Summer Relationship Building: How to Keep Funders Engaged Between Grant Cycles
For many nonprofits, June signals the beginning of a seasonal slowdown. Programs may be transitioning, school partnerships are on break, and major grant deadlines are still a few months away. But while summer may feel like a quiet season, it’s actually a strategic time to focus on something just as important as submitting proposals: building and strengthening relationships with funders.
The nonprofits that thrive long-term are the ones that treat funders as partners—not just check writers. Cultivating these relationships when you’re not actively applying can lead to greater trust, easier renewal conversations, and even unexpected funding opportunities.
Here are four powerful ways to engage funders during the summer months:
1. Send a Mid-Year Impact Update
By June, your organization has likely accomplished a lot—but you may not be due to submit a formal report for months. This is the perfect moment to send an informal, mid-year update that reminds funders why their support matters.
Your update doesn’t need to be long or overly produced. Keep it simple and meaningful by including:
A brief message of appreciation
A few updated stats or milestones from your program
A short story, quote, or testimonial from someone impacted
One high-quality photo, if possible
Even if a funder hasn’t given this year, sharing your progress and appreciation can lay the groundwork for future support.
Pro Tip: Use a friendly subject line like “Summer Update from [Your Nonprofit]” or “Thanks to You, Here’s What We’ve Achieved So Far.”
2. Schedule a Mid-Year Check-In Call
One of the best ways to stand out with funders is to stay in touch outside of application deadlines. June is a great time to offer a short, conversational check-in—especially for funders you’ve received support from in the past or plan to reapply to in the fall.
These 20–30-minute calls are not pitches—they’re opportunities to:
Share what’s going well and what you’re learning
Ask if their funding priorities have shifted
Invite their thoughts or feedback
Show your commitment to transparency and partnership
Funders appreciate organizations that are proactive, humble, and honest. These touchpoints build trust and often lead to stronger, more enduring relationships.
Pro Tip: Come prepared with a few talking points and one thoughtful question. Follow up afterward with a thank-you email, and any documents or updates discussed.
3. Celebrate and Publicly Acknowledge Funders
The summer is full of natural moments for celebration: end-of-school-year events, summer programming launches, outdoor community events, and more. These are great opportunities to shine a light on your supporters.
Recognition doesn’t have to be extravagant. Consider:
Including their name in event signage or programs
Tagging them (with permission) in social media thank-you posts
Mentioning them in your summer newsletter
Listing them in your annual report or donor honor roll
Just like individual donors, institutional funders want to know their support is valued and seen. Simple acts of acknowledgment help funders feel more personally connected to your mission—and more likely to stay involved.
Pro Tip: If you’re hosting a summer event, consider inviting key funders for a tour or thank-you lunch, even if they’re not able to attend the full event.
4. Preview What’s Coming in the Fall
Fall is the busiest grant season of the year. Rather than waiting until September to reconnect with funders, use June to give them a quick preview of what’s ahead.
This could include:
A new program you plan to launch
A major campaign or initiative in development
Strategic priorities for the second half of the year
A heads-up about an upcoming proposal or reapplication
Even if you’re still in the planning phase, funders appreciate being kept in the loop. Giving them a preview now shows foresight and confidence—and gives you the chance to invite early feedback or interest.
Pro Tip: Include a “Looking Ahead” section in your mid-year update email that shares your fall goals and invites a follow-up conversation.
Final Thoughts
June may not be filled with deadlines, but it’s one of the most valuable times to deepen your relationships with funders. By focusing on stewardship—updates, conversations, recognition, and previews—you create a sense of connection and partnership that goes far beyond a single grant cycle.
At Greenhouse Grant Writing LLC, we believe strong funder relationships are the cornerstone of long-term grant success. Our digital toolkits and consulting services can help your team stay organized, thoughtful, and strategic in how you communicate with current and prospective funders year-round.
Need help crafting funder updates or planning a summer stewardship campaign? Let us help you build meaningful connections that lead to lasting support.
