and are looking for causes to support before the year ends. It’s also a time when donors can take advantage of tax deductions, which often leads to a spike in charitable giving.

Example:

Launch a campaign during November or December, focusing on the idea of supporting the arts as a holiday gift to the community. Frame it as a way to give back during the season of giving, and emphasize that donations will help students throughout the upcoming year.

Avoid These Times:

• Late spring (April/May) when school activities are at their peak with proms, graduations, and other fundraisers competing for attention.
• Holiday weekends or mid-summer, when people are focused on vacations or out of town.

Why it matters:
Timing your campaign during a lull in other school activities ensures your message isn’t lost in the noise of other fundraisers or events. You want people’s full attention when you launch the campaign, so avoid launching during busy or high-stress periods when they may be less receptive.

For most performing arts programs, the ideal time to launch a fundraiser is early fall (September/October). This allows you to build momentum for the upcoming season, take advantage of back-to-school excitement, and gather support for your shows before performances begin. If fall doesn’t work, January or February is another strong window, especially if you’re looking to refresh interest for the second half of the school year.

By launching at the right time—whether before your season opener, during a high-energy period, or as part of a year-end giving campaign—you’ll set your fundraising efforts up for success and keep your audience engaged and excited to support your program!

Ludus simplifies event ticketing and delights patrons. Our all-in-one suite of event management solutions has you covered from ticket sales to final curtain and everything in between. Thousands of organizations from K-12 schools to professional theaters to dance studios across the country have trusted Ludus to power their ticketing, marketing, fundraising, and registration needs for nearly a decade. For Ludus, we believe in bringing people together through shared experiences. Contact us today or book a demo to find out how Ludus can make your next event successful.