Making connections in the In-Between Times is a winning strategy.
Early in my career, I worked for a mentor who shared a piece of advice that has stayed with me for decades.
He said, "It's what you do when you don't have to do anything that puts you where you want to be before it's too late to do anything to get there."
The first time I heard it, it immediately resonated with me. Over the years, it has served as a compass during slower seasons, uncertain seasons, and those moments when it felt like there was no pressing deadline demanding my attention.
What I eventually learned was that success is often built during the quiet periods. The outcomes we hope to achieve rarely begin when the pressure arrives. They begin in the in-between times, when there is still time to prepare, build relationships, and create opportunities.
I think that is especially true for nonprofit organizations.
As we move into July, many organizations find themselves in a brief window between the first half of the year and the busy months ahead. Fall events have not yet arrived. Year-end fundraising feels distant. Board meetings may slow down. Program schedules often look a little lighter.
It can be tempting to enjoy the slower pace and simply wait for the next season to arrive.
But July may be one of the most important months of the year.
The organizations that enter the final quarter with momentum are often the ones that use July to strengthen relationships, prepare stories, and create opportunities before they become urgent.
"What we do when there is no immediate pressure often determines what becomes possible when the pressure arrives."
Use the Quiet Season to Strengthen Relationships
One of the most valuable things an organization can do this month is reconnect with supporters who have drifted away. A lapsed donor does not always represent a lost relationship. People experience life changes. Financial priorities shift. Family responsibilities increase. Sometimes they simply haven't heard from the organization in a while.
July is a wonderful time to make a few phone calls with no fundraising agenda attached. Reach out to former donors and thank them for their past support. Share a brief impact story or positive update about the organization's work. Ask how they are doing and listen carefully to what they share.
The purpose of the call is not to ask for a gift. The purpose is to remind people that relationships matter. Often, the strongest donor relationships are built during conversations when no one is asking for anything.
Create Opportunities for Legacy Conversations
July is also an ideal time to begin preparing for August's Make-A-Will Month. Many organizations wait until they are ready to discuss planned giving before introducing legacy conversations. In reality, those conversations often begin with education and awareness.
Consider inviting a local attorney, financial planner, or trust professional to speak about wills, trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning. The event can be simple, informative, and focused entirely on helping people understand the importance of having a plan in place for their families.
At the conclusion of the conversation, there is an opportunity to gently remind attendees that many people choose to include charitable organizations in their estate plans. For supporters who care deeply about your mission, a legacy gift creates an opportunity for their values and interests to continue making an impact long into the future.
Think Beyond Event Sponsorships
July is also an excellent time to review your sponsorship strategy. Too often, organizations begin looking for sponsors only when an event is approaching. A stronger approach is to first identify the assets your organization already possesses and consider how those assets create value for business partners.
Your social media audience, newsletter subscribers, website traffic, educational programs, volunteer network, and community reputation all represent meaningful opportunities for visibility and engagement. These assets can often be combined into sponsorship packages that provide year-round value rather than a single event recognition opportunity.
Many businesses are looking for ways to strengthen community connections and reach targeted audiences. Organizations that view sponsorship as a relationship rather than a transaction frequently uncover opportunities they had not previously considered.
Spend Time Face-to-Face
Summer also provides a natural opportunity to spend time face-to-face with the people who matter most to your mission. Coffee meetings, lunches, site visits, and informal gatherings can strengthen relationships with donors, volunteers, community leaders, board members, and business partners.
These conversations may not produce immediate results, but they create familiarity and trust. When future opportunities arise, people are more likely to engage with organizations that have invested time in building genuine relationships.
Start Collecting Stories Now
Finally, July is the perfect time to begin gathering stories for year-end communications. The most effective fundraising appeals help people see the difference their support makes. They connect donors to people, programs, and outcomes in meaningful ways.
As you move through the summer, pay attention to moments of transformation. Collect participant stories, volunteer experiences, donor testimonials, photographs, and program outcomes. Ask yourself what changed because your organization was present and doing its work.
When year-end fundraising season arrives, these stories will become some of your most valuable communication assets.
Momentum Is Built Before It Is Needed
The common thread running through each of these activities is preparation. None of them feel particularly urgent today. Yet each one has the potential to influence what happens in the months ahead.
That is why my mentor's advice continues to resonate with me all these years later.
What we do when there is no immediate pressure often determines what becomes possible when the pressure arrives.
July gives nonprofit leaders a chance to prepare before they have to prepare, to strengthen relationships before they need support, and to gather stories before they need to tell them. And that may be one of the most valuable opportunities the entire year provides.
Free Resource: Download the July Momentum Planning Guide and begin preparing for a stronger fourth quarter today.
About Angie Thompson
Angie Thompson is a fundraising strategist, storyteller, and founder of Angie Thompson Consulting LLC. She works with nonprofits, community organizations, and mission-driven leaders to strengthen donor engagement, develop fundraising strategies, create meaningful content, and build momentum through relationship-centered communication.
Drawing on experience in philanthropy, communications, program development, and creative storytelling, Angie helps organizations connect people to purpose through stories, conversations, and strategic planning. She is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits, and Rotary International.
Learn more at AngieThompsonConsulting.com.
A Note from Angie
The strategies shared in this article reflect lessons learned through years of fundraising, communications, program development, and nonprofit leadership. While no single approach works for every organization, my hope is that these ideas encourage thoughtful conversations, stronger relationships, and greater momentum for the work you do.
Disclaimer & Copyright
The information presented in this article is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, financial, tax, or professional fundraising advice. Organizations are encouraged to consult qualified legal, accounting, financial, and philanthropic professionals regarding their specific circumstances.
© 2026 Angie Thompson Consulting LLC. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to share this article in its entirety with attribution. If you wish to republish, excerpt, or reproduce this content, please contact Angie Thompson Consulting LLC for permission.