3 Powerful Ways to Re-Engage LYBUNT and SYBUNT Donors Before Year-End

As the year wraps up, there’s one group of donors you don’t want to overlook: your LYBUNT (Last Year But Unfortunately Not This Year) and SYBUNT (Some Year But Unfortunately Not This Year) supporters. 

These are folks who believed in your mission enough to donate in the past but, for whatever reason, haven’t given this calendar year.

The good news? With the right outreach, many of these donors can be inspired to renew their support and continue making a difference. 

Here are three effective ways to reach out with a personal touch, keeping them connected to your organization and mission.

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1. Personalize Communications with Hand-Addressed Appeals and Notes

First up: personalization. In an age where digital communications are the norm, a hand-addressed envelope and a short, personalized note can make a huge impression. 

Taking the time to handwrite even a few words on the end-of-year appeal letter shows LYBUNT and SYBUNT donors that they’re more than just names in a database—they’re valued partners in your mission.

Example:

Imagine you work for a Catholic retreat center. One of your LYBUNT donors, Sarah, contributed last year to support scholarships for retreat participants. This year, when you send her end-of-year appeal, you include a brief, handwritten note at the bottom of the letter:

“Sarah, thank you again for helping us bring young people closer to Christ through retreats last year. Your support made a real impact, and we’d be so grateful to have you with us again this year!”

This small gesture shows Sarah that you remember her, and it ties her support to a specific impact she’s made in the lives of others.

Why It Works:

Handwritten addresses get mailings opened. Most mail is mass-produced with a computer-printed address. When your supporter pulls a hand-addressed envelope out of the mailbox, they are going to know that it is something important and worth their time to open.

Handwritten notes add a personal touch that emails and printed letters can’t replicate. By reminding past donors of the specific ways they helped in the past, you create a natural bridge to invite them to continue their support.

2. Reach Out with a Thank-You Call and Request for Continued Support

When it comes to LYBUNT and SYBUNT donors, sometimes a phone call can go a long way. 

These aren’t cold calls—they’re thank-you calls with a personal touch that acknowledges past generosity and invites continued involvement. 

Taking a moment to thank them and share your gratitude can rekindle their connection and may inspire them to give again before the year ends.

Example:

Suppose your organization supports a network of Catholic pro-life ministries. One of your SYBUNT donors, Joseph, gave a meaningful gift two years ago to support a new outreach program. This December, you give him a call:

“Joseph, this is Maria from St. Anthony’s Catholic Pro-Life Network. I’m calling to personally thank you for your past support for our outreach program. We’ve been able to expand our services, and we’re continuing to serve more families than ever. Would you consider partnering with us again this year to keep that growth going?”

This call shows Joseph that you haven’t forgotten his past generosity. It also gives him a concrete way to make a difference now.

Why It Works:

Phone calls give you a chance to engage directly, answer any questions, and communicate your gratitude in a genuine way. For LYBUNT and SYBUNT donors, who already have a history with your organization, this personal touch can be a powerful way to invite renewed support.

3. Share an Impact Report or “Looking Back” Letter

Finally, let’s talk about impact reporting. Everyone wants to know that their donations made a difference, and sharing an impact report or a “looking back” letter with your LYBUNT and SYBUNT donors can do just that. This type of report highlights the work your organization has done over the past year and, more importantly, how donor support made that possible.

Example:

Let’s say you work for a Catholic school that offers tuition assistance to families in need. You put together a “looking back” letter to send out in December. 

The letter includes stories of students who received tuition assistance, along with a few photos from the school year. For someone like your past donor Maria, a retired teacher who gave to the fund last year, this report can be a wonderful reminder:

“Maria, because of generous supporters like you, 25 students received tuition assistance this year and have experienced a Catholic education that builds faith and academic excellence. We are incredibly grateful to have had you with us in this mission.”

By illustrating the impact of her previous gift, you show Maria exactly how her support changed lives, making it easy for her to consider renewing her gift.

Why It Works:

Impact reports help past donors feel connected to your mission by showing them tangible results. This approach is especially meaningful for LYBUNT and SYBUNT donors because it reminds them of what they’ve already accomplished and highlights the opportunity to be part of future impact.

Wrapping Up: A Year-End Opportunity to Build Lasting Connections

Re-engaging LYBUNT and SYBUNT donors isn’t about pushing for donations—it’s about rekindling a partnership that has already made a difference in the lives of others. By taking time to personalize your outreach, make thank-you calls, and share impact reports, you remind them of the value they bring to your mission.

The year-end season is the perfect time to invite these donors back into your work with a renewed sense of purpose and connection. So go ahead, make those personal touches, pick up the phone, and show your gratitude—it could be just the encouragement they need to say “yes” again!

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More of your donors will come back to give again next year if they feel appreciated. A quick, easy, and fun way to make sure they know you appreciate their gift is with a thank you call.

Not sure what to say when you call to thank a donor? No worries - we have a several tips + tricks that can help makes this a painless (maybe even fun!) task.

Download the script free HERE.